Why should you get your tires rotated? Because it’s one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your tires and get the most miles out of them. So, how often should you rotate your tires?
Having your tires rotated about every 3000 to 5000 miles, or at least every time you go in for an oil change. We will also explain how to rotate your tires, how long a tire rotation takes, and other essential things you should keep in mind. Keep reading.
What is a Tire Rotation?
Rotating the tires on your vehicle means moving them to different positions on your car or truck. This encourages uniform tread wear across all four tires.
No matter how you drive, the wear rates of the front and rear tires can vary. Tires that are mounted on the drive axle (the front two wheels on a front-wheel drive or back two on a rear-wheel drive) wear more quickly than the “free rolling” tires on the other axle.
How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?
Your tires will wear out at a different rate depending on whether your car has front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive. Since they must perform more work, driven wheels frequently wear out more quickly. A front-wheel-drive car, for example, uses its hard-working front wheels to steer, brake, and put the power down to the pavement (all while carrying the added weight of a front-mounted engine and transaxle).
By rotating your tires, you can extend their lifespan by allowing them to wear more evenly. He advises rotating your tires every three thousand to five thousand miles, or at the very least each time you get your oil changed. Plan on rotating your tires at least once every six months, even if your owner’s manual specifies that your car doesn’t require new oil that frequently.
How to Rotate Your Tires?
Three tire-rotation patterns cover most of today’s vehicles, as long as they are fitted with equal-size tires front and rear and those tires are not unidirectional (meaning they have to rotate in only one direction to function properly).
Rotation pattern for front-drive vehicles: Change the front tires immediately to the rear position on the same side. Move the rear tires to the opposing front corner (for example)., the right rear tire gets moved to the left front).
Rotation pattern for rear-drive vehicles: After moving each front tire to the opposing rear corner (for instance, from the right front to the left rear), move the rear tires straight to the front.
Rotation pattern for all-wheel-drive vehicles: Cross all four tires (move the right front to the left rear, the left front to the right rear, the left rear to the right front, and the right rear to the left front).
Having an all-wheel drive vehicle doesn’t make you exempt from tire rotation maintenance, despite the fact that tough-looking SUVs are all the rage. That is a common misconception. Even with all-wheel drive, not all of the wheels are always driven. Additionally, depending on the driving conditions and the selected drive mode, transfer cases and electronically controlled differentials can distribute power between the front and rear wheels. Tire wear can also be impacted by a vehicle’s inherent weight distribution between the front and rear.
Vehicles with different front and rear wheel sizes and those with unidirectional tires, or tires made to rotate in only one direction, need to be given extra attention. In many cases, this setup is used on high-performance vehicles, and tire-rotation patterns need to be adjusted to suit. In fact, some of these so-called staggered-tire packages can’t be rotated unless the tires are removed and then put back on the wheels on the opposite side. Rotating the tires might not always be worth the effort, cost, or time.
Why Are Tire Rotations Important?
Properly rotated tires can make for a smoother ride. You can save time and money by extending the life of your tires. You can maximize the tread life of each tire by rotating your tires to even out wear. Regular rotations are equally important, even if you have an all-wheel drive vehicle.
How Long Does a Tire Rotation Take?
Every 5,000 miles, you should have your tires rotated. Usually, this is a quick procedure. The professionals at Les Schwab will take the time to do a thorough tire rotation by also balancing your Les Schwab tires, checking your air pressure, doing a visual check of important safety systems, and documenting anything you should be aware of during the process. Once your vehicle is in our service bays, you can expect this procedure to be completed in about half an hour. Taking the time to make tire rotations a part of your normal vehicle maintenance regimen can add significant life to your tires, promote even tire wear for a smoother and more comfortable ride, and save you money in the long run.
What Happens If I Don’t Rotate My Tires?
What happens if you don’t complete a maintenance cycle? The treads will wear unevenly and become partially bald,creating an irregular, uneven driving surface. Insufficient tread is the reason for more than 25% of tire-related accidents.
Here are a few major issues that arise when you don’t rotate your tires.
Hydroplaning
Tire tread is designed with deep grooves to help channel away water. The grooves keep water from your tires while you’re driving through puddles, keeping the tread in contact with the pavement. Instead of gripping the ground, poorly worn tires will glide across it, making steering and vehicle control challenging, if not impossible.
Poor Traction
It’s not just important to have treads when it’s raining. If you’re driving in snow, you need them just as much; that’s why people in snowy areas use special winter tires with extra-deep treads. Bald or partially bald tires are dangerous in these circumstances, and you might experience problems on gravel roads, dirt roads, or even regular asphalt.
Excessive Heat
Because of their contact with the ground, your tires produce friction as they spin. Tires are designed to withstand this friction, but the treads themselves play a role in this design. Just as the channels wick water away from the tires, they also draw air through the treads, creating a cooling effect. Less cooling will be provided by your tread as it becomes more worn, which raises the possibility of tire failure.
Blowouts
When your tire gets worn down, it can become so thin that the tire blows out. A tire that is severely worn is more susceptible to punctures, even in the absence of a blowout.
FAQs
Is It OK to Rotate Tires Every 10000 Miles?
Most manufacturers typically recommend rotating your tires every 5,000-10,000 miles, or at the same time as your regularly scheduled oil changes.
Is It OK to Rotate Tires Once a Year?
We suggest you follow the recommended schedule outlined in your owner’s manual, but rotate the tires (and change the oil) at least once a year. You don’t have to take your car to a dealership to have a regular rotation done, and many tire retailers and other repair facilities will complete both tasks for about $30 in total.
Can It Be Too Late to Rotate Tires?
Is it too late? As long as the tires aren’t bald or showing chords, it’s never too late to start rotating your tires. It will still lengthen tire life, even if you don’t get as much out of them as you would if you rotated them right away.
Should I Rotate Tires Every Oil Change?
You should, on average, rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. A good way to remember is to have them rotated every time you get an oil change. For example, if you drive a performance car or if you notice significant uneven wear, you might need to get your tires rotated more frequently.
Summary: How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?
Having your tires rotated about every 3000 to 5000 miles, or at least every time you go in for an oil change.
As you can see, rotating your tires regularly is important for your car’s efficiency as well as for handling and safety. Thank goodness, it’s a quick and inexpensive service. By having your tires rotated on the proper schedule, you’ll ensure that they perform as well as possible for as long as possible.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
