Wheel Balancing
Having your tires balanced is important not only to the longevity of the tire, but to the safety of the driver and the performance of the car.
In order to keep tires at optimal safety and performance levels, wheel balancing is vital.
What problems do unbalanced tires cause?
Unbalanced tires cause road vibration, which leads to premature tire and suspension wear as well as driver fatigue.
When should tires be balanced?
When they are replaced, after any repair, and at least once a year. If there is any vibration or shimmy occurring they should also be balanced immediately.
Tire balancing will more than pay for itself in tire mileage, performance and comfort.
Tire Rotation
Since vehicle weight is not evenly distributed to all the tires, regular rotation is essential to maintain even tread wear.
Tire Rotation Methods
All-season tires
Rear axle tires are moved to the drive axle and crossed to opposite. The tires from the front axle are moved to the rear, but remain on the same sides. This is known as the ‘modified X’ pattern, and applies to most vehicles on the road.
Tires with directional design
Some tires, for example the Goodyear Eagle F1, are rotated differently. All tires remain on the same side of the vehicle and are rotated straight forward and straight back.
4WD vehicles
The first rotation of your tires is the critical. Remember to adjust tire pressures to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
Inspecting your vehicle
Check the wear patterns on your treads. Shoulder wear can indicate under-inflation, while wear to the center of the tread can mean over-inflation. If you’ve spotted a problem with your tires or if you feel you need to invest in new or used tires, bring your tires to us.