Back to all

Wheel Balancing at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy)

November 5, 2023

So you love your job, and your family life is great. Congratulations! You have achieved balance. But can you say the same for your wheels? Tampa drivers can tell if their tires are out of balance by vibrations at higher speeds on FL roads. If one of the front tires is out, you feel the vibration in the steering wheel. If it's a back tire, you'll feel the vibration in your seat.

Tires and wheels are pretty heavy. When a tire is mounted on a wheel at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy), it is usually not perfectly balanced. So the technician will spin the tire on a machine to determine where it's too heavy. He will then place weights on the wheels in strategic locations to balance it out. When a tire is out of balance, it actually bounces down the road instead of rolling smoothly. Since the average size tire rotates at about 850 revolutions per minute at 60 mph/97 kph, it is actually slamming into the pavement 14 times a second. That's where you get your vibration.

Most people in Tampa are surprised at how smoothly their car rides after balancing all four wheels.

Most high-quality tires sold in Tampa hold their balance pretty well. They just get out of balance gradually with normal wear and tear. If you suddenly feel a vibration, it is probably because you lost a wheel balancing weight along the way. Definitely get a balance at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy) in Tampa if you feel a vibration, change your rims or have a flat repaired. Putting off a needed balance job leads to excessive and tire wear, wear to your shocks, struts, steering and suspension parts. Wheel balancing not only improves your ride and handling, but also can save you some repair bills and possibly an accident. Additionally, you will get better fuel economy.

Some Tampa area drivers have their tires balanced at every rotation. Others do it every other time. Check your owner's manual for your requirements, or ask your friendly service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy). Doing this will put you on the path to mechanical wheel balance.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy)
4353 Gunn Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
813-908-0438
http://www.tuffygunn.com

 

More articles from Tuffy Gunn

In the Hot Seat (Repair and Maintenance of Seat Heaters)

December 15, 2024

It's chilly outside. You flip on that switch that looks like a picture of a seat with little heat waves rising from it. You expect soon you'll feel that warmth but wait! It's not getting warmer. Oh no, what's wrong with my seat heater? There could be lots of reasons it's not working, and it cou... More

3 Winter Windshield Tips (Care of Windshield)

December 8, 2024

Cold weather can present some real challenges when it comes to your vehicle's windshield. Think of it. Your windshield is your window to the world when you're driving, and clear visibility is extraordinarily important for safe travels. So here are 3 tips to ensure that your windshield can do it... More

Alternator Facts (Failing Alternator)

December 1, 2024

If you notice that your headlights are flickering at night, that's something to pay attention to. While there could be many different things that could cause that problem, one possibility is your vehicle's alternator. The alternator takes mechanical energy from the engine and turns it into electr... More