Is Wheel Balancing Necessary When Replacing All Four Tires?
2 Answers
Wheel balancing is necessary when replacing tires. Wheel balancing is also required under the following circumstances: 1. When installing new tires or after collision repairs. 2. When there is uneven wear on one side of the front or rear tires. 3. When experiencing heavy steering or floating/shaking sensations while driving. 4. When the vehicle tends to pull to the left or right during straight-line driving. 5. It is recommended to perform wheel balancing every 3 months, 6 months, or 10,000 kilometers for new vehicles. Additional information about wheel balancing: 1. Wheel balancing refers to the balance between wheels when the vehicle is in motion. 2. To prevent unbalanced conditions caused by uneven mass distribution in various parts of the vehicle, wheel balancing is required.
I used to not pay attention to wheel balancing when driving. Once, I installed four new tires without balancing them and immediately hit the highway. The steering wheel shook violently, scaring me into pulling over. Later, a mechanic explained that balancing is essential after tire replacement because new tires mounted on old rims may have slight weight imbalances, leading to high-speed vibrations, uneven tire wear, and premature suspension damage. That time, I spent a small amount to get the balancing done, which fixed the issue. Now, I always insist on balancing with every tire change—usually costing around 80 yuan—avoiding potential accidents and costly repairs that could run into thousands later. Neglecting it can cut tire lifespan by more than half and compromise driving comfort. Truly, a small expense prevents big troubles.
