Guides
When do wheels need balancing?
A vibration that starts at a certain speed and then fades is almost always balance.
How the symptom feels
An out-of-balance wheel usually shows up as a vibration that starts around 80–100 km/h, grows as speed rises and then eases off again. If you feel it in the steering wheel we look at the front wheels; if you feel it in the seat, the rear. A vibration that is constant and unrelated to speed is not balance but a sign of something else.
When to have it done
At every tyre change and after any removal and refitting, without exception. Beyond that: after hitting a hard pothole, after mounting a kerb, or whenever you feel the vibration described above. Balance weights can fall off over time, so an annual check is reasonable even if nothing has happened.
Balancing and alignment are not the same
Balancing makes the wheel run evenly and removes vibration. Alignment corrects the angle of the wheels relative to the road; its symptom is not vibration but the car pulling to one side and the tyre wearing on one shoulder. We balance on site; alignment needs a lift and a fixed laser rig, so it cannot be done mobile.
What happens if you ignore it
A wheel running out of balance wears the tyre unevenly, and once that wear starts it does not reverse even after balancing. The vibration also tires ball joints, bushings and dampers early. So postponing a cheap job can turn into an expensive repair.
We do this work
Wheel balancing
The most common cause of steering wheel vibration. Done as standard after every fitting.