Tyre balancing explained

The cost of fitting new tyres usually includes balancing - but what is balancing and why is it necessary? We explain the secrets behind those curious bits of metal attached to your tyres.

What is wheel balancing?

If you think back to the last time you bought a new tyre it is highly likely that when it was fitted you saw the tyre technician mount the wheel and tyre onto a machine, spin it at high speed and then attach a series of small metal chunks with a hammer. This is the process of balancing a wheel; ensuring that the weight of the wheel is as even as possible throughout.

How much does tyre balancing cost?

If you are buying new tyres either from an online retailer or a high street chain or independent, the price of balancing is normally included within the fitting, whether that is rolled into the price of the tyre or given as a separate price. Some tyre retailers also offer a balancing service, often available as a walk-in service.

Retailer	Price
Kwik-Fit*	£27.00*
Tyresonthedrive.com	£68.99
Halfords Auto Centre	£31.96
Vehiclesolutions.co.uk	£29.00

Why do my wheels need balancing?

Although your wheels and tyres should look pretty uniform, in truth there are small variances in the thickness of the materials which make some sections lighter or heavier than others. These variances may be tiny, but when your car is travelling at speed the wheels are turning very quickly - close to 1,000rpm at 70mph - which amplifies the effect of these small imperfections.

Wheels that are out of balance can be felt as vibrations through the steering wheel at speed and can also cause uneven tyre wear, although there may be no obvious symptoms. When a new tyre is fitted it should be balanced as a part of the fitting process, but tyres will continually go out of balance over time and may need rebalancing before they are replaced.

How does tyre balancing work?

A modern tyre fitting centre will use a dedicated machine for the purpose of balancing your tyres to ensure accurate results. The wheel and tyre are attached to the machine and spun up to around 200rpm, allowing the computer to detect any wobbles that indicate an imbalance. Once completed, the computer indicates to the operator the size and location of the wheel weights that need to be attached to correct the imperfections. It only takes a few minutes to complete the balancing of a single wheel but it will ensure maximum performance from your tyres and ensure their long life.

Where can I get my tyres balanced?

Search For A Good Garage

Put off by doing it yourself, but don't want to be taken for a ride? You need to search for a decent garage near you, by using The Good Garage Guide. The UK's biggest reader-recommended database of trustworthy garage businesses.

Ask HJ

My tyres are 'out of round' - what's the cure?

Great website, best on the Internet! I have had my Kia Cee'd (2014, 15000 miles) diagnosed with rear tyres out of round. Was told by main dealer that this 'can just happen', & is not dangerous, only noisy, and the remedy would be to have the rears replaced AND have a 4-wheel alignment check performed. I see in your answers that you suggested to someone their similar problem could be related to tyre inflation, or heavy weight in the boot - this is definitely not been the case with me. Could it be related to an alignment issue, maybe even from new? What are your thoughts please?

They might simply have been bad tyres from new but it took a couple of years for this to become apparent. Could also have suffered carcass damage on a pothole. Far more likely with 17-inch or 18-inch wheels than with 15-inch or 16-inch, in which case the rims may also be damaged. Bit difficult to argue as a warranty issue. Get the tyres fitted and balanced first. If the fitter reports that the wheels are out of true then you may need new wheels. If not, try the car on the new tyres. If you still have a problem, get the alignment checked at a branch of http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/ I recommend Michelin Cross Climate or Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2 tyres all round if you're prepared to buy four. But must be a full set.

Answered by Honest John