Is it acceptable to skip wheel balancing for the rear tires?

[GrahamLynn]

Rear tires must not skip wheel balancing; failure to do so may result in steering wheel vibration and abnormal tire wear. Below is an introduction to wheel balancing: 1. Automotive wheel balancing refers to the process of eliminating vibrations and additional force couples caused by unbalanced mass during wheel rotation. 2. Dynamic balancing refers to the asymmetric weight distribution generated by the forces when the tire rotates, typically occurring at higher speeds. In tire factories, wheels are tested on a balancing machine where the tire and wheel assembly is accelerated to 300 RPM or higher, and sensors measure the imbalance forces as the tire rotates.

[McKaleb]

Last time I went to the shop for wheel balancing, they only did the front wheels and left the rear wheels untouched. As a result, when driving on the highway, the whole car was shaking back and forth, especially the rear end which felt extremely unstable. The tires wore out severely, with one side thick and the other thin. Later, I had to spend nearly a thousand more to replace them. Experts say that unbalanced rear wheels can also cause vibrations, affect vehicle handling, and make the car prone to skidding in rainy conditions or at high speeds, increasing the risk of accidents. So now I never cut corners—every time I change tires or do maintenance, I insist on getting all four wheels balanced to ensure safety comes first. There are no small matters when it comes to driving safety; even a slight imbalance can lead to disaster. It's much better to do it all preventively early on.

[LilahLee]

As a cost-conscious car owner, I used to think saving money by only doing front wheel balancing while neglecting the rear wheels seemed economical in the short term. However, it turned out to be more costly in the long run. Last time I tried this approach, within just one month, I noticed uneven tread wear and slight bulging on the rear tires, which cost me over 800 yuan to replace. Fuel consumption also increased slightly, and when combined with subsequent bearing repair costs, the total expense was several hundred yuan more than a full wheel balancing service would have been. Therefore, I recommend performing wheel balancing on all four wheels – it extends tire lifespan and saves both money and hassle in the long term. Regular four-wheel balance checks are a preventive investment with high returns.

[VanJoshua]

As someone with years of driving experience, the principle of dynamic balancing is to evenly distribute the weight of the tires. The consequences of not doing it for the rear wheels may not be obvious, but they still exist. For example, unbalanced rear wheels can accumulate vibrations, affect vehicle stability, accelerate the aging of suspension components, and even cause bearing damage. It is recommended to perform four-wheel dynamic balancing every time the tires are rotated or newly installed to ensure smooth driving. Don't think the rear wheels are a small matter—the entire system relies on balance to support safety. Simply put, doing all wheels makes driving more stable.