THE IMPORTANCE OF TIRE ROTATION

Even if you have only taken a car to a repair shop once in your life, most likely the subject of tire rotation has come up during your visit. And with good reason. Rotation will allow your tires to wear evenly and possibly even keep your warranty valid. Why is this important? We’ll answer that question but first, even though it seems self-explanatory, but what is tire rotation?

Tire rotation explained

Rotation involves moving all the tires to new positions on your vehicle. Usually, swapping the front and rear tires. Changing passenger or driver side positions as well is typically left up to the manufacturer’s recommended wear pattern. In most cases, tire rotation should occur approximately every 5,000 miles, but that again, this is determined by the manufacturer. It’s not uncommon for higher mileage rotation to be recommended. Consult your user manual or better yet, leave it to the professionals.

But why is tire rotation so important?

New tires aren’t inexpensive, so when you buy a new set you want them to last. That’s the number one job of tire rotation -- extending the life of your tires. Rotating your tires allows for even wear, therefore, extending their usefulness and saving you money. But why does this help? The front tires on a front-wheel drive vehicle will wear much faster than the rear tires. And vice versa on a rear-wheel drive car. Keeping tread depths even is impossible if you don’t rotate your tires from front to back. And this leads to the next vital point, safety. Even tire tread depths provide better handling and traction. So, when it’s raining or snowing, you’ll get the extra grip when you need it. Even in ideal driving conditions, better handling can help you avoid accidents. 



DIY versus professional

Is DIY tire rotation possible? Yes, it is. However, you’ll need a level work area, a jack, jack stands, wheel chocks, a torque wrench, and a pretty solid set of tools to complete the job. Not to mention requiring plenty of elbow grease. Opting for a professional can save you time, and money, especially if you don’t currently have the proper tools. Considering tires are vital for your driving safety, leveraging an experienced technician’s expertise and experience is probably a wise choice.

Now that you know why tire rotation is important, don’t waste time making an appointment to have this essential service performed on your vehicle. If you’re in the Atlanta area click here.