During the seasonal tire changeover, drivers often wonder whether wheel balancing is necessary, especially if the wheels were stored as complete assemblies. Roman Timashov, Aftersales Service Director at Avtodom Altufyevo, provided guidance on the essential steps for preparing a vehicle for a new season.

Key recommendations for tire maintenance

The expert emphasized that even if wheels are stored in assembly, they should undergo inspection and maintenance due to wear, dirt, and potential changes caused by storage conditions. One of the primary steps is checking the wheels for defects that could compromise safety.

  • Inspect rims and tires for bulges, cuts, or corrosion.
  • Clean the inner side of the rims to remove dirt.
  • Check the tire manufacturing date; rubber older than 8 years is not recommended for use.
  • Ensure the wheel hub and wheel bearing are free from dirt and oxidation.
  • Adjust tire pressure to the required standard.

Maintenance guidelines

5,000–10,000km recommended for balancing
8years maximum recommended tire age
0.1atm pressure drop per 10°C temperature drop
0.2atm recommended increase for winter

Context

Roman Timashov is the Aftersales Service Director at Avtodom Altufyevo. The recommendations were shared in response to seasonal vehicle maintenance needs.