What is wheel balancing and why does it matter?
Wheel balancing is essential for safe, comfortable driving. It involves using a wheel balancing machine to measure whether the weight is unevenly distributed between the tyre and the rim. If it is, you'll often feel it as a shake or vibration in the steering wheel, commonly at 60-90 km/h. The imbalance is corrected by fitting small weights (one or more) to the inside of the rim and measuring again on the balancing machine until the imbalance has gone.
Why do wheels need balancing?
Uneven weight distribution between the tyre and the rim can arise for a number of reasons, for example:
• Impact damage to the rim, e.g. from hitting a kerb or a pothole
• Worn or damaged tyres
• Uneven wear due to incorrect wheel alignment
• Wear in the suspension or wheel components
• A weight has fallen off the inside of the rim
Wheel balancing is not the same as wheel alignment
Wheel balancing is often confused with wheel alignment or steering alignment. Wheel alignment is about the angles and direction of the wheels, whereas balancing is about the weight distribution of the tyre and rim. At MAX1 we offer wheel balancing – not wheel alignment – but we can point you in the right direction if alignment is needed.
Make your tyres last longer – the easy way
To ensure even wear and get the most out of your tyres, it's recommended to rotate them regularly – about every 10,000 km. That means moving the front tyres to the rear axle and the rear tyres to the front axle, as front tyres often wear faster. All the tyres should also be balanced at the same time. This means better safety, more enjoyable driving and lower tyre costs in the long run.
One damaged tyre? Make sure the others are OK too
If one tyre on a drive axle (e.g. front or rear) is damaged, it's important that the other tyre on the same axle is the same size and not much more worn. Tyres of different sizes or with very uneven wear can affect stability, suspension and even the drivetrain. That's why it's usually recommended to replace both tyres on the same axle if one is damaged or badly worn.
👉 Does your car vibrate or shake?
Book wheel balancing at MAX1 – a quick, simple and professional service at a fair price.