Among the gamut of tire repair services, tire balancing is one of the least understood. It’s often confused with wheel alignment and rotation, but its process and purpose are different. As a car owner, here is a closer look at what this service entails and why you need it.

What It Means

Balancing your tires is akin to a tuneup for the wheel-tire set. This type of tire repair addresses the issue of imbalanced tires by correcting the uneven weight distribution in the wheels. Between the tires and wheels is a strip of weights that maintain balance around the wheel’s circumference.

Daily wear and tear cause these added weights to shift and get out of place, resulting in the imbalance. The disparity in weight distribution can also be the result of manufacturing imperfections.

Why Get Your Tires Balanced

Tire balancing is a routine maintenance task that many drivers skip or forget, thinking it’s the same as wheel alignment. Alignment corrects the angle of the wheels to ensure that they point in the right direction. Balancing, on the other hand, adjust the weights for equal distribution as the tire rotates.

An out-of-balance tire is not only inconvenient but also dangerous. Driving on an imbalanced tire—whether at the front or rear wheel—causes vibrating or shaking, which can make you lose control of the vehicle at high speeds.

It leads to excessive tire wear as well, which can cause sudden blowouts. Apart from the driving dangers, unbalanced tires strain the engine and drivetrain, causing increased fuel consumption.

How It Works

Balancing requires precision as it involves small adjustments, otherwise not possible to an untrained eye. Tire repair shops typically offer this service, using a machine to identify imbalances.

A technician attaches the wheel with a mounted tire to a balancing machine, which continuously spins the set to determine where to adjust, add more, and rebalance. This process repeats until the weight gets equally distributed.

For the best results on tire balancing, turn to the experts at G & J Auto Center. Located in Columbia, MO, they’ve provided a range of quality tire repairs, such as rotations and wheel alignments, to motorists in and around Boone County since 1995. They also offer routine maintenance, including oil changes and engine tuneups. Call (573) 474-5819 to set an appointment or visit their website for more information.