How Often Should Wheel Balancing Be Done on a Car?
3 Answers
Wheel balancing inspection intervals are as follows: 1. There is no specific timeframe for how often wheel balancing should be performed. As long as the car does not pull to one side or vibrate, four-wheel balancing is not necessary. 2. Manufacturers conduct wheel balancing tests during vehicle assembly. If the vehicle starts to pull to one side or vibrate after some time of use, wheel balancing may be considered. Here is some additional information about wheel balancing: 1. Wheel balancing refers to the balance between the wheels when the vehicle is in motion, commonly achieved by adding balancing weights. 2. Wheel balancing applies to individual tires and aims to prevent the tire's center of gravity from shifting during rotation. 3. To perform wheel balancing, simply remove the tire, place it on a balancing machine, and observe the values displayed by the machine.
I've been driving for decades and always pay close attention to safety details. I usually get wheel balancing done every time I get new tires or once a year. It's a must when changing tires because new tires might be unbalanced, which can easily cause steering wheel vibration at high speeds. Once I neglected this, and when I hit 90km/h, the car shook violently—it was terrifying. The vibration isn't just uncomfortable; it also accelerates tire wear, increases fuel consumption, and can even affect braking performance. In areas with poor road conditions, especially where there are lots of potholes, I check more frequently, about every 5,000 kilometers. This small maintenance step can prevent major repair costs. I recommend all drivers make it a habit—don't wait for problems to arise before taking action. Doing it regularly makes driving much smoother.
I drive to work every day, and the roads in the city are uneven. I've found that it's necessary to check the wheel balance every 7,000 kilometers or every six months. This helps prevent steering wheel vibration and improves handling. It doesn't take much time—the shop technician can fix it in just a few minutes by adding small balancing weights. If you skip it, uneven wheel balance can cause uneven tire wear, leading to premature tire failure, which is much more expensive to repair. Last month, I neglected it, and my car started shaking at 60 mph on the highway, so I rushed back to get it fixed. Routine maintenance doesn't cost much and even saves fuel. I always note it in my maintenance schedule—it's really practical.
