Back to all

Round and Round (Wheel Balancing)

April 20, 2025

In a perfect world, all wheels and tires would be perfectly round and weigh exactly the same at every point of the wheel.  Unfortunately, they're not, and if they're out of balance, they can reduce the lifespan of your tires, make your vehicle shake like a carnival ride, and maybe even damage a few suspension parts along the way.  You don't want that!

Wheel balancing, sometimes known as tire balancing, is a process by which a technician makes sure your tire/wheel assembly has evenly distributed weight.  If it isn't, it can give your ride bad vibrations.  If you feel your vehicle's steering wheel shaking, it can mean unbalanced wheels in the front. If you can feel a vibration in your seats, it could be unbalanced rear wheels.

In addition to your vehicle vibrating at higher speeds, there are other signs that your wheels are out of balance. You may see uneven tread wear, or you may notice you aren't getting the kind of fuel economy you used to. 

When you experience these problems, bring your vehicle in, and we can put your wheels on a machine designed to detect any imbalance.  The technician will start your wheels spinning, and a computer will determine how much weight is needed where.  Then, the technician can add small weights on the inside or outside of your wheel rim to precisely balance out the uneven weight.  When the wheel is balanced correctly, it will spin evenly and smoothly.

Sometimes your vehicle will hit a pothole or object in the road that dislodges one of those weights, which can throw that wheel out of balance again.  If so, you'll have to bring it in to have that corrected

Some drivers confuse wheel balancing with wheel alignment. Alignment is making sure the wheels are perpendicular to the road and parallel with each other.  Sometimes your vehicle will need both balancing and alignment done at the same time.

No vibrations are good vibrations when it comes to your wheels.  Bring your vehicle to us, and we'll perform a balancing act to keep your vehicle riding smoothly down the road.

Tuffy Amherst
101 N Leavitt Road
Amherst, Ohio 44001
440-988-9402
http://www.tuffyamherst.com

More articles from Tuffy Amherst - Auto Repair Center

Tuffy Amherst Advice on What to Pour into Your Vehicle

February 15, 2026

Changes in vehicle design and manufacture have resulted in changed fluid requirements for our vehicles. With the sophistication of engines, transmissions, differentials, etc., it's best for Amherst residents to always use the proper type of fluid for their vehicle. Using incorrect fluids can act... More

Air Conditioning Maintenance at Tuffy Amherst in Amherst

February 8, 2026

Warm weather or cold, Amherst drivers still need to think about their vehicle's air conditioning. Most Amherst people don't service their air conditioning until after it fails. At Tuffy Amherst, we can advise you on your vehicle manufacturers preventive maintenance schedules for air conditioning... More

No Fuel-ing! (Fuel Filter Replacement)

February 1, 2026

Your vehicle has a few filters you might be somewhat familiar with. Theres the oil filter that removes impurities from your engines oil, and a couple of different kinds of air filters that prevent contaminants from getting into the engine and the cabin. But you may not know that your vehicle als... More