You may know that you’re supposed to have your tires rotated on a regular basis, but do you know why? It’s not a money-making scheme by tire manufacturers or mechanics. In truth, it’s for the health of your wallet as well as your own safety (uneven wear can cause poor handling, particularly on wet or snowy Connecticut roads). Simply put, your front tires wear faster than your rear tires, and this can have implications on how your vehicle handles. While it’s true that today’s tires are more durable than tires of the past, this doesn’t mean they don’t require rotation regularly.
According to Edmunds, with each turn of the steering wheel, the pressure is brought to bear on the front tires. (This is even more accentuated in front-wheel-drive cars, where the front wheels also supply the main motive power for the vehicle.) Resistance causes friction, which in turn produces heat. This results in front tires wearing faster than rear tires. Because of this, it's necessary to rotate the tires front-to-rear several times (not just swapping out tires on the same axle) during their life cycle so you can equalize tread wear and maximize the life of the tires.
If you have a vehicle that features front and rear tires of two different sizes – staggered wheels -- you can only swap tires side-to-side, not front to back. If your vehicle has tires are unidirectional (specific to one side of the car) or asymmetrical (the tread pattern changes from the inside of the tire to the outside), you can rotate them front to back but not side to side. If you have a vehicle that has entirely asymmetrical tires, you can’t rotate them at all, but this applies to very few vehicles.
Typically, tire rotation is recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, though there are exceptions. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual is the best source of guidance for tire rotation frequency. If you’re in doubt, it’s a good rule of thumb to have your tires rotated every time you get your vehicle’s oil changed.
Getting your tires rotated is key to getting the best performance from both your tires and your vehicle. If you can’t remember the last time you had your tires rotated, there’s a pretty good chance they’re overdue for service.
Contact Tire Country Auto Repair to schedule a full-service check-up and maintenance session for your tires to extend their usable life.
Enfield, Connecticut-based Tire Country sells and maintains all brands of passenger vehicle and light truck tires as well as industrial tires. Our staff will help you understand the basics of tire care and maintenance, including rotation, so you can save money in the long run and ensure a safe ride.
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