A tire balancer’s “smart weight” function represents a balancing mode that aims to minimize the total amount of weight required to achieve optimal tire and wheel assembly balance. It typically involves the balancer’s software analyzing multiple imbalance readings from the tire and wheel, calculating not just where to add weight, but also how to distribute it strategically. For example, instead of placing a single large weight on one location, the balancer might suggest smaller weights on both the inner and outer planes of the wheel.
The primary importance of this functionality lies in its contribution to improved vehicle performance and ride comfort. By minimizing the amount of weight attached to the wheel, the potential for weight-related vibration and stress on the suspension components is reduced. Furthermore, reducing the total weight can contribute slightly to improved fuel efficiency. Historically, tire balancing focused solely on achieving balance, regardless of the weight used. The introduction of this feature represents an advancement, striving for both balance and weight minimization.
