What is the difference between tire rotation and balancing

Rebalancing is done in a tire shop by putting the wheel-tire unit on a tire balancing machine that takes measurements to pinpoint lighter or heavier areas and making adjustments to account for these weight differences. Wheel alignment corrects the angles of the tires so they travel in the same direction and make contact with the road properly.

Alignment reduces uneven tire wear and extends the life of your tires. Oftentimes tire balancing and alignment are perceived to be the same thing, but are not. How Tires Are Rebalanced Rebalancing is done in a tire shop by putting the wheel-tire unit on a tire balancing machine that takes measurements to pinpoint lighter or heavier areas and making adjustments to account for these weight differences. The wheel is spun while vibration measurements are taken.

This tells the tech if the weight is spread evenly, how much weight to add and where on the wheel to attach it. Every time you go in for a tire rotation, your tires should also be balanced. If your tires are not balanced when they spin that is, with the weight of the wheel and the tires evenly distributed it can cause the wheels to shake, which is definitely a bad sign!

If your wheels and tires are unevenly balanced, you may need to visit a repair shop just to stop it from shaking. Your email address will not be published. Alignments are most often necessary after colliding with something, running over a significant pothole, or other extreme circumstances. You can have a professional check your wheels every 10, miles or so to make sure nothing is amiss though.

Regardless of their differences, each of these services is an important solution to maintenance problems for your car. If you happen to need either a tire rotation or wheel alignment in the future, look into RNR Tire Express —a leading tire shop in Colorado Springs. We can perform these tasks and get your car back on the road in no time. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy.

Simply put, tires are the only part that touches the road, which means that they will experience some serious wear and tear. But how often should you rotate your tires? But why should you rotate your tires? And is tire rotation and balancing the same thing? Keep reading to find out. Read More: How many miles can I drive on empty? While tire balancing should absolutely happen every time you get your tires rotated, the two processes are not actually the same thing.