Is Wheel Balancing Necessary When Rotating Front and Rear Tires?
2 Answers
Wheel balancing is required when rotating front and rear tires. Generally, when performing tire rotation at a 4S shop, they will require wheel balancing to ensure maintenance quality. Not only is balancing necessary during tire rotation, but it's also required under the following circumstances: 1. After installing new tires or post-collision repairs. 2. When there's uneven wear on one side of the front or rear tires. 3. When experiencing heavy steering wheel 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 three months after purchasing a new car, or every six months or 10,000 kilometers.
As an experienced driver who frequently drives, I don't think wheel balancing is absolutely necessary when rotating front and rear tires. Having driven for over 20 years, I've found that as long as the wheels haven't been hit or damaged during removal, the original balance remains largely unaffected. You can try driving a short distance first - if there's no steering wheel vibration or vehicle wobble, you can save that money. However, if you feel instability at high speeds after rotation, or if the tires show uneven wear (like deeper tread on one side), then you should get them balanced. Regular tire rotation helps prevent uneven wear and extends tire life, which is part of my good car maintenance routine.
