Is Wheel Balancing Necessary For All Vehicles? Ask A TIRECRAFT Tech

Looking to save money on—or maybe even skip—wheel balancing services in 2023? You’re not alone!

According to a 2023 Leger study by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), two-third (66%) of drivers say “financial pressures” are now forcing them to make tough decisions about where to spend their maintenance budget, and for many drivers, wheel balancing is on the chopping block!

But not so fast. While some vehicle manufacturers do not include wheel balancing in their required maintenance plans, and some cars won’t need wheel balancing for months or even years, writing this service off entirely is a big mistake.

Read on to learn whether or not wheel balancing is necessary for your vehicle, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to schedule a free consultation and quote if you’re due.

Dear TIRECRAFT: Is Wheel Balancing Necessary For All Vehicles?

Balanced wheels are essential for ride comfort, tread longevity, and handling performance. If your wheels are out of balance, you may experience:

• Reduced fuel efficiency and tire life
• Extra wear on bearings, shock absorbers, and steering/suspension/braking systems
• Accelerated tread wear or loss of Limited Manufacturer’s warranty coverage.
• Compromised steering, increasing your risks of accidents, insurance hikes, and safety issues.

But while all wheels must be properly balanced, not all vehicles will require wheel balancing, at least not at first. As per the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro manual, “the tires and wheels were aligned and balanced at the factory to provide the longest tire life and best overall performance,” which means “adjustments to wheel alignment and tire balancing are not necessary on a regular basis.”

Thus, if you just rolled off the lot, you could probably hold off on any wheel balancing services for a while.

However, to suggest you will never need a wheel balancing service is simply not true. No vehicle stays factory-fresh forever, after all, and it doesn’t take much to upset the balance.

To catch minor wheel balancing issues before they turn into big problems, we generally recommend booking this service once per 20,000km or 12-months of driving—whatever comes first.

Additionally, you should book an immediate wheel balancing appointment if:

• You notice a considerable drop-off in ride quality. As per the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro owner’s manual, “some slight pull to the left or right, depending on the crown of the road and/or other road surface variations such as troughs or ruts, is normal” (p. 287). But if it seems excessive, your wheels may be out of balance.
• You notice uneven tire wear, or your tires start to squeal. Wheel balancing issues aren’t always the cause, but our experts can help you get to the bottom of it and ensure no serious damage is being done.
• You purchased a new set of tires. As per the 2022 Honda CR-V owner’s manual, “new tires and any that have been removed and reinstalled should be properly balanced” (p. 594).
• You recently experienced a collision or “rough ride.” Even minor collisions or rough rides over curbs, potholes, and speed bumps can knock your wheels out of balance.

Consult With A Wheel Balancing Expert: Contact TIRECRAFT

To get a free quote on your next wheel balancing service, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT! Every consultation is free, and our friendly experts are standing by to help you determine the best maintenance schedule for your unique vehicle and driving demands.

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