How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?

To ensure the safety and longevity of your tires they should be rotated at various times throughout their lifespan. But how often should this be done? And what rotation pattern should you use?

Well, wonder no more, because the following dispels all the myths surrounding tire rotation with our simple-to-follow guide.

Tire Rotation: All the essential info

Why tire rotation is necessary
Tire rotation rules

Why tire rotation is necessary

Tires are the only part of the car that is in contact with the road. They have tread that allows them to grip the surface, hence the need to replace them when this wears down to the legal limit.

However, the placement of a tire on the vehicle will determine how fast this erosion takes place. Front-wheel drive cars differ from rear-wheel, 4WD, or All-Wheel-Drive in respect of the forces that cause wear. Other things that come into play include driving styles, the type of use (town driving, interstate, off-road, etc.), wheel tracking, and balancing.

All of these influence how individual tires wear—with none of them undergoing exactly the forces. Thus, to ensure that the tread on each reduces at roughly the same rate, it’s necessary to change the placement on the car.

Tire rotation rules

The general rule of thumb is that tires should be rotated approximately every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. However, there is always the exception to the rule, making it essential to consult the owner’s manual to determine what’s correct for your vehicle.

Tire rotation involves them being removed, swopped, and remounted. How this is done is dependent on which are the drive tires.

Front-wheel drive vehicles: Front tires are swopped to the same side on the rear. The rear tires are moved to the opposite side on the front.
Rear-wheel drive: Rear tires are moved to the same side on the front. The front tires are moved to the opposite side on the rear.
4WD, & AWD: These are best suited to the four-tire cross rotation pattern, meaning that each tire is crossed and re-installed on the opposing axle. So, the front left tire will end up on the rear right. The rear right goes to the front left.

The exception to this rule is if the vehicle is fitted with directional tread tires. In such cases, they must be rotated front to rear only.

Miscellaneous Tire Rotation Information

Tire rotation FAQs

Tire rotation FAQs

What safety benefits are there from rotating my car tires? It allows the tires to wear more evenly. This means there’s less risk of a blowout or tire failure. You also experience better grip and road handling.
What monetary benefits are there? Rotation increases the lifespan of the tire and improves fuel efficiency.
Should I include the spare? If the spare is a fully functioning tire (as opposed to an emergency one) then yes, it can be included in the rotation. It should be moved to the rear right axle. The tire that would have gone in this place then becomes the spare.

As you can see, tire rotation isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. If you’re at all unsure as to which rotation pattern to use, you should utilize the services of a professional car shop.

Head to Autobahn of Boca for the Correct Tire Rotation Service

At Autobahn of Boca, we automatically determine the correct vehicle tire rotation whenever we work on a vehicle’s wheels. Our technicians consider this to be a vital element of tire servicing, ensuring you get the best lifespan, road handling, grip, and—of course—safety.

A failure to correctly rotate tires can have a monetary cost and reduce how safe the vehicle is to drive. Get yours checked today. Head to https://www.autobahnofboca.com to find out more and call our friendly team to book your tire health appointment.