To balance are not the balance ?? Tires

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Angry Elf, Jan 11, 2013.

  1. Angry Elf

    Angry Elf Junior Member

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    I went to the dealership yesterday because the screen on my car said it needed maintenance And I've only had this car for 2400 miles ( Purchased it used ) so I didn't understand what maintenance is needed . The dealership looked at the history of the car and said it was time for a tire rotation . When I asked about also balancing tires the salesman looked at me like I was crazy. Started asking me why , where was I feeling vibration ? what was my problems ? Now my wife and I have not owned a new car in many years . All the cars we had in the past we always rotate and balance the tires every 6000 miles . The salesman then told me that they never balance tires In less their is a problem . And that these tires are balanced on the car . I should always just rotate them . The question is , is this true ? Am I just old and out of touch ? What do you guys do ?
     
    #1 Angry Elf, Jan 11, 2013
  2. pichner

    pichner Metallic Maniac #001

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    Many years ago I worked at a tire shop and call tell you tire balance has nothing to do with the car. When we mounted tires on a rim we would always balance them and put on weights as needed. If now of those weights came off the tire would be out of balance and should be balanced again. Some didn't need weights, some did, but we put every wheel on the balancer to check. I can't see any harm in having them check for balance, but you should feel some wheel vibration if they were really out of whack.
     
    #2 pichner, Jan 11, 2013
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  3. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I don't think the tires are balanced on the car, if they were they could be out of balance when they were rotated. Car salesmen are usually not a good source of information, many of them tend to make things up instead of telling you they don't know.

    I bought my last set at Costco and they rotate and balance them free every 7500 miles. The first time I had them done I ask the guy who did the work if they were out of balance (they seemed OK to me) and he said yes they were a little. He told me as tires wear they do sometimes get a little out of balance, besides that weights can fall off etc.
     
    #3 tumbleweed, Jan 11, 2013
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  4. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Most dealerships are not set up to balance tires, just rotate them. I did not have any issues with my OEM tires and only rotated them through their life of 32,000 miles. I bought replacement tires at Sam's and have them rotated and balanced every 5-10,000 miles. I agree with Tumbleweed's comments about how tires can get a little out of balance as they wear.

    As for the first two years of complimentary service from the dealer I would just accept the rotation for now.
     
    #4 jdcollins5, Jan 11, 2013
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  5. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Other than when getting new tires, no need to balance (even when rotating) unless you feel vibrations.
     
    #5 stream, Jan 11, 2013
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  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    After the tires are installed, wheel balance is not needed unless you experience a vibration problem. Shops offer free lifetime balancing in order to add value to their tire installation packages, but it is not a necessary service unless you are experiencing vibration problems.
     
    #6 The Critic, Jan 11, 2013
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  7. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    If the tire shop owner has an alimony or boat payment due soon, extra tire balancing becomes important to him.
     
    #7 xs650, Jan 11, 2013
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Was the Manual missing? There an Owners Manual, and a separate booklet with warranty and maintenance info. I've attached the US Maintenance Guide.



    I also tried to summarize it in spreadsheet format, here:

    2010 Prius Maintenance Schedule (US) | PriusChat
     

    Attached Files:

    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jan 11, 2013
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