How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?
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We all know that maintenance like oil changes, transmission fluid checks, and tire rotations are important parts of any maintenance schedule, but just how often should you rotate your tires to maintain the best performance possible? Most experts recommend a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles as a general guideline, though your owner’s manual will have the best advice for your particular make and model. Check out our guide below to find out when to rotate tires for the best results:

Why Should I Rotate Tires?

Rotating your tires helps to even out the wear and tear among all four tires, which can extend the lifespan of your set greatly. But you might be surprised to hear that there are other benefits as well:

  • Less stress and strain on your drivetrain mechanics
  • Enhanced traction on slick South Jersey winter roads
  • Quieter cabin and reduced road noise

Front-Wheel and Rear-Wheel Vehicles

Front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles place uneven wear on different tires, which makes tire rotation particularly important. For example, a FWD car sends power to the front wheels, which wears down the tread much faster than the rear wheels. The opposite is true for a RWD vehicle. Wondering how many miles to rotate tires for FWD and RWD cars? Keep these pointers in mind:

  • The 5,000- to 7,500-mile guideline is the most common recommendation for both FWD and RWD vehicles.
  • If you decide to rotate your tires yourself on your FWD car, move your rear tires to the front and flip sides for the most even wear pattern. Flip this advice for your RWD car.
  • Do you drive in rougher road conditions? Consider booking your tire rotation a little earlier and speak with our technicians about the best maintenance timeline for your needs.

All-Wheel Drive Vehicles

Your all-wheel drive vehicle operates a little differently than either FWD or RWD models. All-wheel drive is more rugged on the Reading roads, but also more complex to service. Experts recommend rotating your AWD tires a little sooner — every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.You can also check the tread on all four tires to check the wear level. If the variance is over 2/32nd of an inch, it’s time to head to the shop.

Learn More About Tire Maintenance from Rolls Auto Sales!

Now that you know when to rotate tires, why not expand your car knowledge even more with Rolls Auto Sales? Find out how to clean leather car seats, how to replace a key fob battery, or how to jump start a car during those rough Allentown winters! And if you’re in the Philadelphia area, feel free to contact us for more information at any time.