What Does It Mean to Rotate Your Tires?
Rotating your tires means moving them around. You should move the front tires to the back and vice versa so that they wear evenly. There are multiple patterns for doing this, each designed with a specific type of vehicle in mind.
If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the front wheels will wear down faster because they do most of the work. The opposite is true when you have a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
When rotating tires, you usually want to do it in a specific order. The tires that bear the brunt of the driving will be moved to the opposite end and side of the vehicle. The ones with less load will be moved to the opposite end on the same side. For example, in a front-wheel drive, the front left wheel would be placed on the rear right side and the front right tire on the rear left side. The rear left tire would become the front left tire. The rear right tire would become the front right tire. You just reverse the process for a rear-drive car or truck.
3 Reasons to Change Your Tires Around
Worn tires can be dangerous. When just one or two tires are wearing out more quickly than the others, it can be quite noticeable. The treads will be smoother, which means they have less grip. In wet or snowy weather, this could prove very dangerous.
Worn tires are also at higher risk for bursting or going flat. You can avoid a potentially lethal accident by simply rotating your tires regularly.
However, you can also save money by rotating your tires. This technique helps your tires last longer, resulting in fewer replacements. Since tires can be pricey, You will end up saving quite a bit of money.
How Often to Rotate Tires
The general rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 5,000 miles or so, although your vehicle’s guide may recommend a different number. Or you may choose to rotate your tires every 6 months or whenever you do an oil change.
DIY Tire Rotation vs. a Service
In order to take each tire off and then put it back on in a different position at home, you must get creative. If you have a vehicle lift, it won’t be a big issue. However, you’ll need a couple of jacks to lift both sides of the car, and it can be rather awkward. It’s also a hassle to remove the bolts on every single wheel and switch them all around.
In general, you’ll find a service to be a simpler, less annoying way to ensure your tires are rotated. It’s better to get the job done regularly rather than wait until you have the time or the tools. Services like My Treads will even come to you to do the rotation.
The Treads App
With our handy app, you can easily add all your family vehicles and schedule reminders to rotate and change your tires. It’s more than just a tire reminder, though. We also let you know if there are any vehicle recalls for your model. Set up your primary vehicle as well as any vehicles in the household and let it remind you when to rotate those tires for safety.
We also make it simple to schedule rotation and tire installation. Download the My Treads App today and automate your tire care.
