Is Wheel Balancing Necessary When Replacing a Tire?

[StDaniela]

In general, wheel balancing is required whenever the tire system (tire or wheel rim) has been replaced or repaired. Additionally, for some vehicles that have been in use for an extended period, the "wheel balancing weights" may fall off, leading to an imbalance in the tire's weight distribution. In such cases, wheel balancing is necessary. Below is some relevant information about wheel balancing: 1. Wheel balancing involves correcting the balance of the wheel configuration by adding different weights at various positions, ensuring that the car tires operate in a concentric motion. This makes driving at high speeds smoother and safer. 2. Issues with wheel balancing typically become apparent only during high-speed rotation. If wheel balancing is not performed, it can cause vibrations during high-speed driving. If the front wheels are not properly balanced, the tires may wobble side to side at high speeds, leading to steering wheel vibrations. In severe cases, this can cause numbness in the palms. If the rear wheels are unbalanced, high-speed driving can result in body sway, posing safety risks. If all four wheels are unbalanced, the entire vehicle may experience more intense vibrations than usual during driving.