Difference between rotating and balancing tires

To ensure a smooth driving experience, having the correct tires for your vehicle is essential. You should also replace them at regular intervals. However, you can maintain good traction by regularly rotating and balancing your tires. By regularly rotating and balancing your tires, you can prolong their life by ensuring they wear evenly on all sides. What is the difference between rotating and balancing tires? How often should you rotate your tires? Below are the answers.

How often should you visit your tire shop for a rotation?

It is an excellent rule to rotate tires every 6,000-8,000 miles. This is roughly 6 months of driving for many drivers. A non-luxury vehicle will need an oil change approximately every 3 months or 3,000 miles. This means that it is worth checking your tires every other oil change. Drivers of new or pre owned luxury vehicles may need a memorable trip.

Why rotate your tires?

Your tires will wear differently depending on the location of your engine and how much stuff you have in the trunk. Drivers can change the positions of individual tires to help tires wear differently and not wear as quickly.

Tire rotation vs tire balance

Your tires must be balanced every time you visit the tire shop for a rotation. Your tires should be balanced as they spin. This means that the tire's weight and tires are evenly distributed. It can cause your wheels to shake. It is best to have them appropriately balanced to stop your tires and wheels from shaking.

Four Tips for Tire Balancing and Rotation 

1. The wheels are taken off the tires and replaced with new ones from right to left. A mechanic will use a particular machine that checks the wheel and tire balance when they are balanced. To ensure they are balanced, the mechanic will attach small lead weights around the wheel's rim to check if it isn't. Modern wheel balancers can detect vibrations that are not balanced and reduce weight chase.
2. All four tires should be balanced and rotated approximately once every seven thousand miles, according to most manufacturers. This recommendation can be followed by having your tires balanced and rotated approximately every other oil change.
3. Safety is the number one reason to rotate your tires. The tread on the front tires wears faster than the rear tires. You can lose control of your vehicle if you have less tread on the front tires. Rotating the rear tires to the front keeps the tread on the front longer. You will need to be able to rotate the tires by yourself. Non-directional tires and directional tires rotate differently.
4. The second reason why this maintenance is so essential is that it is efficient. You would need to rotate and balance your tires more often than replace your rear tires if you didn't. Rotating them regularly allows them to wear at the same pace. This saves you money and allows you to buy a complete set of 4 tires rather than two.

Are tire rotation and tire balancing one thing?

Tire balancing should be done every time your tires are rotated. However, they are not the same thing. Rotating your tire is moving them from their current location. It doesn't matter if you move the front tires in one direction; this is just a simple position change. Balancing your tire ensures that the combined weight of the wheel and tire are evenly distributed. Tires sales and services will help you to balance your wheel eventually. 

This can be done by positioning the tire or attaching small weights to the wheel. This requires special machinery. Unbalanced tires can cause your car to shake. This could be because your shop didn't do a good job or because you have been exposed to the Texas heat.