Wheel Balancing & TPMS Service: the full procedure
Balance the assembly, service and reset the TPMS, then hand-start and torque the lug nuts to the vehicle manufacturer spec in a star pattern with re-torque advice.
- Applies to: Tire technician.
- Frequency: Every wheel/tire installation.
- Scope: Defines the process. Torque values, TPMS relearn procedures, and inflation specs defer to the vehicle manufacturer.
What you need
- Wheel balancer
- Wheel weights
- TPMS tool / relearn scanner
- Calibrated torque wrench
- TPMS service kits
The procedure, step by step
- Balance the assembly — Spin the mounted assembly on the balancer and add the correct wheel weights to eliminate vibration.
- Service the TPMS — Inspect and service the TPMS sensor/service kit (valve core, seal, cap) as needed during the tire change.
- Set inflation to spec — Inflate to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure from the door placard, not the tire’s max sidewall pressure.
- Mount the wheel & hand-start — Clean the hub face, mount the wheel, and hand-start every lug nut to prevent cross-threading.
- Snug in a star pattern — Snug the lug nuts in a star (criss-cross) pattern so the wheel seats evenly against the hub.
- Torque to manufacturer spec — Torque to the vehicle manufacturer’s spec with a calibrated torque wrench in the star pattern — never an impact gun for final torque.
- Relearn the TPMS — Perform the manufacturer’s TPMS relearn so the dash light is off and sensors report correctly.
- Advise re-torque — Tell the customer to return for a re-torque check after roughly 50–100 miles per manufacturer guidance.
Quality check before you finish
- Assembly balanced to zero/near-zero.
- TPMS sensor serviced and relearn completed.
- Inflation set to door-placard spec.
- All lug nuts hand-started.
- Final torque applied with a calibrated wrench in a star pattern.
- TPMS warning light off.
- Re-torque advised to the customer.
This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Tire Shop business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.
Sources
- NHTSA / Vehicle Placard — Inflation & Torque Spec (nhtsa.gov)
- Tire Review — Star-Pattern Torque & Re-Torque (tirereview.com)
About Free Wheel Balancing & TPMS Service SOP for Tire Shops
Free printable balancing & TPMS SOP: balance, service/reset TPMS, hand-start lugs, torque to spec in a star pattern, and advise re-torque.
How to use
- Read the full procedure top to bottom before the work — the SOP runs in order and each step builds on the last.
- Toggle Ink-saver (black & white) for a cheaper mono print for the binder; leave it off for the full-color version.
- Click Print SOP to print or save as PDF. Print one per crew, laminate it for the binder, or attach it to the job in your scheduling system.
- Train new hires on it and have staff sign off. Found something out of date? Use the feedback link — flagged SOPs are re-researched against the source list.
Frequently asked questions
Why torque in a star pattern instead of around the wheel?
A star (criss-cross) pattern seats the wheel evenly against the hub and prevents warping; torque to the vehicle manufacturer’s spec with a calibrated wrench, not an impact gun.
Why advise a re-torque after 50–100 miles?
Heat cycling and seating can let lug nuts relax slightly; a re-torque check confirms they remain at the manufacturer’s spec.
Part of ToolFluency’s library of free online tools for Printables. No account needed, no data leaves your device.