When to Rotate Your Tires

There are so many maintenance items that need to be done on your car, and sometimes it can be confusing why and when they should be done. One example of a confusing and often questioned maintenance practice is rotating your tires. Many car owners don’t fully understand the importance of tire rotation and the proper way it should be done. Especially with winter on the way, rotating your tires is a task that shouldn’t be left off your maintenance schedule.

Why do Tires Need Rotating?

The simplest answer to this question is; because tires wear unevenly.

The friction of the road on your tires causes the rubber to slowly wear away. This impact is increased for vehicles that are heavier and for vehicles that do a lot of braking. Front wheel drive vehicles will show more wear on the front tires, due to the differential being on the front and the stress that breaking puts on front tires. So, it’s especially important that you rotate the tires on your front wheel drive vehicles frequently.

Each tire on your car will wear differently depending on the age of the tire, the type of tire, and the location of the tire on your car. Other things that can impact the wear of your tire include turning (your left front or outside tire will wear faster) and mechanical issues such as your wheels being out of alignment.

How to Rotate Tires

Our first suggestion for rotating tires is that unless you are experienced with this task, let an auto care professional do the work for you. Many tire stores will provide free rotation and balancing if you have purchased your tires there and have the optional insurance package.

Rotating tires correctly is really vehicle dependent, but there are some standard recommendations. First of all, for most tires and vehicles, you should rotate your tires every 8,000 miles or so. Some tires or vehicles may recommend a more frequent rotation schedule. Then the general recommendation is that tires should be rotated front to back, and crossing the tires when moving them to the back. Crossing the tires in the back is not necessary for all vehicles and is not recommended for unidirectional tires. These can only be moved from front to back on the same side of the car. Your car care professional will know which way is best for your vehicle.

If you have two tires that are in better condition and show less wear than the other two, it is sometimes recommended that these tires are placed on the back of the car. This will increase the grip your car has on the road.

The Benefits of Rotating Tires

There are some great benefits to rotating your tires regularly. First, let us start with improved wear and life of your tires. Tires are a big expense for most cars. If you can extend the life of your tires, just by a simple rotation, you save money in the long term. If that doesn’t do it for you, rotating tires allows your tires to wear evenly and this is a big safety factor for your car. Finally, rotating tires regularly and allowing them to wear evenly provides better road performance and gas mileage for your car.

I Need a Tire Rotation or New Tires Near Fraser, Michigan!

Rotating your tires is an important maintenance task for your car that improves safety, performance, and saves you money. If your tires haven’t been rotated in a while, stop by Car Guys Auto Center. Our full-service auto repair shop in Fraser, MI can help you care for your car from top to bottom. For more information on our services or to schedule a repair appointment, call us today at (586) 285-4444.