Skip To Content

Best Auto Repair, Houston

12510 Oxford Park Drive Houston, TX 77082

281-589-8984
Opening Hours
  • Mon 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Tue 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Wed 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Thu 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Fri 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed
CONTACT US

Shake It up in Houston!: Why Wheel Balancing

Posted September 19, 2021 9:53 AM

Our vehicles are not massage chairs. While we may enjoy a good vibration in an overstuffed recliner, we generally want as smooth a ride as possible in our vehicles. One way to achieve this is to keep a vehicle's wheels in balance.

When a tire is mounted onto a wheel, it is usually out of balance. This means that as the wheel spins, there is a slight wobble to the path of the tire. For best handling performance and safety on the road, Houston drivers want to minimize this wobble as much as possible. So we balance our tires. To balance a tire, your technician at Westside Automotive spins it on a machine or drum to determine where it is off-balance. He then attaches weights that counter-balance the uneven weight. Most people in Houston are surprised at how much balancing improves the smoothness of their ride.

High-quality tires generally hold their balance well. But over time, wear and tear take their toll and tires can become unbalanced. Houston drivers can tell when a front tire is unbalanced if they feel a vibration in the steering wheel. If a back tire is unbalanced, you'll feel a vibration in your seat. You may not notice these vibrations until they get fairly serious — or until someone else drives your vehicle — because they usually develop slowly. If a vibration starts abruptly, it usually means you've lost a balancing weight.

The average tire rotates at about 850 revolutions per minute at 60 mph/97 kmh. When a tire is out of balance, it actually hops down the road, rather than rolling. So at 60 mph/97 kph, it is slamming into the pavement 14 times a second. That's what creates the vibration. When tires are out of balance, they wear out more quickly. The lack of balance also causes extra wear on shocks, struts, steering components and suspension parts.

Getting a balance job at Westside Automotive in Houston can prevent repair bills and even an accident. It will improve the safety of your vehicle as well as its handling performance. When you change your rims or get a flat repaired at Westside Automotive, you'll need to get your tires balanced as well. When you rotate your tires, you may want to have them balanced, too.

Some Houston vehicle owners, however, only balance their wheels every other rotation. You can check your owner's manual to see what is recommended for your vehicle. Balancing your tires is part of preventive maintenance. It keeps your vehicle in good repair and prevents damage to many of its components. So practice good vehicle care and make it a point to keep your tires balanced. It's quality auto advice from Westside Automotive. Massage chairs may vibrate away our worries, but unbalanced tires will just rattle Houston drivers' nerves.

Westside Automotive
12510 Oxford Park Dr.
Houston, TX 77082
281-589-8984
http://www.houstonwestsideautomotive.com

 



Search



Archive

December 2019 (15)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (4)
May 2020 (5)
June 2020 (4)
July 2020 (4)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (4)
October 2023 (5)
November 2023 (4)
December 2023 (5)
January 2024 (5)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (4)

Categories

Air Conditioning (4)Alignment (4)Alternator (3)Auto Safety (3)Automotive News (5)Battery (8)Brakes (14)Cabin Air Filter (4)Check Engine Light (2)Cooling System (7)Customer Detective Work (1)Dashboard (1)Diagnostics (3)Diesel Maintenance (1)Differential Service (1)Drive Train (3)Exhaust (3)Fluids (5)Fuel Economy (6)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Fuel System (21)Headlamps (2)Inspection (2)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (1)Maintenance (23)Oil Change (4)Older Vehicles (3)Parts (2)PCV Valve (1)Safe Driving (1)Safety (2)Serpentine Belt (2)Service Intervals (4)Service Standards (5)Shocks & Struts (3)Steering (7)Timing Belt (5)Tires (2)Tires and Wheels (24)TPMS (2)Transmission (6)Trip Inspection (2)What Customers Should Know (30)Windshield Wipers (3)Winter Prep (1)Winter Tires (1)
  • AAA (American Automobile Association)
  • ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
  • Jasper
  • ASE Master Technician
  • BG Products
  • Denso
  • Car Care Aware

Testimonials

, 03/11/2024
Efficient and excellent communication. Reasonable pricing. Will be returning!
view all reviews
TAP TO CALL NOW 281-589-8984 X