Balanced tires are vital when it comes to attentive and safe driving. You may need the help of an expert because improper alignment can cause damage to your wheel assembly, bearings, and shocks. Furthermore, the four tires keep you grounded and moving on the road. The ultimate goal is to make sure that when the wheel is mounted on the axle, the weight pressed on should settle evenly around the axle. You know that your tires are out of balance when there is an uneven vibration while driving and worse, on a smooth road. The average tire balancing cost is $40 and will range from $15 to $75 depending on which location you visit and what warranty is offered. You should always keep an eye open for coupons available for this service as you can get it as low as $14.99 with a lifetime warranty from Pep Boys. The cost to mount and balance tires might be reduced or free if you also purchase tires.
If the steering wheel vibrates, it is most likely that the front tires are not in a proper alignment. The intensity of vibration should signal the need to have your tires balanced. Excess pressure is put on specific portions of a wheel if the tires run out of balance. You will notice excessive wear on a particular area of the tire. If this is not solved in time, the pounded tire may go flat unannounced.
How Much Does It Cost To Mount And Balance Tires?
| Service Center | Services Included | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pep Boys | Pressure Check | Lifetime | $14.99 |
| Goodyear | None | 24,00 Miles | $49.99 |
| Americas Tire | Pressure Check | None | $30 |
| Firestone | Pressure Check | Lifetime | $65 |
| Local Shops | None | None | ~$50 |
| WalMart | None | Lifetime | $36 |
How To Balance Your Tires
If you are familiar the mechanical parts of the car, it may prove to be a simple task. You need to remove any weights still present on the wheel. These additional weights make it harder to balance the tire due to an excess calculated mass. Lower the tire onto the balancer and let it settle into a position.
Push the tire softly and allow it to spin in the balancer. It should settle in an apparent manner where the lighter side will be on the upper side, and the heavier side will be drawn down. Since the human mind cannot just make a point visually, you will need to draw the lightest point with a visible mark only after the wheel comes into a stationary position.
This is the part where you will need to retrieve back the wheel weights initially removed. Place them on the inside of the tire directly below the mark. To check if you have used the right amount of weight, you have to turn the wheel slightly and watch it stand at the 3 o’clock position. You then have to keep adjusting the weights in the tire until the tire remains stationary after a turn all the way around.
After the weights are in place, you can detach the tire from the balancer and place it back on the car, tighten up the nuts and lower the jack. In the case where you are not sure whether the tire is balanced, you can seek help where there seems to be a hitch.
According to the mechanical experts, tires should regularly be balanced every 10,000 miles. Moreover, it is highly advisable to have your tires balanced every single time you replace any of the tires.
Although you can balance the tires at the comfort of your home garage, you need to have the right tools and machinery to achieve the perfect results. However, the cost charged for balancing tires isn’t as expensive compared to the weight of the benefits retrieved.
However, there are a few misunderstandings that come up with reasons behind a balancing procedure. Your tires may be worn out; hence balancing will not solve the hitch. Until you replace the tires with new ones, you will have an uneasy ride and eventually you will need to change the damaged tires. Sometimes the vibration continues even after the tires are balanced. It is advisable that you take your car to an expert. Let them check for the probable causes and fix the problem.
