Tire Rotation Service:

$20.00 for most vehicles

Our Service includes:

• Checking tire pressure
• Inspecting tires to identify visible damage or abnormal wear patterns
• Rotating tires according to the pattern recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer
• Installing lug nuts/bolts to the proper torque specifications*

Tire rotation helps protect tires against uneven wear.  Most tires will exhibit some form of wear based on numerous factors including: wheel alignment, miles driven, driving style and habits, and tire location on the vehicle. By moving or “rotating” the tires as recommended by the vehicle manufacturers, tires may wear more evenly; helping extend the life of the tires.

We recommend that you return within 500 miles of driving and Tega Cay Wash and Lube will re-torque lug nuts/bolts free of charge.

Tire Balancing with Rotation:

…starting at $39.99 and up.

Maintaining the tire balance on your vehicle is critical to providing a smooth ride and is a key component in tire wear.

Perhaps the most compelling argument for precision balancing comes from an obvious fact: vehicles are being made lighter and lighter. Older cars were heavy and actually helped smooth out the ride by dispersing  many vibrations. Another factor is tire technology. Generally, more responsive tires with lower profiles are being used in today’s style and performance oriented market. This sends more road feedback to the driver. As a result, the slightest imbalance can be felt in most modern vehicles. Vehicles that have plus-sized tires and wheels, balancing  plays a more critical role.

How Balancing Works:

Perhaps the best way to begin is to discuss the lack of balance. When a tire is mounted on the wheel, two slightly imperfect units are joined to form an assembly weighing forty pounds ( the average for cars). The chance of this assembly having absolutely precise weight distribution in its radial and lateral centers is virtually impossible.  It takes only a half an ounce of uneven weight distribution for a vibration to be felt.

• Static Imbalance
  Occurs when there is a heavy or light spot in the tire that prevents the tire from rolling evenly and causing the tire and wheel to undergo an up-and-down motion.
• Dynamic Imbalance
  Occurs when there is unequal weight on one or both sides of the tire/wheel assembly’s lateral center-line, thus creating a side-to-side wobble.

The static imbalance creates a hop or vertical vibration. The dynamic imbalance creates a side-to-side or wobbling vibration. Most wheels have both types of imbalance, and require dynamic balancing (commonly referred to as spin balancing) to create even weight distribution. The balancing machine directs a technician to place counter weights on the rim’s outer surface to offset the imbalance. When the balancing system tests for virtually perfect weight distribution, the wheel assembly is in balance and should not vibrate. Your tires will ride smoothly and wear evenly with regard to balance.

Keeping Your Tires Balanced:

For example, assume you have put  5,000 miles on your tires since their purchase and it’s time to rotate. During that time, hitting bumps and holes,  turning left and right, and driving down uneven road surfaces have caused uneven tread wear on your tires. It’s possible that a pothole has knocked-out your vehicle’s alignment creating uneven tire wear. Well, besides rotating the tires and getting an alignment to set things right, you should also rebalance the tires. Even if you can’t feel vibrations, they are present. The uneven tread wear will created an imbalance that generates excessive heat and wear on your tires. Considering the money you spent on your tires, a rebalance is a wise decision.

Sources of Other Vibration:

Very often the wheel and tire assemblies on a vehicle may be in balance but you can still feel a vibration. Here are some of the other causes of vibration:

• Bent wheel
• Tire out of round (radial or lateral runout)
• Wheel-to-axle mounting error
• Inconsistent tire sidewall stiffness (force variation)
• Brake component wear or failure
• Drive train or engine component wear or failure
• Suspension wear or failure
• Wheel bearing wear or failure
• Wheel alignment is out

Balancing High Performance Tires and Wheels:

• Match Mounting
  Today’s high performance tires and wheels are made with features that facilitate optimum mounting. Wheels are marked to identify the minimum radial run-out spot (low point) on the bead seat surface. Tires are marked with a high point location. Mounting the assembly to match these two points is called match mounting. This method minimizes the balance weight needed to correct any remaining imbalance and the radial run-out that may occur in the wheel/tire assembly.
• Force Variance
  On rare occasions, a tire may be manufactured with slightly inconsistent sidewall stiffness (creating what is called force variance) which leads to a ride problem. A new generation of balancers can detect this condition. The balancers can also guide tire technicians to remount the tire in an optimum position that puts the assembly within specification and eliminates the problem. If specifications cannot be achieved, the defective tire will be identified for replacement.
• Wheel Weight Placement
  Many of today’s wheel designs demand unique wheel weight placement to achieve both precise balance and aesthetic appeal.

Standard balance uses only clip-on weights as shown. This method is usually done on original equipment steel or alloy wheels. Different type wheel weights are used for each type of wheel.
Mixed weights balance uses both clip-on and adhesive weights. The balance planes maintain the weights behind the face of the wheel.
The use of adhesive weights is typically reserved for chrome or other wheels with a delicate finish. The balance planes maintain the weights behind the face of the wheel.