Whenever you have to replace your tires or change them from summer to winter tires, the first thing you should get done after buying the tires is to mount and balance them. Otherwise, they can cause an array of problems, including premature tire wear and wheel vibrations.
To make sure your driving experience is smooth and optimized, you will need these two vital services. When car tires come straight from the factory, they are usually not perfectly round or balanced to fit your car’s standards. Tire mounting and balancing should always be left to professionals with the right qualifications and equipment.
Mounting Vs. Balancing
Tire mounting is simpler to understand – mounting is the process of putting the tires on the wheels and installing them onto the vehicle’s axles. Machinery is usually the easiest and most efficient method, and we have access to state-of-the-art machines at Dave’s Automotive. However, some people can do it by hand (not recommended).
On the other hand, tire balancing is a complex part of the tire mounting process and can be done as maintenance too. It is the process of balancing the weight of a tire, using a tire balancing machine that spins the tires. The wheel is spun to obtain measurements and monitor imbalances. Then he/she will adjust the weights if necessary.
Tire balancing is considered a maintenance task, and you should generally have it done every time you have your tires rotated or once every 1-2 years. However, you should be on the lookout for the following signs of unbalanced wheels:
- Vibrations in the steering wheel and/or floorboard that get worse with acceleration
- Uneven tire wear
- Irregular tire pressure
- Unstable handling
If you are in need of tire mounting or tire balancing, there’s no team more equipped to handle the job than the one at Dave’s Automotive. Please call or visit our shop today if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment.