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CostHelper > Cars  > Wheel Balancing

Wheel Balancing Cost

How Much Does Wheel Balancing Cost?
 
low costPer Wheel: $6-$20average costTotal Cost: $24-$80
post Post   Comments (37)  

If a tire is not properly balanced it will wobble, causing a vibration that the driver and passengers can feel. Wheel balancing is the process of placing weights on the rim of the wheel so the tire rotates evenly. This improves traction and steering control, and extends the life of the tire.

Typical costs:

  • Wheel balancing can cost $6-$20 per wheel ($24-$80 for all four wheels), but it typically is about $10-$12 a wheel ($40-$40 total) depending on local labor rates, and the make and model of vehicle. This service is usually slightly more expensive at a car dealership than at a tire store or automotive repair shop. CostHelper readers report paying $24-$75 to have all four wheels balanced at a shop for an average of $50 ($12 per wheel) and $44-$70 at a dealership for an average of $53 ($13.32 per wheel).
  • A complete wheel balancing may include tire mounting (putting the tire on the wheel) and tire rotation (changing where an individual wheel-and-tire is located on the vehicle, because tires in front wear down faster than those in back) or these may be done separately for about $2-$10 per wheel. For example, the automotive centers at Walmart[1] charge $8 per wheel for balancing, $5 per tire for mounting and $2.50 per tire for rotation, or $11 per tire for a complete tire installation package with mounting, a new valve stem and both rotation and balancing every 7,500 miles.
Related articles: Tires, Wheel Alignment, Brakes, Chrome Wheels

What should be included:
  • Goodyear outlines a typical complete wheel-balancing service[2] : removing each tire and wheel; putting each one on a balancing machine; spinning each one to make sure the weight of the wheel and tire are balanced evenly around the axle; detecting and locating any imbalance; attaching a lead weight on the opposite side of the tire to compensate for the weight difference; and remounting the wheels on the vehicle.
  • Wheel balancing is typically done anytime a tire is mounted on a wheel, or if the tire is dismounted for repair and then remounted. Although a tire will gradually wear down and eventually need to be rebalanced, car experts Tom and Ray Magliozzi of the Car Talk[3] radio show say this is a slow process, and tires that are in balance tend to stay in balance; they suggest having the wheels rebalanced only if there is a shimmy or vibration, or if the tires are remounted on different rims.
Additional costs:
  • If needed to make sure the wheels are running parallel to each other, wheel alignment can cost $20-$100 at a repair shop or $75-$400 or more at a dealership, depending on the make and model of vehicle.
Discounts:
  • Mounting and balancing may be included in the cost of buying a set of new tires. Some tire sellers also include lifetime rotations, balancing and flat repairs.
Shopping for wheel balancing:
  • Wheel balancing is done at most car dealerships; tire dealers like Big O Tires[4] , Firestone[5] or Goodyear[6] ; car repair shops like Meineke[7] or Pep Boys[8] ; and automotive departments at retailers like Costco[9] or Sears[10] .
  • The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence provides a searchable directory[11] of certified shops.
  • Consumer Reports lists tips for finding a good mechanic[12] .
post Post   Comments (37)  
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Page 2 of 2   -   << Previous   1   2   

Wheel Balancing for all four tires
Amount: $69.23
Posted by: a user in Rockville, MD.Posted: August 14th, 2017 10:08AM
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Altima
Auto Shop: Goodyear Rockville
Steering wheel was shaking at speeds over 60 MPH, needed wheel balancing to fix.
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Tires rotated and balanced
Amount: $106.04
Posted by: Grandlong in Orlando, FL.Posted: August 12th, 2017 02:08PM
Car Make: LexusCar Model: ES350
Auto Shop: Lexus of Orlando
A 25,000 miles services included tires rotated and balanced; visibly checked brakes and floor mats.
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Tire Rotation/Balance & Oil Change
Amount: $112.00
Posted by: a user in Wilmington, NC.Posted: July 6th, 2016 06:07AM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Insight
Auto Shop: AAA Car Care Center
This was done in 2016 but computer only has 2015 option fyi. Oil change was synthetic.
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4 mounted & balance tired , front wheel alignment , valve & wieghts
Amount: $162.99
Posted by: Mary McCauley-Stoddard in Aliso Viejo, CA.Posted: August 25th, 2015 01:08PM
Auto Shop: Aliso Niguel Auto Care
It seem kind of high!!! I bought 4 new
Michelin Energy saver. 205/60R16
1414
[email protected] 598.16
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Mount An Balance 4 35x12.50R20s
Amount: $20.00
Posted by: riverranch in Royal Palm Beach, FL.Posted: August 6th, 2015 06:08PM
Car Make: ChevyCar Model: 2500HD
Auto Shop: Value Tire & Alignment Royal Palm Beach
These guys are great fast an there prices are even better they beat all the other shops i called gotta check them out
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wheel balance/rotation
Amount: $72.80
Posted by: Sarasota evo in Sarasota, FL.Posted: February 19th, 2015 04:02PM
Car Make: MitusbishiCar Model: Evo
Auto Shop: Goodyear
Last minute decision and they weren't that busy. Very nice crew, took the time and care to for my lowered car to fit on the rack without breaking anything. Price seems average for this area, not a deal or a rip.
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tire rotation w/ balance
Amount: $61.96
Posted by: D. Roberts in reno, NV.Posted: February 10th, 2015 12:02PM
Auto Shop: Tires Plus Total Auto Care
service purchased 2/10/15
Ballance parts $15.96
Labor $36.00
Rotation $10.00
Total: $61.96
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Balance tires
Amount: $31.75
Posted by: fred gapac in Alhambra, CA.Posted: January 26th, 2015 05:01PM
Auto Shop: firestone, Alhambra , CA
It cost 31.75 balancing 4 tires CLK320
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wheel balancing, rotation, alignment, oil change
Amount: $198.00
Posted by: Lord Pratts in coral spring, FL.Posted: November 14th, 2014 11:11AM
Car Make: mitsubichiCar Model:
Auto Shop: midas
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wheel balance (front tires)
Amount: $38.00
Posted by: Hue Janus in putnam, CT.Posted: August 27th, 2014 12:08PM
Auto Shop: Valvoline
They busted 1 of my wheel studs, didn't tell me, and replaced it with a really crappy looking lugnut. Oh, and the ride quality is worse. I paid them to do this. They looked at me straight in the face, told me the total, and sent me on my way.
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One Tire Balancing
Amount: $25.00
Posted by: Nick Wang in Albuquerque, NM.Posted: November 18th, 2013 05:11PM
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
Auto Shop: Pep Boys
Have one tire balanced, so expensive
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Tires Balanced + Rotated
Amount: $35.00
Posted by: a user in Irvine, CA.Posted: June 25th, 2013 11:06PM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Accord
Auto Shop: Americas Tire
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Rotation
Amount: $30.00
Posted by: Kosmoddd999 in Dana point, CA.Posted: March 2nd, 2013 02:03PM
Auto Shop: Valvoline
If you rotate ur tires every 6000 miles at $30 a pop, then you spend $300 overt the life of the tires. My tires couldn't of cost more than $600. So why bother with the rotation?
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Balance and tire rotation
Amount: $45.30
Posted by: iheartfrenchies in Knoxville, TN.Posted: February 18th, 2013 06:02AM
Auto Shop: Gillespie Auto Shop
This price was after a 10% military discount. Everyone was super nice, and seemed to appreciate my business. The technician also did a check on my clutch and shifting mechanism at no charge.
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Tire Rotation and Balance
Amount: $20.00
Posted by: Katie Grant in Springfield, IL.Posted: January 24th, 2013 06:01AM
Car Make: KiaCar Model: Sportage
Auto Shop: Brahler Oil & Lube
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wheel balance
Amount: $64.00
Posted by: ngwazi in mobile, AL.Posted: July 1st, 2012 07:07AM
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: 4Runner
Auto Shop: firestone
I purchased tires at firestone last year and had lifetime alignment. This year I took it for a balance of wheels whereby, It cost me $64. I was offered a one time wheel balance at $44 but i opted for the life time wheel balance so that i dont have to pay any bucks in the future.
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Tire balancing cost
Amount: $62.00
Posted by: janksully in vernon, CT.Posted: May 15th, 2012 04:05PM
Car Make: RangerCar Model:
Auto Shop: Maple Tire
Rotation and balance - seemed high since I bought my tires there about a year ago!
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Tire Balancing for 18" wheels / tires
Amount: $60.00
Posted by: Quen in Pompano Beacvh, FL.Posted: April 9th, 2012 11:04AM
Car Make: VolkswagenCar Model: Jetta
Auto Shop: LC Clark Tire
Felt it was a littler on the high end of what it should cost but since it's next door from where I work I wouldn't have to sit at a tires plus for 2 hours like I did last time for a simple oil change.
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Tires rotated & balanced
Amount: $40.00
Posted by: Mike in Lodi, NJ in Lodi, NJ.Posted: December 27th, 2011 10:12AM
Car Make: VWCar Model: Passat
Auto Shop: J&J Tire
I got it done pretty fast. I still need a wheel alignment I'm afraid
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2 tires dismount off rims/ 2 newer tires mounted/ all 4 balanced
Amount: $45.00
Posted by: central IL car owner in Athens, .Posted: September 14th, 2011 10:09PM
Car Make: FordCar Model: Contour
Auto Shop: Berts
I suspected bad rear struts, and possibly brakes. He inspected those for me too. Small town living. Good prices
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Balance Tires
Amount: $39.95
Posted by: a user in Hamilton, NJ.Posted: July 13th, 2011 02:07PM
Car Make: FordCar Model: Focus
Auto Shop: Ford
Balanced all 4 tires due to steering wheel shaking at highway speeds.
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Tires rotated & balanced
Amount: $38.00
Posted by: jd525 in Marlborough, MO.Posted: June 8th, 2011 09:06AM
Car Make: HyundaiCar Model: Santa Fe
Auto Shop: Riechbeiters Auto Shop
My car is a 2003 and vibrated at 60mph+....this fixed the problem!
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Tire rotate/balance; front wheel alignment; oil change
Amount: $95.99
Posted by: a user in Statesboro, GA.Posted: June 7th, 2011 04:06AM
Car Make: ChevyCar Model: Tahoe
Auto Shop: Meineke
Go to meineke.com and print the coupon for the $49.95 supreme oil change. Then ask them to add on the alignment.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.walmart.com/cp/1087266
  2.  www.goodyear.com/en-US/services/tire-balancing
  3.  www.cartalk.com/content/today-dorothy-vs-husband-tire-balancing-act
  4.  www.bigotires.com/locations
  5.  www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/
  6.  www.goodyear.com/en-US/services
  7.  www.meineke.com/
  8.  www.pepboys.com/nonmgb/my_stores
  9.  tires2.costco.com/CostcoAdvantage.aspx
  10.  www.sears.com/automotive/v-1020005
  11.  www.ase.com/Landing-Pages/Car-Owners/Find-a-Repair-Shop/Shop-Locator.aspx
  12.  www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/how-to-find-a-great-car-mechanic/index.htm
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