The Importance of Balancing and Rotating Your Tires
Your tires take a beating and replacing them frequently gets expensive. Regular rotations and balances improve their longevity, so you can get the most out of your investment. Including those services in your preventative maintenance helps you maintain the structural integrity of your tires and stay safe while you’re driving.
Benefits of Regular Tire Balances and Rotations
Even tread wear: Each tire wears differently based on the position on your vehicle. Tire balancing corrects uneven weight distribution that alters tread patterns. Switching tire positioning allows them to wear at a similar rate, so one tire doesn’t sustain more damage than the others.
Better handling: Balancing your tires prevents vibrations in your frame and steering wheel, especially at higher speeds. Evenly balanced tires also improve your vehicle’s steering response. Tire rotations help maintain cornering stability and braking performance.
Extended service life: Aside from preventing uneven tread wear, tire balances and rotations improve the longevity of your tire’s components including belts and sidewalls that maintain structural integrity. That helps maximize tread depth over time.
Improved fuel efficiency: Tire wear can increase rolling resistance which decreases fuel efficiency. Scheduling a rotation and balance allows your tires to move more efficiently and reduce heat buildup that also contributes to accelerated deterioration.
What’s the Difference Between a Tire Balance and Rotation?
Tire rotation: A technician removes and replaces your tires in a specific pattern during a rotation. They’re rotated front to back and left to right to prevent irregular weight distribution caused by drivetrain forces and steering.
Tire balance: Once removed, tires are placed on a spinning machine to check for imbalances in the wheel assembly. Small metal weights are attached to the rim to distribute its mass until the tire rotates evenly.
Signs Your Tires Need Balancing and Rotating
- Excessive tread wear on specific parts of your tires
- Scalloped or feathered edges on the outer tread
- Steering wheel or seat vibration at high speeds
- Vehicle pulling
- Increased loss of tire pressure
- Droning or humming noises during operation
- Loss of traction
Consequences of Neglecting Regular Rotations and Balances
High mileage, rough roads and poor driving habits can increase tire deterioration. Your front tires tend to wear faster than the rear ones, so a lack of rotation and balance may result in replacing each tire at different times. You may also strain your steering and suspension components as vibration caused by imbalanced tires can damage shocks, struts and wheel bearings.
Tires with uneven wear also have poor road contact, so you might experience longer stopping distances and braking inefficiencies. That can prove dangerous while driving on slippery roads or attempting defensive maneuvers.
How Often Should I Get My Tires Balanced and Rotated?
Rotations should be completed every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or during every other oil change. Get your tires balanced after a new installation or if you’ve recently hit a pothole or curb. You should also schedule service as soon as you notice cupped tread wear. You may require more frequent rotations and balances if you frequently drive over rough roads or carry heavy cargo.
Make Your Tires a Priority
Bauer Built’s tire technicians have the expertise to get the job done efficiently. We follow manufacturers’ recommendations on rotation patterns to distribute the tire weight evenly and reduce tread differentiation.
We also offer computerized tire balancing to pinpoint the imbalance and apply the exact weight where it’s needed. Our tire rotation and balance services can enhance the service life of your tires and optimize fuel efficiency. Most importantly, you’ll be safer on the road.
Find a Bauer Built location near you and schedule your tire service.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog
