Is wheel balancing necessary after installing new tires?
2 Answers
Wheel balancing is necessary after installing new tires. Generally, any replacement or repair of the tire system requires wheel balancing because prolonged use may lead to the detachment of balancing weights, causing an imbalance in the tire's weight distribution. The specific steps for wheel balancing are: 1. Remove the original balancing weights before performing the balancing; 2. Use a specialized wheel balancing machine to measure the weight distribution of the wheel; 3. Add appropriately weighted balancing blocks in the corresponding positions. Situations that require wheel balancing include: 1. After installing new tires or repairing damage from a collision; 2. Uneven wear on one side of the front or rear tires; 3. The steering wheel feels heavy or vibrates while driving; 4. The car pulls to the left or right when driving straight.
Last time I got new tires, the shop recommended a wheel balance, and I agreed without thinking. In the following days, the steering wheel didn’t shake at all—it felt rock solid. Wheel balancing involves attaching small lead weights to the wheel to ensure even weight distribution. If skipped, the tire might become unbalanced, leading to vibrations at high speeds. Not only could the steering wheel shake like a sieve, but the tire would also wear unevenly and wear out prematurely. In my early years of car ownership, I didn’t know this and skipped balancing after a tire change. On the highway, the car wobbled like it was falling apart, and my hands went numb after long drives. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to get balancing with every new tire—it’s a small cost that’s totally worth it, avoiding bigger headaches and even extending tire life. I’d recommend everyone make it a routine. It’s different from wheel alignment—it’s just about balance and doesn’t take much effort. Don’t DIY it; leave it to the pros. Usually takes 10-20 minutes, quick and easy.
