“Mount and balance” gets mentioned any time you buy new tires, but a lot of people aren’t totally sure what’s actually happening in the shop. Here’s the process, step by step.
Step 1: Removing the old tire
The wheel comes off the car, and the old tire is broken down off the rim using a tire machine. Old wheel weights are removed at this point too.
Step 2: Mounting the new tire
The new tire is seated onto the rim and inflated to the correct pressure, checking that the bead seals evenly all the way around. A new valve stem usually goes in at this stage.
Step 3: Balancing
Even a well-made tire isn’t perfectly even in weight distribution. The wheel and tire assembly spins on a balancing machine, which identifies exactly where small weights need to be added to the rim so the tire spins smoothly at speed — without balancing, you’d feel a vibration that gets worse the faster you drive.
Step 4: Reinstalling and torquing
The wheel goes back on the car, and lug nuts are tightened to the manufacturer’s exact torque spec — not just “tight,” since over- or under-tightening can cause problems later.
Why it’s not a step to skip
Buying tires online and having them shipped to a shop for install still requires this full process. A rushed or skipped balance is one of the most common reasons a “new tire” ride feels rougher than expected.
Getting new tires or wheels? Every set we sell includes proper mount and balance. Check out our wheel and tire options or call (226) 698-1667.
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