Disclaimer: Images (s) shown are for illustrative purposes only. Actual product specifications, including tyre size and design, may vary.
Have you ever noticed your steering wheel vibrating as you pick up speed? Or perhaps your car feels wobbly even on relatively smooth roads? These might seem like minor issues, but they could be early signs that your tyres are out of balance.
In India, we have various driving conditions ranging from smooth highways to rough, uneven roads and unpredictable weather conditions etc. Tyre maintenance becomes critical. One aspect of that maintenance, often overlooked, is tyre balancing (wheel balancing). Understanding what it is, why it matters, and how often you should get it done can make a real difference to your vehicle’s performance and your personal safety.
What is tyre balancing exactly?
Disclaimer: Images (s) shown are for illustrative purposes only. Actual product specifications, including tyre size and design, may vary.
When a tyre is fitted onto a wheel, the combined assembly might not have perfectly equal weight all around. Even a small imbalance, sometimes as little as 10 grams, can result in the wheel spinning unevenly. This causes the car to vibrate or bounce at higher speeds.
Wheel balancing is the process of checking the wheels on the wheel balancing machine and putting equivalent weights on the lighter side to balance the wheel assembly. The advantages of wheel balancing are to reduce vibrations, minimise tyre wear and ensure better vehicle handling.
If you've ever wondered what balancing tyres means, it refers to achieving a perfect balance of weight across the entire tyre and wheel setup so your car runs smoother and tyres wear more evenly.
Why Tyre Balancing is Crucial in Indian Road Conditions
Indian roads put a lot of stress on your tyres. From potholes and speed bumps to gravel paths and uneven terrain, your tyres take quite a beating. These conditions can cause tyres to wear unevenly or lose their balance over time.
That’s why tyre balancing isn't just a one-time affair. It’s something you should include in your regular vehicle maintenance schedule to ensure a smoother and safer drive.
Top Benefits of Tyre Balancing:
- Reduces vibrations
- Extends tyre life by preventing uneven wear
- Improves ride comfort and vehicle handling
- Runs smoothly, even at high speeds
How Do You Know Your Tyres Need Balancing?
There are a few clear signs that your tyres may be out of balance. Here are the most common ones:
| Sign | Possible Cause |
| Vibrations in the steering wheel | Front wheels may be unbalanced |
| Uneven tyre wear | Imbalance causing inconsistent contact with the road |
| Uncomfortable / bumpier ride | Tyre imbalance leading to inconsistent rolling and vibration |
| Reduced handling precision | Imbalanced wheels are affecting the steering response |
Additionally, wheel balancing can be affected by factors such as a bent rim, uneven tyre wear, or improper refitting after a puncture repair. If the tyre is not reinstalled in its original position, or if a large patch is used during repair, it may disturb the balance of the wheel assembly. Before mounting the wheel on the hub, it is recommended to ensure the tyre is correctly seated and the assembly is balanced. Wheel balancing should also be performed after any puncture repair or if unusual vibrations are noticed while driving.
Difference Between Tyre Balancing (wheel balancing) and Wheel Alignment
Tyre Balancing is the process of correcting uneven weight distribution in a tyre and wheel assembly. When a wheel is not balanced, it can cause vibrations, uneven tyre wear, and reduced driving comfort. This is done by adding small weights to the rim to ensure the tyre rotates smoothly.
Wheel Alignment, on the other hand, refers to adjusting the angles (toe, camber, and caster) according to manufacturer specifications to ensure optimal contact with the road, even tyre wear for extended tyre life, less fuel consumption, improved manoeuvrability (steering precision), minimise driver fatigue and proper handling
Now, while they sound similar, they serve very different purposes:
- Tyre balancing (wheel balancing) ensures your wheels spin evenly without vibration. 🡪 It ensures even weight distribution around the wheel, allowing smooth rotation without vibration
- Wheel alignment ensures your tyres point in the right direction and wear evenly. 🡪 Wheel alignment adjusts tyre angles to ensure correct orientation, even wear, and stable handling
Both are essential. If you're heading to a service centre, it's wise to check and address both wheel balancing & wheel alignment together for the smoothest and safest driving experience.
How often should you balance your tyres?
Wheel balancing should be carried out as per the vehicle manufacturer's (OEM) recommendations. If such guidelines are not available or if the original tyres (OE tyres) have already been replaced, it is advisable to perform wheel balancing every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometres. Here are some good times to have it checked:
- When installing new tyres
- After a puncture repair or during tyre rotation, while the wheels are removed from the vehicle.
- Following an impact with a pothole or kerb
- If you notice vibrations while driving
Did you know:
An internal test conducted at the Government Test Track revealed that vehicles fitted with tyres not aligned using the yellow marks and not subjected to proper wheel balancing exhibited 10%* higher vibration levels compared to those with properly balanced wheels.
Choose the Right Tyres and Service for Comfort
When your tyres are balanced correctly, the benefits go beyond comfort. You also protect your investment in the vehicle and save on long-term maintenance. But that comfort and safety can be further enhanced by choosing the right tyre as well.
Smooth Rides Start with Balanced Tyres
To sum up, what is tyre balancing? It’s a quick but vital service that ensures your tyres spin evenly, your drive stays smooth, and your vehicle performs at its best. Understanding what does a tyre balance do, or knowing what balancing tyres means, empowers you to take control of your vehicle’s health.
Give your car the treatment it deserves. Head to your nearest Bridgestone Select Store and ask for a tyre balancing check. And if you're looking for superior comfort, a quieter ride and reliability on every road, explore the Turanza passenger tyres range — your ideal partner for smooth, confident journeys.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general guidance only. The author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences resulting from the use of this information.