Tire rotation & wheel balance

[ken88]

I need to rotate the 4 tires on my 2008 MDX. I am told I need to re-balance each tire. Is that so or the dealer is trying to rip me off? If that is the case, does that mean every time I rotate the tires, they need to be re-balanced? I thought once each tire is balanced, they can rotate and there is no need to do it again. Thanks for all your response.

[Bill_de]

There should be no need to balance the tires. Use a different shop or rotate them yourself.

[Tsturbo]

My dealer charges $20.00 total to rebalance and rotate, IMO that is a bargain, I have it done every oil change. As your tires wear, I think it is a good idea to ensure proper balancing. It certainly can't hurt.

[cl206]

Originally Posted by ken88

I need to rotate the 4 tires on my 2008 MDX. I am told I need to re-balance each tire. Is that so or the dealer is trying to rip me off? If that is the case, does that mean every time I rotate the tires, they need to be re-balanced? I thought once each tire is balanced, they can rotate and there is no need to do it again. Thanks for all your response.

You don't really need to. But if it's like $20/25 then I might go for it. When I took my Lexus es350 in for a rotation and inspection one time, a indy shop told me they have to do a balance with the rotation and they wanted $50. I said no thanks and haven't been back.

[pianoman41]

I rotate faithfully every 10,000 miles, but I only spin balance if I feel a vibration through the steering wheel or driver's seat. And I only get an alignment if I see premature or uneven wear or when I have a new set of tires installed.

[nsxtasy]

Originally Posted by pianoman41

I rotate faithfully every 10,000 miles, but I only spin balance if I feel a vibration through the steering wheel or driver's seat.

No need to get tires re-balanced unless you're feeling some kind of vibration (or getting them re-mounted on different wheels, of course).

Originally Posted by pianoman41

And I only get an alignment if I see premature or uneven wear or when I have a new set of tires installed.

There's no need to get an alignment when you get new tires, unless the old ones were wearing unevenly or unusually fast. OTOH there are other reasons to get an alignment - if you make changes to your car's suspension (new shocks/springs etc), if your car is pulling to one side, if you hit a pothole really hard, etc. And in the absence of those things, an alignment is still probably not a bad idea after a long time or a lot of miles, just because similar things (e.g. potholes) can accumulate over time and cause enough of a change that it may be worth checking.

[qqzj]

you'd better make sure. 20 bucks is typically rotation only. balance is more expensive.

Originally Posted by Tsturbo

My dealer charges $20.00 total to rebalance and rotate, IMO that is a bargain, I have it done every oil change. As your tires wear, I think it is a good idea to ensure proper balancing. It certainly can't hurt.

[domano]

buy your tires at a place that provides free rotation, balance and road hazard - if you do it every 10,000 miles and get 60,000 out of the tires, that 6 times or a savings of between $150 - $300; plus you get the free road hazard. I would always balance when I rotate - if you think you shouldn't, have them spin it when you rotate and you'll be surprised it'll be out of balance.

[Tsturbo]

Originally Posted by qqzj

you'd better make sure. 20 bucks is typically rotation only. balance is more expensive.

I'm sure. It is quite the bargain

[tom34diy]

No need to balance unless you can feel a problem. And, rotating can be done at home with a good size floor jack, and using the spare in the process. The added benefit to this is getting the spare out and making sure it has air in it. But, say no to the routine rebalancing.