Is it Time for a Tire Rotation?

August 28th, 2014

Tire rotation is an easy maintenance item that has long term benefits for any vehicle. When properly maintained, tire rotations can improve fuel economy, extend tire life and provide drivers better handling through improved stability. Frequently servicing vehicles with tire rotations is imperative to sustaining tire tread by ensuring all tires are used evenly without excessive wear to one section or another.

Normal tread wear is unavoidable due to uneven vehicle weight dispersal, vehicle performance, etc. Without tire rotations, tires continue to wear on the same areas over and over, causing irreversible damage to tire tread which drastically decreases tire life. Engine weight accounts for a major portion of vehicle weight, causing front tires to wear significantly faster than back tires. Front tires also take all responsibilities for steering, turning and receiving first impact with any objects on the road.

However, some causes of uneven tire wear result from other mechanical issues existing in the vehicle. When not aligned properly, tires tend to drag or wear irregularly. When experiencing symptoms such as the vehicle pulling to the left or to the right, vibration, or road noise coming from the tires, the vehicle should be taken to an automotive technician quickly for diagnosis and repair. The diagnosis could include misalignment, front end suspension wear, etc. Repair is crucial to the life of the tire and the longevity and safety of the vehicle. Lastly, check tire pressure often, as having incorrect tire pressure will decrease fuel economy and destroy treads.

Servicing vehicles with frequent tire rotations is one step that is both simple and inexpensive to provide a dramatic positive impact on the future of any vehicle. Improve overall performance and save money on future auto repairs and tire replacements by spending only a few minutes to have a tire rotation. Consult an auto repair or tire professional to regularly perform tire rotations. At the least, schedule tire rotations every 6,000 to 8,000 miles for vehicle safety and tire quality.

  Posted in: Tire 101