Tire Rotation: Understanding the Importance and Process of Rotating Your Tires

What Is Tire Rotation?

Tire rotation simply means changing the position of your tires at regular intervals. During rotation, each tire will be moved to a different location, usually from front to back and vice-versa. Each auto manufacturer specifies when to rotate a tire in their owner’s manual. But generally, it’s recommended to rotate your tires every 5000 – 8000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.

Why Rotate Your Tires?

Tire rotation is one of the best things you can do for your vehicle. Below are some of the reasons to rotate your car’s tires periodically.

Even tire wear 

The front tires carry much of the vehicle’s weight and are more impacted during hard turns, so they wear out sooner than the rear tires. Rotating your tires will ensure even wear across all four tires, extending their lifespan.

Improved traction and handling 

All tires will have almost the same tread depth when they wear out evenly. This can ensure uniform traction and handling, making cornering easier and improving your safety on Downey roads.

Better fuel efficiency

When the tires are unevenly worn out, your vehicle will need to work extra hard to maintain traction, reducing fuel economy.

Cost savings

Tire rotation can also save you thousands of dollars. Rotating your tires will reduce stress and prevent a tire blowout, so you won’t have to spend on expensive replacements.

Which Tire Rotation Pattern Should I Use?

There are several ways to rotate the tires on your vehicle. The right one to choose will depend on your drivetrain, the type of tires, and whether your tires are the same size. Below are some common tire rotation patterns you can consider if you use non-directional tires (tires that can rotate in either direction) of uniform size:

Rearward cross

This rotation pattern is recommended for those who own a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. The rear tires move straight to the front axle, while the front tires move to the opposite sides of the rear axle.

Forward cross

The forward cross pattern is suitable for front-wheel-drive vehicles. In this case, the front tires move to the back positions while the rear tires move to the opposite front positions.