Tire rotation involves rotating or repositioning tires by moving them from one side of the vehicle to the other. This can also include moving them from front to back. Tires can be prone to wear differently depending on their position, the condition of your suspension, as well as the way you drive. When your service technician rotates the tires on your car, typically the front tires are exchanged with the rear tires. In most cases the driver side tires stay on the driver side and the passenger side tires stay on that side, however with certain types of vehicles or tires this approach may vary.
Why is tire rotation necessary?
Tire rotation is an essential maintenance operation that over time will save you money by protecting your tire investment. Rotating your tires is so important because of the different ways front and rear tires wear. Front tires are subjected to much more pressure than rear tires, so the tread wears faster on the front tires. By rotating the tires, you can balance out the wear, getting the most out of all four tires, and making sure that all four tires have a safe amount of tread. This is why regular tire rotation also enhances driving safety. And as if safety were not reason enough to have regular tire rotations done, keep in mind that inconsistent tread wear can lead to poor performance and bad gas mileage.
You spend a lot of money on those tires! Why not protect your investment? Tire rotation service will keep your vehicle safe and to keep your tires properly maintained to get the most from them.
How often is tire rotation necessary?
Generally speaking, tire rotation is recommended every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Your service manual will provide you with the best maintenance schedule for your particular make and model vehicle.
Next in our Taking Charge of Car Maintenance series, we will look at Coolant Flushes.
