Tire Rotation: How It Works & Why It Matters
After dropping some serious cash on a new set of tires (they don’t come cheap!), you’re probably thinking, “How can I make these tires last as long as possible?” There are several ways to extend tire life, but one of the simplest and cheapest ways is regular tire rotations.
As you drive, your tires develop uneven treadwear patterns. Regular tire rotations improve the performance of your tires and help distribute tire wear evenly, which extends the life of your tires and, ultimately, saves you money.
Why Tire Rotations Matter
The position of a tire on your car affects how it wears down. For example, most vehicles have the engine in the front, so the front tires wear down more quickly than the rear tires.
Another factor that causes unequal wear in your tires is your turning habits. Generally, we turn left faster than we turn right. This puts more weight on the right front tire, causing it to wear down faster. As the miles on your car add up, you end up with uneven tread wear.
Rotating your tires equalizes these natural wear patterns by swapping the position of your tires. If you rotate your tires consistently, you will have a smoother and safer ride because your traction and handling will be consistent across all four tires.
Plus, it benefits you financially. You will be able to go longer between new sets of tires, and most tire manufacturers require regular tire rotations to keep the tires’ mileage warranty valid.
Note: Not all uneven treadwear is caused by driving patterns. Over- and under-inflation, suspension and alignment issues, and wheel imbalances also play a role. If your tires are showing signs of irregular wear, ask one of our tire techs to inspect your vehicle for potential causes.
How Often to Rotate Your Tires
The Tire Industry Association recommends that you get a tire rotation every 5,000–7,000 miles. But it’s a good idea to check your owner’s manual to see if the vehicle manufacturer has a different recommendation.
Going too long without a tire rotation means you’re likely to experience uneven tread wear. Not only is abnormal wear expensive, but it can be extremely dangerous.
An easy way to remember to get your tires rotated is to get them rotated when you get an oil change. They usually need to be done at the same time, and it’s a great time for your mechanic to fully inspect your tires, brakes and other critical components for potential issues.
Can you rotate your own tires?
Many car owners wonder if they can skip the trip to the auto repair shop and do the rotation themselves to save some time and money. However, a DIY tire rotation often ends up being more of a headache than it’s worth.
Doing it yourself can be extremely time-consuming and is impossible without the correct equipment. When it comes to rotating your tires, you’re better off bringing your vehicle to a professional.
Not only is it safer to have an expert handle your tire rotation, but it’s also easy to sync your tire rotations with other regular vehicle upkeep, like oil changes and scheduled maintenance.
Read: Tire Maintenance 101: Taking Care of Your Tires
If you decide to go the DIY route, you will need to know the correct tire rotation pattern based on your driving habits, vehicle make and model, and tire size and type.
Tire Rotation Patterns
Most manufacturers have a specific recommendation for the tire rotation pattern on your vehicle. If not, our tire techs will assess your vehicle and your tires to determine the best tire rotation pattern for your car.
Type of Vehicle
Different drivetrain configurations require different tire rotation patterns. Is your front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD)? Depending on which one applies to your car, we’ll use either a Forward Cross, Rearward Cross or X-Pattern rotation.
Tire rotations are especially important for AWD vehicles because their tires’ tread depth must all be within 2/32”. Any significant difference in tread depth compromises safety and risks damage to the drivetrain.
Type of Tire
Non-Directional Tires can be mounted on the wheel for any direction of rotation, so it doesn’t matter which side of the car these tires are on.
Directional Tires are specified for either the left or right side of the car. Their one-way tread pattern is optimized for the direction the tires rotate on the car. The tread grooves are angled to optimize handling and channel water out from under the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.
If your car has directional tires, they cannot be moved to the opposite side of the vehicle, so we will follow a Front-to-Rear rotation pattern.
If your rear tires are a different size from the front tires (staggered fitment) then we will follow a Side-to-Side rotation pattern.
If your tires are directional and different sizes, then you cannot rotate the tires unless you dismount, remount and rebalance the tires on the opposite side.
Spare Tire
You can rotate your spare tire into regular service if desired. However, the spare tire cannot be a temporary spare tire; it must be a full-size matching spare.
If you choose to use a matching spare, follow the Forward Cross pattern for FWD vehicles or the Rearward Cross pattern for RWD and 4WD vehicles.
Free Tire Rotations at Virginia Tire & Auto
A tire rotation is one of the cheapest car maintenance services you can get, coming in around $20-$30. And, if you do it right, you can get it for free every time!
When you buy tires at Virginia Tire & Auto, you’ll receive free lifetime tire rotations. And even if you bought your tires elsewhere, you can still get free tire rotations as a MyCar Club member when you pay with the Virginia Tire & Auto credit card.
Time for a tire rotation? Drop by your local Virginia Tire & Auto or schedule a visit online today!