Driving on unbalanced tires is an underestimated danger that should not be ignored. While many drivers may not notice or ‘feel’ that their tires are unbalanced, the effects can be severe.
Unbalanced tires put excess strain on your vehicle’s suspension and steering components, cause faster tire wear, reduce gas mileage, and most critically – can severely reduce your ability to control your vehicle.
At high speeds, unbalanced tires can cause wheel shimmy, unpredictable vehicle sway, and degraded braking performance.
Continued use of unbalanced tires greatly increases your risk of blowouts or sudden tire failure – which could easily result in a crash at highway speeds.
This article will cover the causes of tire unbalance, at what point driving on unbalanced tires becomes unsafe, signs that your tires need rebalancing, and how to properly rebalance your tires.
We’ll also look at precautions you can take to maximize the safe lifetime of your tires’ balance and avoid unnecessary risks on the road.
While you may be able to drive for some time on slightly unbalanced tires, it’s critical to understand the safety impacts and have your tires rebalanced as soon as vibration or oscillations are noticed.
What are Unbalanced Tires?
Unbalanced tires refer to tires that have uneven weight distribution around the circumference of the tire. This uneven weight distribution is caused by a couple of factors:
- Uneven wear of the tire tread: As the tires wear down over time and use, the tread depth may become uneven around the tire. This causes some parts of the tire to be heavier than others.
- Improper mounting of the tire: If the tire is not mounted properly onto the wheel, it can cause lopsided weight distribution.
- Damage to the tire: Any damage like punctures, bulges, etc. can throw off the balance of the tire. The damaged area becomes heavier than the rest of the tire.
- Improper inflation: Under-inflation or over-inflation of tires can cause uneven weight distribution.
When tires are unbalanced, it means the weight is no longer evenly distributed around the circumference of the tire.
This uneven weight distribution causes vibration and wobbling of the tire as it rotates, especially at high speeds.
Unbalanced tires make for an uncomfortable ride and can even cause steering wheel shakes.
Causes of Unbalanced Tires
Unbalanced tires can be caused by several factors:
- Uneven treadwear: As tires naturally wear down from driving, they may wear unevenly. This causes some areas of the tread to be thicker or thinner than others, resulting in weight distribution issues. Uneven treadwear is common on the front tires since they handle most of the steering and turning.
- Damage: If a tire gets damaged by hitting a pothole or curb, it can bend the wheel and throw off the balance. Even a small tear or bulge on the sidewall can make that area heavier.
- Improper installation: When tires are mounted on the wheels incorrectly by a technician, they may end up lopsided. The beads on the inside edge of the tire need to be perfectly seated for a balanced tire.
- Separation or loose weights: The small weights added to the wheels to balance tires can sometimes come loose or separate. When these weights fall off, it throws off the equilibrium.
- Bent wheels: If a wheel gets bent from an impact, even slightly, it can cause vibrations and balance issues. The tire may wobble as it spins on a bent wheel.
Proper tire maintenance and rotation can minimize uneven wear and balance issues. But damage and bent wheels may require replacement or professional repairs to rebalance tires.
Effects of Unbalanced Tires
Driving for any extended time on unbalanced tires can lead to some concerning effects on your vehicle:
- Vibration – One of the most common effects of an unbalanced tire is vibration that can be felt in the steering wheel and throughout the vehicle. At highway speeds, this vibration can make the vehicle feel unstable and be difficult to control. The vibration occurs because the weight in the tire is unevenly distributed, causing the tire to wobble as it rotates.
- Uneven treadwear – With unbalanced tires, the tread wears unevenly across the tire’s surface. This is because the heavy part of the tire repeatedly hits the same spot on the pavement with more force than the rest of the tire. Over time, this concentrated force wears the tread unevenly, reducing the life of the tire. Uneven treadwear can also impact the vehicle’s handling and traction.
- Reduced handling – Unbalanced tires negatively affect a vehicle’s handling, especially at higher speeds. The vibration and uneven forces make the vehicle wander, pull, and generally handle unpredictably. This makes it more difficult to control the vehicle and reduces safety. Unbalanced tires reduce traction and can cause the vehicle to slide more easily as well.
Driving for long periods on unbalanced tires causes excessive strain on the vehicle’s suspension and steering components.
It also leads to an uncomfortable ride. Getting your tires rebalanced helps resolve these issues and prevents long-term wear and tear.
When to Rebalance Tires
Tires should be rebalanced in certain situations to maintain proper wheel balance and safe driving. The three main times that call for rebalancing are:
- After New Tires are Installed – Any time you get new tires put on your vehicle, rebalancing is essential. New tires arrive unbalanced from the factory. The rubber needs to be properly broken in and balanced to your wheel setup.
- After Tire Rotations – Rotating your tires helps distribute wear evenly across your tires. But rotating throws off the previous balance. After every time you rotate your tires, they need rebalancing to restore proper balance.
- After Tire Repairs – If you have a flat tire repaired, the repair process can disrupt the tire’s balance. Patching, plugging or replacing a tire requires rebalancing that tire and possibly others. Any tire repairs like patching sidewall damage will necessitate rebalancing.
Rebalancing after new tires, rotations or repairs ensures your wheels remain optimally balanced for a smooth ride and safe handling.
Neglecting to rebalance under these circumstances risks uneven tire wear, wheel vibration and decreased vehicle control.
Dangers of Unbalanced Tires
Driving on unbalanced tires can lead to some serious dangers that should not be ignored. Here are some of the main risks and hazards associated with unbalanced tires:
- Increased Wear: When tires are unbalanced, it causes certain parts of the tread to wear faster than others. This irregular and accelerated tread wear means you’ll have to replace tires more frequently. Unbalanced tires can wear out twice as fast, costing you a lot more money over time.
- Blowouts: The uneven weight distribution and bouncing of unbalanced tires puts more stress on certain areas of the tire. Over time, this can cause tires to overheat in some spots which leads to tire failure. Unbalanced tires are more prone to catastrophic blowouts at highway speeds.
- Accidents: Probably the scariest danger of unbalanced tires is an increased risk of accidents. The vibration and bouncing can make the vehicle harder to control. This lack of stability means unbalanced tires are more likely to lead to spin outs, hydroplaning, and loss of control during braking or turning. Even a minor accident caused by unbalanced tires can lead to injuries and expensive vehicle repairs.
So in summary, driving on unbalanced tires poses serious risks related to accelerated tire wear, sudden tire failure, and loss of control behind the wheel.
To avoid these hazards, it’s critical to rebalance tires whenever there are signs they may be unbalanced. Driving safely on properly balanced tires should always be a top priority for motorists.
How Long Can You Safely Drive on Unbalanced Tires?
The length of time you can safely drive on unbalanced tires depends on a few key factors:
- Severity of the Imbalance – Small imbalances under 0.5 oz may not cause issues for quite some time. However, more severe imbalances of 1 oz or more will begin to negatively impact the vehicle much sooner.
- Driving Speed – The faster you drive, the more an imbalance will affect the vehicle. High speeds above 55 mph will quickly amplify the vibration and wear from an imbalance. Lower speeds under 45 mph may allow you to drive longer before problems arise.
- Vehicle Type – Heavier vehicles like trucks and SUVs often have stiffer suspensions and are more prone to vibration from imbalances. Smaller sedans and coupes can hide the effects longer before drivability issues appear.
As a general guideline, small imbalances under 0.5 oz on lighter vehicles at lower speeds may allow you to safely drive for several weeks or longer before rebalancing becomes critical.
However, severe imbalances above 1 oz on heavy vehicles driven at high speeds will likely need rebalancing within days to avoid safety issues and excessive tire wear.
Pay attention to any new vibrations and have your tires rebalanced promptly if the vibration becomes excessive.
The sooner you can rebalance the tires, the less wear and tear on your vehicle from driving on an imbalance.
Signs You Need Rebalancing
Vibration felt while driving, pulling to one side, and uneven tire wear are common signs that your tires need rebalancing.
When tires are out of balance and lacking the correct counterweights, they will vibrate excessively as you drive, especially at highway speeds.
Vibration in the steering wheel or seat is a key symptom, and it will get worse as speed increases.
The vibration happens because the heavy part of the tire rotates out of position as it spins, creating bounce and shuddering.
Rebalancing restores the proper weight distribution so wheels spin smoothly and steadily.
Uneven tire wear can also indicate unbalanced tires. Unbalanced tires put extra stress on certain parts of the tread as you drive.
This leads to uneven wear, such as more pronounced wear on the inside or outside shoulder of the tire.
Rotating the tires regularly can help with uneven tire wear, but rebalancing is still needed to correct the underlying imbalance issue.
Pulling to one side while driving straight is another sign of imbalance. The heavy part of the tire wants to fall to the bottom as the wheel spins.
On front tires, this causes the vehicle to pull in the direction of the heavy spot. On rear tires, it can make the vehicle wander and have trouble tracking straight.
Rebalancing evens out the weight around the wheel so you can drive straight without constant small steering corrections.
If your vehicle displays any of these symptoms, have your tires checked and rebalanced if necessary.
Driving for long periods on unbalanced tires risks further uneven wear as well as vibration that can damage vehicle components.
But a quick rebalance by a tire shop will restore smooth and even operation.
How to Rebalance Tires
Rebalancing tires involves adding small wheel weights to the inner or outer edge of the wheel rim to counterbalance any uneven weight distribution in the tire and wheel assembly.
This evens out the centrifugal forces created by the spinning tires and results in a smoother, vibration-free ride.
There are two main methods used to rebalance tires:
Wheel Weights
The traditional way of rebalancing tires is by using clip-on or adhesive wheel weights. The mechanic will first spin the tire on a balancing machine, which identifies where weight needs to be added.
Small metal or plastic weights are then clipped onto the wheel rim or adhered using double-sided tape at the spot indicated.
This adds the necessary counterbalance to offset uneven tire weight.
Wheel weights come in different sizes, allowing the mechanic to use the exact amount needed.
Road Force Balancing
This is a more advanced method that not only balances the tire but also accounts for deviations in the tire itself.
It uses a machine to apply force to the tire laterally and radially while spinning, detecting variances in the tire construction.
The ideal position on the wheel is then determined to compensate for these tire imperfections.
Weights are added to minimize vibration by offsetting the tire’s road force. This achieves the smoothest and most stable tire balance.
Regularly rebalancing tires using either method will maintain optimal tire performance and handling while reducing uneven tread wear for longer tire life.
It’s quick and inexpensive routine maintenance that pays off in safety and savings.
Conclusion
Unbalanced tires can seriously impact your driving safety and lead to bigger problems if left unchecked.
While you may be able to drive on slightly unbalanced tires for a short period, it’s critical to have them rebalanced as soon as realistically possible.
The vibrations and wobbles caused by unbalanced tires put strain not just on your tires, but also on the suspension and steering components.
Prolonged imbalance can lead to uneven tire wear, poor gas mileage, and wheel bearings wearing out prematurely.
In extreme cases, it can even lead to tire failure on the highway.
Don’t ignore the signs that your tires need rebalancing, such as steering wheel vibrations and car shaking.
Schedule a tire balancing service as soon as you notice these symptoms for smooth and safe driving.
Periodic tire balancing as part of routine maintenance can also help maximize your tire life and prevent bigger problems down the road.
The bottom line is keeping your tires properly balanced is essential for vehicle safety and performance.
Take the time to have them checked and make rebalancing a priority. A few minutes of preventative maintenance can save you money in the long run and give you peace of mind behind the wheel.
