Signs of Wheel Balance Problems
by Ariel PhillipsWheel balancing problems can affect your car's performance and your safety. An imbalance in your wheel is often due to heavy spots that can cause the wheels and tires to spin with an unwanted vibration. Wheels are balanced by readjusting the weight around your car's wheels. Wheel balancing is different from wheel alignment, which has to do with the angle of your wheels and their relation to the ground.
Vibration

Driving a car with wheel balance problems often results in vibrations throughout the car. For example, if your wheels are imbalanced you may experience vibrations in your steering wheel at highway speeds. You may also feel vibrations in the car seat or floor. Most wheel balance-related vibrations are accentuated at higher speeds, usually between 50 and 70 mph. A lot of new cars are made with lightweight and ultra-sensitive suspension and wheels, which makes them more sensitive to wheel imbalance than older cars.
Noise
Tire Wear
Front or Back wheels
See a Mechanic
References
Writer Bio
Ariel Phillips is an editor and writer living in Portland, Ore. He has written for "n+1 Journal" and "The Rumpus Magazine," among others. He maintains an interest in a variety of subjects, including art, culture, the environment, media, the sciences and sports. He earned bachelor's degrees in art and philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara.