The Simple Services That Protect Your Car and Your Tires

If your vehicle has started to feel a little off — maybe there’s a subtle vibration at highway speeds or your steering wheel sits at an odd angle — it might be time to schedule a tire balance and alignment. While these are two different services, they’re often performed together because both affect how your car handles, how your tires wear, and how safe your vehicle is on the road.

At Raymond’s Tire Shop in Boston, we offer full-service tire care, including expert balancing and precision alignments. In this article, we’ll walk you through what each service entails, what signs to watch for, and why staying on top of them is one of the smartest things you can do for your vehicle — and your wallet.

Tire Balancing: Solving the Shake

What it is:

Tire balancing corrects uneven distribution of weight in your wheels. When a tire or wheel is even slightly heavier on one side, it can cause a noticeable vibration when driving, especially at higher speeds.

How it works:

Our technicians remove the wheels from your vehicle and mount them on a computerized balancing machine. This machine spins each wheel to detect imbalances, then tells us exactly where to place small weights to correct them. The result is a smoother ride, improved fuel efficiency, and longer tire life.

Signs you might need it:

• Vibrations in the steering wheel or seat while driving
• Uneven or rapid tire wear
• A noisy ride, especially at certain speeds



Even brand-new tires can be slightly imbalanced out of the box, so balancing is recommended whenever you install new tires.

Wheel Alignment: Keeping You Straight and Steady

What it is:

Alignment refers to how your wheels are angled relative to the car’s frame and to each other. When alignment is off, your vehicle can pull to one side, the steering may feel loose, or your tires can wear unevenly and prematurely.

How it works:

We use state-of-the-art alignment equipment to measure and adjust three key angles:

• Camber (inward/outward tilt of the wheel)
• Toe (direction the tires point relative to the center)
• Caster (steering axis tilt from front to back)

By bringing your wheels back into factory-specified alignment, we ensure that your tires meet the road evenly and that your car handles properly.

Signs you might need it:

• Car pulls left or right when driving straight
• Steering wheel is off-center
• Uneven or scalloped tire wear
• Poor handling or loose steering



Alignment can be affected by potholes (a common Boston issue), hitting a curb, or even normal wear and tear.

Why These Services Matter

While many drivers think of tire balancing and alignment as optional, the truth is they are critical for tire longevity and safe driving. Misaligned wheels or imbalanced tires can shorten your tire life by thousands of miles, increase wear on suspension components, and reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.



Most manufacturers recommend checking your alignment annually or any time you notice a change in how your vehicle handles. Tire balancing is often done with each tire rotation (about every 5,000 to 6,000 miles), or whenever you feel vibration or install new tires.

Full-Service Tire Care in Boston

At Raymond’s Tire Shop, we’ve been keeping Boston drivers safe and comfortable for years. Whether you’re noticing a vibration, your tires are wearing out too fast, or you just want peace of mind, our technicians are here to help.

We service all makes and models and offer walk-in availability for most services. Plus, we carry a wide range of new and used tires in stock, so if your balancing or alignment reveals deeper issues, we’ve got you covered.

Visit Raymond’s Tire Shop today or call ahead to schedule your balance and alignment service. Your tires — and your suspension — will thank you.