Tire rotation is essential to the life of your tires. However, having tires rotated at regularly scheduled intervals has many other benefits car owners may fail to consider. While it is possible for car owners to perform this task themselves, experts recommend having tires rotated by an experienced mechanic for maximum benefits.
Regular tire rotation will extend the lifespan of tires for a number of reasons. A variety of factors contribute to tire wear-and-tear such as temperature, driving habits and terrain. Periodically rotating tires keeps wear even and balanced. Cars equipped with front-wheel drive, typically have increased wear on the front tires. Switching these tires regularly with back tires can extend the life of tires on these vehicles by up to 20 percent.
Vehicles that undergo regular tire rotation use less gas because the amount of work required by the tires is decreased substantially. Even wear on tires helps the engine run more efficiently and allowing it to use less gas. Gas mileage also goes up when there is less tire pulling and road friction. Better gas mileage adds up to a significant savings at the end of the month for most car owners. While it costs money to have the tires rotated, it is offset by the savings in vehicle repairs and the cost of new tires.
Rotating tires will increase the overall performance of the vehicle. Once tires become excessively worn, there is an increased risk of tire failure. This could result in a blow-out and the sudden loss of control of the vehicle. Switching tire placement will also ward off front-end misalignment which affects how the vehicle handles and makes the ride uncomfortable.
So just how often should car owners rotate their tires for maximum efficiency and safety? While all vehicles are different, most manufacturers state tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Many tire manufacturers recommend scheduling a tire rotation every 6,000 miles to avoid straying from the rotation schedule. Waiting too long to rotate car tires may result in losing all of the benefits it provides because the tires have undergone significant wear-and-tear. Car owners should inspect their tires between rotations for signs of wear and need for tire repair. Examine tires for cracks, worn tread and tread tears. Check for any objects that may have punctured the tires such as nails or screws. Keeping car tires properly inflated is another important part of tire efficiency and safety. Experts recommend keeping tire pressure at 36 pounds per square inch for best results.
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