How can we tell if our wheels need balancing? We can observe some very obvious "symptoms."

You don't need to be an automotive expert; just look out for the following key signs. If any of these signs occur, it's highly recommended that you visit a professional tire shop or repair facility for a balancing check.

5 Key Symptoms That Require Dynamic Balancing！

1. Steering Wheel Vibration (Most Common and Typical Symptom)

• Specific Symptom: When driving at high speeds (usually 80-100 km/h or higher), you may feel a constant, high-frequency side-to-side vibration of the steering wheel. The vibration becomes less severe at lower speeds, and may disappear completely once the speed decreases.
• Cause: Front wheel imbalance is transmitted directly to the steering wheel through the steering system.

2. Body Vibration

• Specific Symptoms: When driving at high speeds, not only does the steering wheel shake, but the entire vehicle, seats, and floor can also experience noticeable vibration or shaking, making the vehicle feel wobbly and unstable.
• Cause: This is usually caused by rear wheel imbalance. The unbalanced force from the rear wheels is directly transmitted to the frame and body through the suspension.

3. Abnormal tire wear

• Specific manifestation: When inspecting the tires, uneven wear such as "bald spots" or "wavy" patterns were found on the tread. This kind of wear will greatly shorten the lifespan of the tire.
• Reason: Unbalanced wheels bounce when rolling, making it difficult for them to make smooth contact with the ground, resulting in increased local tire wear.

4. Increased Fuel Consumption

• Specific Symptom: After eliminating other factors (such as road conditions and driving habits), fuel consumption is found to be higher than usual.
• Cause: Unbalanced wheels increase driving resistance, requiring the engine to output more power to maintain speed, resulting in increased fuel consumption.

5. Excessive wear of the suspension system and bearings

• Specific symptoms: This is a long-term and hidden symptom. Dynamic balancing failure causes the vehicle's suspension components (shock absorbers, ball joints, etc.) and wheel bearings to experience excessive, uneven impact forces, accelerating their aging and damage.
• Note: This condition is usually not immediately noticeable, but long-term repair costs can increase.

Under what circumstances should dynamic balancing be performed even in the absence of symptoms?

Prevention is always better than cure. Even if you don't feel any vibration, dynamic balancing is essential in the following situations:

1. When replacing new tires: This is standard procedure! Balancing is essential after the new tires are installed on the wheels.
2. After a tire repair (especially a mushroom-shaped repair): The repair material will change the weight distribution at that location on the tire, disrupting the original balance. Responsible dealerships will rebalance the tire after the repair.
3. If the wheel has been impacted: For example, driving over a pothole at high speed or hitting a curb can cause the wheel to become out of round or internal damage to the tire, leading to imbalance.
4. If the wheel weights have been replaced or adjusted: A dislodged weight is a direct cause of dynamic balancing failure.
5. Regular maintenance: We recommend checking the dynamic balance every 8,000-10,000 kilometers, or annually, even if there are no symptoms. This is extremely beneficial for ensuring driving safety and extending component life.

Recommendation:
If any of the above symptoms occur, do not ignore them. Wheel balancing is a fundamental maintenance procedure for ensuring driving safety, driving comfort, and the longevity of vehicle components. It's relatively quick and inexpensive, yet the benefits are immediate.

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