Those tiny metal blocks stuck to your wheels are easy to overlook. Some are clipped onto the rim, while others are tucked behind the spokes or attached to the inside of the wheel. But they serve an important purpose: they help balance the entire tire-and-wheel assembly.
Without them, even a small difference in how the weight is distributed around the tire and wheel can create noticeable vibrations as the assembly spins faster. Wheel balancing is designed to counteract those differences and help the assembly rotate smoothly. And despite their simple appearance, those little weights can tell you quite a bit about what's happening with your tires.