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What is wheel balancing?

Wheels and tyres, as with any rotating object, need to be balanced in order to reduce vibration. A good example of this is when laundry is loaded into a washing machine unevenly, the drum is not correctly balanced, so vibrates. Similarly, wheel balancing ensures that the weight of the wheel and tyre is even around the axle.

Why is wheel balancing important?

You should always have your wheels balanced whenever you have new tyres fitted. Car tyres which are fitted on wheels that have not been properly balanced will wear very quickly and unevenly. This is due to the inconsistent points of friction between the tyre and the road, creating an effect like rubbing sandpaper on the tyre aggressively. Losing grip this way could be very dangerous and the vibration also makes the car’s ride very uncomfortable, possibly to a point of distraction that might lead to an accident.

How are wheels balanced?

Wheels are typically removed from a car before their balance is checked. They are placed in a specially-designed machine and spun to measure the vibration. Small offsetting weights are placed at points on the rim of the wheel based on results from the balancing machine. This is repeated until the machine reports that the wheel is balanced.

What causes wheel balancing problems?

• If your car’s tyres have been replaced and not balanced.
• If the height of your car has been altered without rebalancing the wheels.
• Items on the road can be hazardous if hit.
• Aging, worn or damaged parts can impact your car’s suspension and, therefore, its wheels.

What are the signs that a car needs wheel balancing?

• Your car’s tyres are wearing out quickly or unevenly.
• Your car feels though it is wobbling once it passes around 40mph.
• The steering wheel of your car starts shaking.

How long does wheel balancing take?

• Depending on the type of vehicle, wheel balancing takes between 30-60 minutes.

How much does wheel balancing cost?

• Depending on the type of vehicle, wheel balancing costs between £5-10 per wheel, although most garages include this in the price of the tyre if you bought it from them.