Wheel Balancing at Sterling Tire & Auto
August 29, 2014
So you love your job, and your family life is great. Congratulations! You have achieved balance. But can you say the same for your wheels? Sterling Heights drivers can tell if their tires are out of balance by vibrations at higher speeds on Michigan expressways. If one of the front tires is out, you feel the vibration in the steering wheel. If it's a back tire, you'll feel the vibration in your seat.
Tires and wheels are pretty heavy. When a tire is mounted on a wheel at Sterling Tire & Auto, it is usually not perfectly balanced. So the service advisor will spin the tire on a machine to determine where it's too heavy. He will then place weights on the wheels in strategic locations to balance it out. When a tire is out of balance, it actually bounces down the road instead of rolling smoothly. Since the average size tire rotates at about 850 revolutions per minute at 60 MPH, it is actually slamming into the pavement 14 times a second. That's where you get your vibration.
Most Sterling Heights auto owners are surprised at how smoothly their car rides after balancing all four wheels.
Most high-quality tires sold in Sterling Heights hold their balance pretty well for drivers. They just get out of balance gradually with normal wear and tear. If you suddenly feel a vibration, it is probably because you lost a wheel balancing weight along the way. Definitely get a balance at Sterling Tire & Auto in Sterling Heights if you feel a vibration, change your rims or have a flat repaired. Putting off a needed balance job leads to excessive and dangerous tire wear, wear to your shocks, struts, steering and suspension parts. Wheel balancing not only improves your ride and handling, but also can save you some expensive repair bills and possibly an accident. Additionally, you will get better gas mileage.
Some Sterling Heights auto owners have their tires balanced at every rotation. Others do it every other time. Check your owners' manual for your requirements, or ask your friendly Sterling Tire & Auto tech. Doing this will put you on the path to mechanical wheel balance.
Need Service?
More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto
Catalytic Converter Replacement
August 24, 2025
Many of us have become aware of how important it is to keep our planets air clean, and your vehicle has a key component that helps do just that: the catalytic converter. Its in the exhaust system, and its job is to superheat unburned, harmful byproducts in the exhaust, so they dont get spewed ou... More
Go With the Flow (MAF Sensor Replacement)
August 17, 2025
A driver brought her vehicle into the shop the other day and told us how she was getting lousy fuel economy and that the engine was running rough. Plus, the Check Engine light was on. Our technician checked the code the engine had generated (why the Check Engine light was on) and found the prob... More
If You Drive Like a Maniac (Aggressive Driving is Bad for a Vehicle)
August 10, 2025
When someone mentions driving like a maniac, they're not talking about you, surely? Besides the safety issues of aggressive driving, you should know that your vehicle will last a lot longer if you'll just mellow out a little. Here are four traits good drivers follow if they want their vehicles t... More