Maintenance February 26, 2020
If you own a car, you’ve probably heard about the importance of wheel alignment and wheel balancing. Both of these services extend tire life and improve handling performance, but they shouldn’t be confused for the same thing!
So, what is the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing? Keep reading to find out.
What is wheel alignment and balancing?Wheel Alignment
A wheel alignment refers to an adjustment of your vehicle’s suspension (the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels) to make sure the wheels are positioned correctly relative to the road.
There are three types of angles adjusted during a wheel alignment:
Camber: The inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from the front of the car.
Toe: The inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from above the vehicle.
Caster: The angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a tire alignment. Without proper alignment, your wheels will resist steering commands and your tires will wear unevenly. Regular alignments will help your tires perform to the best of their ability and last longer.
Wheel Balancing
Wheel balancing refers to an adjustment of any weight imbalances in a tire/wheel. An out-of-balance tire causes a shaky, uneven ride. If left untreated, this uneven distribution of pressure and weight increases the wear and tear on your tires, forcing you to replace them more often than necessary.
To balance your tires, a technician will dismount the wheels from the vehicle and put them onto a special balancing machine. The machine spins the tire at high speeds to determine where there are imbalances. Then, the technician mounts small wheel weights to the tire and wheel assembly to correct the imbalances.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel Balancing
Read: What Pothole Damage Can Do to Your Car
What are the symptoms?Wheel Alignment
Does the sensation remind you of saw teeth?Wheel Balancing
Wheel Alignment
The cost of a wheel alignment varies depending on the repair shop and the vehicle, but it’s typically between $100-$200.
At Virginia Tire & Auto, we use cutting-edge technology from Hunter Engineering to accurately evaluate and adjust the angles of your vehicle’s wheels.
Computerized Alignment service at Virginia Tire & Auto costs $99.99, and Premium Alignment service costs $159.99. Both services come with a 6-month, 6,000-mile warranty.
A Computerized Alignment is fine for most cars, but a Premium Alignment is required for European cars because of their complex steering, suspension and computer systems.
Wheel Balancing
A typical wheel balance service costs anywhere from $15–$50 per tire.
At Virginia Tire & Auto, we offer two types of tire balancing: standard balancing and Road Force Balancing. Standard balancing costs $16 per tire and addresses any up-and-down imbalances. It comes with a 6-month, 6,000-miles warranty.
Road Force Balancing uses specialized equipment to solve balancing issues that a standard balance cannot fix. It costs $32 per tire and comes free with any tire purchase at Virginia Tire & Auto.
And, barring any damage to the wheel assembly, you’ll only need to get a Road Force Balance once in the life of the tire.
Similar to most car maintenance services, there is no absolute answer to how often you should get an alignment or tire balance. There are a lot of factors to consider, including how frequently you drive your vehicle, the quality of the roads you drive on, and the quality of your tires.
You should always check your vehicle owner’s manual to find out what the manufacturer recommends. But, generally, wheel balancing is typically required more often than wheel alignment.
A good rule of thumb is to have your wheel alignment and balance checked every 12,000–15,000 miles or once a year (unless you’ve gotten a Road Force Balance service). You should also get your alignment checked and wheels balanced anytime you install new tires. Doing so will help you cut down on costly repairs and fuel costs and give you peace of mind on the road.
Every tire purchase at Virginia Tire & Auto comes with tires&, our easy-installation and worry-free driving package, which helps you save on wheel alignment and balance services. Tires& includes Road Force Balancing, which is good for the life of the tire, as well as a free alignment check.
For the best alignment and balancing service with industry-leading equipment, trust the tire experts at Virginia Tire & Auto. Drop by your local store for service or schedule a check-in time online anytime.
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.
That vibration you feel while driving down the highway could be a few things, but if you’re lucky it won’t be related to that curb you hit at Starbucks this morning. Your car could be out of alignment, you could have a damaged tire, or, more likely, your tires could be out of balance.
When this happens, the little weights attached to the tire either aren’t doing their jobs properly or are just in the wrong spot.
While it’s not the most serious problem you can have, driving on imbalanced tires can cause a host of other issues, not the least of which is accelerated wear and tear on the rubber. Most people head to a tire shop when they notice the vibrations that could be coming from an out-of-balance tire, but that’s not totally necessary if you have the right tools.
In this post, The Drive’s info editors break down tire balancing and talk about why it’s important. We’ll also get into how you can do the job at home and why you might want to. The bottom line is that, no matter how you go about dealing with tire balancing, it’s best not to ignore the problem. Your tires, and ultimately your passengers, will thank you for keeping them balanced and turning comfortably.
Most shops use computers to determine proper balancing., DepositphotosTire balancing involves a good pair of shoes, a hushed crowd, and a flaming ring.
That’d be fun for us to watch you try to pull off, but it’s not actually what balancing tires is all about. Your car has wheels, obviously, which have tires. In order to spin and ride smoothly, the tires need to have the vehicle’s weight evenly distributed around their circumference. This is done in a few steps by a tire shop:
You. It’s your fault. That’s the short answer, but the longer answer here is that normal driving over rough roads can cause the tire to go out of balance. In other cases, tires just don’t wear evenly, which can have nothing to do with the driver’s behavior at all. Sometimes, tire manufacturers let small defects slip past quality control, which can cause them to wear more in one place over another, and sometimes they’re just not installed properly. Even a tiny weight difference can make a big difference in how a vehicle feels as it rolls down the road.
Unlike some vehicle maintenance issues that tend to hide until the problem gets out of hand, you’ll know when it’s time to get a tire balance or at least a check-up.
An imbalance in the tire will cause it to wobble and vibrate as the wheel starts to rotate. The faster the rotation, the more intense the vibration. If you feel a vibration in the steering wheel, that’s probably related to an issue with the front tires’ balance, but a vibration that can be felt in your seat likely indicates an issue with rear-tire balance.
You can, but it’ll take some equipment that you probably don’t have just hanging out at home. You’ll need a tire balancer, which can tell you where to place weights on the tire to balance out heavy spots.
There is a way to balance your tires without removing them from the vehicle, but it involves an annoying process of trial and error that won’t be for everyone. For that reason, we’re going to stick with recommending a balancing device.
When we say tires, we’re referring specifically to the rubber, not to the wheels themselves. We’ll note when the wheel is involved, but for most topics in this post, we’re only talking about the tires.
Balance refers to the tires’ ability to rotate smoothly without undesirable vibrations. Due to variations in manufacturing technologies and damage that could occur during shipping and handling, a tire can be heavier on one side or another for various reasons.
When we say rotations, we're talking specifically about tire and wheel rotation.
This is different from your engine’s rotations per minute (RPM), which is a mechanical system that doesn’t have anything to do with tires.
Weights are exactly what they sound like. They are placed at specific spots around a tire to ensure that any heavy spots have a counterbalance to even them out on the other side of the tire.
A pro can have your tire and wheel balanced in no time., DepositphotosYou’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!
A. Well, you can, but you won't be comfortable or safe while doing it. An out-of-balance tire can make your car’s ride unbearable with vibrations, and it could affect safety if it’s distracting enough to take your attention off the road.
A. Many tire shops offer free balancing as part of tire packages that are purchased from them, but you’ll have to pay for it in other cases. On average, plan to spend between $15 and $75, depending on your vehicle, the tires, and the shop.
A. You should have your tires checked at each oil change, which is generally every 5,000 to 15,000 miles, to avoid letting a problem fester that could cause wear issues or safety problems with your vehicle. This doesn’t mean you’ll need a balance every time. It just means that you should be keeping on top of what’s happening with your tires.
Is Tire Balance Different Than Alignment?A. Yes. Alignment refers to your vehicle’s wheels and how they’re positioned in relation to the road. Alignment jobs typically adjust things like camber, which is the angle at which the wheels sit on a car.
A. Tires that are out of balance can cause improper wear and may lead to the engine needing to generate more power to keep them spinning at a consistent speed.
We’re here to be expert guides in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles.
Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)
Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)
Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)
GoPlus Portable Wheel Balancer
Mayflower Heavy Duty Wheel and Tire Balancer
CKAuto .25oz Tire Weights
Boulder Tools Tire Repair Kit
Is it time to switch from winter to summer tires? Come to our car service to change tires by prior online appointment.
Shesteryonka car services are equipped with modern Italian balancing equipment RAVAGLIOLIM and a tire changer CORCHI , which allows tire fitting for wheels ranging in size from 12 "to 30", including low-profile tires and Run Flat tires.
nine0004
In addition to tire fitting and wheel balancing, you will receive high-quality services for all types of repairs, including puncture and side cut repair, as well as washing and cleaning wheels. Service centers "Shesterenka" have the status of certified services that have the right to perform tire fitting and wheel balancing.
| Name of work | Cost of works | |||||||
| R12-14 | R15 | R16 | R17-18 | R19+ comm. transport | ||||
| light | implemented | easy | implemented | easy | off-road | |||
| Wheel - remove/attach | 90 | 100 | 120 | 110 | 150 | 140 | 170 | 170 |
| Wheel - balancing | 90 | 100 | 120 | 110 | 150 | 140 | 170 | 170 |
| Wheel assembly | 80 | 90 | 100 | 90 | 130 | 120 | nine0048 130150 | |
| Wheel - removal | 80 | 90 | 100 | 90 | 130 | 120 | 130 | 150 |
| Wash wheel | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | nine0032
| Wheel - inflation | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Chamber - repair | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | - | - | - |
One wheel conversion (excl. freight cost) | 340 | 380 | 440 | 400 | 560 | 520 | 600 | 640 |
| 4 / 6 wheel conversion (without cost of freight) | 1360 | 1520 | 1760 | 1600 | 2240 | 2080 | 2400 | 2560/3840 |
| Tire - repair (harness installation) | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 |
| Tire - repair (mushroom installation) | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 |
| Tire - repair (cord patch installation) | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Tire - repair (side cut up to 3 cm) | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 300 | 300 | 300 |
| Seat - cleaning | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Seat - sealing | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Disc check (balance) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Copper grease treatment of the hub (1 wheel) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Installing a non-return valve | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Pressure sensor installation | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
Please note that the price is indicated in rubles and is valid at the time of publication.
You can get more complete information by contacting the managers of the Shesteryonka service centers. nine0005
Certificates of Shesterenka service centers
Copyright © 2006 — 2023 "Gear"
Privacy policy
All rights reserved.
All logos and trademarks displayed on the site are the property of their respective owners.
State-of-the-art Hunter Road Force machines and innovative Haweka adapters for precision balancing
24/7 With 3 months warranty nine0005
Online appointment Calculator
The Tire-Box uses a four-dimensional vehicle wheel balancing system. The data for installing the balancing weights come from not one, but from 4 vibration sensors.
The sensors measure vibrations at different points in the tire at any given time. This allows you to calculate the weight and location of the weight with high accuracy.
Qualitatively carried out balancing prevents deformation, imbalance and premature wear of tires, increases vehicle controllability and reduces accident rate. nine0005
ORDER BALANCING
Calculate the cost of balancing Calculate the prices for the balancing service Calculate the cost
This guarantees maximum centering accuracy. In addition, the adapters contact the disk only at the location of the bolt head or nut. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the disc coating. nine0005
We use Haweka's innovative equipment, which allows us to simulate real vehicle operating conditions on the stand for maximum balancing accuracy.
Balancing Absolute wheel weight correction accuracy thanks to state-of-the-art Hunter Road Force balancer and Haweka adapters
Any types of wheels We work with any types of wheels of cars and trucks up to 5 tons
Experts with experience Balancing is performed by qualified specialists certified to work with innovative equipment nine0005
The whole procedure takes 10-20 minutes
3 months warranty
We work 24\7
Excellent service and good reviews
Waiting room Comfortable waiting area with free coffee and light snacks
Reviews
Olga Stuchevskaya
Wonderful place! I just changed my shoes here and I am writing from fresh impressions.
Discovered this service a few years ago. Previously, it was serviced by an authorized dealer, and tire fitting was associated with something peasant-dense. But I bought complete wheels (although there is also a tire service here) and I wanted something closer.
I never keep tires at home - I think this savings due to comfort is meaningless, given the cost of car ownership. I am very satisfied, every year Shino Box is getting better and better: quality, accuracy, speed - of course. But it is also a very comfortable place - you have time to drink free coffee with candy while sitting on the sofa (they offered to take it with you - but this is already too much). There are no such flirting with cash - everything is on the card (and for a long time), a pleasant social discount ... And most importantly - you leave in a good mood - which is so important in the nervous life of a driver. Good luck in your business! nine0005
Read reviews on Yandex
Ars Eny
The place won over with its convenient location, round-the-clock work and high customer focus! I bought a car with a set of summer tires that needed to be quickly folded somewhere - I called on Saturday at 21:30, and at 23:00 I already handed over the wheels for storage.
When I came to change shoes for the summer, they did everything quickly, efficiently and positively in the late evening. For me personally - a person who has every minute counting - the opportunity to do something useful in the late evening is very valuable! nine0005
High-quality service combined with a human attitude - this, unfortunately, is not common. And here it is!
Read reviews on Facebook
Andrey Ryakhovskiy
Very fast
Read reviews on Google
Alena P.
Awesome tavern! We punctured a wheel on a three-ruble note and came here! Came by accident, but very happy! Although the full load on changing shoes for the summer, they quickly dismantled and repaired the wheel! Stylish office and library where you can leave and pick up any book! Tire storage available! nine0005
Read reviews on Yandex
Egor Andreev
If you need a quality tire fitting - you are here.
Able to properly mount a low profile. They balance well. Instead of 100g of loads that were hung, I balanced to zero with 30g.
Read reviews on Facebook
Ben Gun
Change tires almost like in formula 1
Read reviews on Google
Anton R. nine0005
Normal person tire fitting - CRM, polite staff, nice design and atmosphere.
Read reviews on Yandex
Anna M.
Excellent service! Everything is high quality and inexpensive. The guys do everything quickly - before you have time to drink coffee, everything is already ready. In addition to tire fitting and rubber storage, I do all service work here. I am satisfied with everything!
Read reviews on Yandex
Boris Dergachev
Ordered summer tires and alloy wheels.
