Tire Balance

This procedure covers balancing all four tires on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo to correct vibrations and ensure even tire wear.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Wheel weights (clip-on or adhesive) × 1 — As needed based on balance requirements

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen all wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while wheels are still on ground
3. Lift vehicle at designated jacking points and secure on jack stands at all four corners
4. Remove all four wheels and inspect for damage, bent rims, or debris lodged in tread

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove existing wheel weights
   Inspect each wheel and remove all existing clip-on or adhesive wheel weights. Use wheel weight pliers for clip-on weights. For adhesive weights, use a plastic scraper if needed. Clean the weight mounting surfaces on the rim with a wire brush or cloth to remove residue and dirt.
2. 2

   Inspect tire and wheel assembly
   Check each tire for irregular wear patterns, bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Inspect the wheel rim for bends, cracks, or damage that could prevent proper balancing. Verify tire size matches vehicle specifications (215/50R17 or 235/40R18 depending on trim). Check that valve stems are in good condition and not leaking.
3. 3

   Mount first tire on balancer
   Mount the first wheel/tire assembly on the wheel balancer machine. Ensure the wheel is centered properly on the balancer cone or hub adapter. Follow the balancer manufacturer's instructions for securing the wheel. Input wheel diameter, width, and offset measurements into the balancer.
4. 4

   Balance first wheel
   Spin the wheel on the balancer and wait for the machine to calculate imbalance. The balancer will indicate weight amount and placement location (inner and/or outer rim). Install the correct weight(s) at the indicated positions. Use clip-on weights for steel wheels or adhesive weights for alloy wheels. Re-spin to verify balance is within 0.25 oz or manufacturer specification.
5. 5

   Balance remaining three wheels
   Repeat the balancing process for the remaining three wheels. For each wheel, mount on balancer, spin to measure imbalance, install weights as indicated, and verify final balance. Mark each wheel position (LF, RF, LR, RR) with chalk or tape to ensure proper reinstallation.
6. 6

   Check and adjust tire pressures
   Using a tire pressure gauge, check the pressure of all four tires. Inflate or deflate to the recommended pressure shown on the driver's door jamb placard (typically 33 PSI front and rear for this model, but verify for your specific vehicle). Ensure all valve caps are installed.
7. 7

   Reinstall wheels
   Mount each wheel back onto its original position on the vehicle. Hand-thread all lug nuts to prevent cross-threading. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern by hand or with a wrench, but do not fully torque while vehicle is on jack stands.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
   Carefully lower the vehicle until all wheels are touching the ground but vehicle weight is not fully on wheels. Remove jack stands. Lower vehicle completely to the ground. Torque all lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern using a torque wrench. Double-check torque on all wheels after torquing the first time.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all lug nuts are torqued to specification in a star pattern
2. Verify valve caps are installed on all four wheels
3. Store jack and jack stands properly

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at various speeds (25-65 mph) to verify vibration has been eliminated
• Check for steering wheel shake or seat vibration that would indicate balance issues remain
• Re-check lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving
• If vibration persists, verify wheels are not bent and tires do not have internal damage or belt separation

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