Is It Normal for New Car Wheels to Have Lead Weights?

[VanAna]

It is normal for new car wheels to have lead weights. These are added by the manufacturer during production when the tire's dynamic balance is found to be unstable. For the tire and rim assembly, the mass cannot be perfectly evenly distributed, so when it rotates, it tends to create vibrations relative to the rotational axis. The added lead weights are made of lead alloy, measured in grams, such as 5g, 10g, 15g, etc. Each weight has a steel hook that can be clipped onto the edge of the wheel rim. Tire dynamic balance testing method: Tires should undergo regular dynamic balance checks using a dynamic balance tester. Tire balance is divided into dynamic balance and static balance. Dynamic imbalance can cause the wheel to wobble, leading to wave-like wear on the tire, while static imbalance can cause bumps and jumps, often resulting in flat spots on the tire. Purpose of tire dynamic balancing: Dynamic balance refers to the tire and wheel assembly as a whole, while wheel alignment pertains to the entire suspension system. These are different components. Therefore, regular balance checks not only extend tire life but also improve driving stability, preventing accidents caused by tire wobbling or jumping at high speeds, which could lead to loss of control.