Wheel Balancing at Sovel's Auto Service
January 6, 2015
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? Novi auto owners can tell if their tires are out of balance by vibrations at higher speeds on Michigan expressways. 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 Sovel's Auto Service, it is usually not perfectly balanced. So the service professional 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, it is actually slamming into the pavement 14 times a second. That's where you get your vibration.
Most Novi motorists are surprised at how smoothly their car rides after balancing all four wheels.
Most high-quality tires sold in Novi hold their balance pretty well for drivers. 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 Sovel's Auto Service in Novi if you feel a vibration, change your rims or have a flat repaired. Putting off a needed balance job leads to excessive and harmful 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 pricey repair bills and possibly an accident. Additionally, you will get better gas mileage.
Some Novi motorists have their tires balanced at every rotation. Others do it every other time. Check your owners' manual for your requirements, or ask your friendly Sovel's Auto Service service specialist. Doing this will put you on the path to mechanical wheel balance.
Need Service?
More articles from Sovel's Auto Repair Novi
Rumble from Down Under (Muffler Replacement)
May 17, 2026
Weve all noticed them at one time or another on the street: a car or truck that drives by and the deep roar from their exhaust system sounds like a drag racer on the line. But what happens when that rumble is coming from under YOUR vehicle? Well, it could be a sign your muffler needs attention. ... More
Losing Your Cool (AC Condenser Replacement)
May 10, 2026
Its always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser. The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into... More
Automotive Tips from Sovel's Auto Service: Signs of an Alignment Problem
May 3, 2026
When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Novi drivers often associate our wheels being knocked out of alignment with an event like an accident, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. While ... More