Tire rotation is one of the most important preventative maintenance services your vehicle can receive. It helps ensure even tread wear that extends the life of your tires and provides a smoother ride. The process is simple and inexpensive, so it should be done on a regular basis.
Uneven tire wear causes the front and rear of your car’s tires to wear down at different rates, which can shorten their lives and cause them to lose traction on the road. This can result in an uncomfortable ride or unsafe driving conditions, especially on wet or icy roads. Fortunately, uneven tire wear can be easily avoided by having your tires regularly rotated by a certified mechanic.
During a Tire Rotation, your service professional will move each of your car’s tires to a different position on the vehicle. For example, if your front tires are worn out more than the rear ones, the service tech will move the back tires to the front and the front tires to the rear. They’ll also switch the side of each tire that they’re moving to a new location.
There are several different tire rotation patterns, but the best one for your car will depend on a few things, including the type of drivetrain you have and whether or not your tires are directional. Your owner’s manual will have a list of recommended tire rotation patterns, or you can ask your service technician to recommend one for your vehicle.
Front-to-Rear Rotation
Most vehicles have a front-wheel or all-wheel drive system, and the front tires tend to wear down more quickly than the rear ones. That’s because the front tires carry the weight of the vehicle, while the rear tires primarily provide traction. In order to maximize your tire life, you should have your front tires rotated every 5,000 miles, and the rear tires rotated on a semi-regular basis.
The Rearward Cross Pattern
This rotation pattern is the opposite of the forward cross pattern and is ideal for rear- and four-wheel drive vehicles. It moves the front tires to the rear and then switches their positions at the back, so that the left front tire is now the right rear tire, and vice versa.
The X-Pattern
This is a special rotation pattern that can be used for directional tires or for those with front-to-rear differences in tread depth. It requires a little more work for the service tech, but it’s worth the extra effort to ensure that your tires will wear evenly and you’ll get the most out of them.
In addition to tire rotation, your service tech will probably inspect your tires for any signs of damage or wear, as well as check the air pressure and have them rebalanced if needed. This is an excellent opportunity to have your tires visually inspected, and it’s a good idea to do this often to keep tabs on them. You can also schedule a tire inspection when you bring your car in for a routine oil change.