Tire rotation is an important task when it comes to car maintenance. This process helps reduce uneven tread wear and expand the lifespan of your tires. However, the question is: “how often should you rotate your tires?”.
In this article, we will provide you with all you need to know about tire rotation. In the end, you’ll get your answer about how often you should do it.
So, let’s dive right into it.
What Is A Tire Rotation?
Tire rotation refers to switching the position of all the tires on your vehicle. It is recommended for every vehicle at a specific time. There are various signs that you can look out for to know when your tires are due for rotation, such as:
- Loss of tire pressure
- Uneven tire wear
- Vibrations when driving at high speed
TIRE ROTATION PATTERNS
Tire rotation is in no way a random act. There are different tire rotation patterns that help in terms of car maintenance:
- Rearward Cross
- X-Pattern
- Forward Cross
- Front-to-Rear
- Side-to-Side
However, they are not ideal for every situation. For example, a car with five tires will need a different rotation pattern from another with four tires. The one suitable for you depends on several factors, including:
- The type of tire you’re using (directional or non-directional)
- The number of tires
- Your vehicle’s wheel drive (front, rear, all, or four-wheel drive)
Why Is Tire Rotation Important?
As mentioned above, regularly rotating your tires is an essential part of car maintenance. However, if you’re wondering how important tire rotation is, here are some benefits to consider:
Enhanced Safety
Tire rotation improves your vehicle’s traction on the road. This means that you have better control when you need the car to stop quickly, make sharp turns, or while traveling through extreme weather conditions. As a result, you can enjoy enhanced road safety.
Smoother Ride
Tires wear differently because they carry varying loads and also perform different tasks. However, you can ensure even tread wear with tire rotation. The more evenly worn they are, the more comfortable and smoother your rides will be.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
Unevenly worn tires cause increased friction because of uneven contact with the road. Due to this, your vehicle will need to work harder and use more fuel to keep on moving.
When you have your tires rotated, it helps to create more balance and reduces friction between the tires and the road. This ultimately helps to improve your car’s fuel economy.
Longer-Lasting Tires And Suspension
Tires with uneven tread wear go bad faster and cause vibrations that can damage the car’s suspension system. However, regular tire rotation effectively extends the durability and lifespan of your tires and suspension.
What Happens If You Don’t Rotate Your Tires?
Failing to rotate your tires causes several short issues that can evolve into long-term damage. For example, the treads of your tires will wear unevenly, causing rough and unbalanced driving. This can lead to poor handling in extreme weather conditions because of reduced traction.
Besides, if you don’t rotate your tires, it could cause hydroplaning and vibrations. It also leads to the increased risk of your tires getting punctured, a blowout, and reduced lifespan. Overall, not rotating your tires compromises your road safety and could endanger the lives of other drivers on the road.
How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?
Ideally, you should rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. However, it also depends on your vehicle type, tire type, and driving style. In some cases, you may have to do it more or less often than other car owners.
We also advise you to check your vehicle’s manual or consult a tire technician in your area to get more specific recommendations. That way, you can have your tires rotated at the right time.
How Long Does A Tire Rotation Take?
How long it takes to do a tire rotation depends on whether you do it yourself or at a mechanic shop. While you might spend around one hour rotating your tires on your own, it only takes a mechanic about 15 – 30 minutes to do it.
How Much Does A Tire Rotation Cost?
A tire rotation isn’t as expensive as other maintenance procedures. Typically, it could cost about $24 to $50 to get it done. Sometimes, it could be up to $120. This is because the price varies depending on where you take your vehicle and other services that might be included.
Conclusion
Tire rotation is one of the most important maintenance activities you have to do on your vehicle. Thanks to this article, you now know what the benefits of tire rotation are and how often to do it. If you haven’t rotated your tires in a while (or ever), you should get it done as soon as possible.
Mark Johnson, a tire technician, is the Chief Editor of tiresgobe.com. He has 8 years of experience in working with tires and wheels. He has been writing articles to provide readers with the most accurate and honest guides and reviews related to this automotive field. Check him out on Facebook and Twitter.
