How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

When Should I Get My Tires Rotated?

You should always consult your owner’s manual first, if available, as it lists the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance scheduling. Keep in mind that different vehicles have different schedules, so always approach your vehicle correctly. However, if you do not currently possess an owner’s manual or perhaps it is a used vehicle that doesn’t have a virtual manual, there are still ways to measure.

A common rule of thumb it seems is to schedule a tire rotation within a window of every 3,000-5,000 miles. However, some experts recommend having your tires rotated at the same time your oil is changed. If you have access to an owner’s manual, you’ll find this generally happens once every six months or 5,000 miles.

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Why Should I Rotate My Tires?

Tire rotations are an important aspect of vehicle maintenance and an essential safety concern. As your tires are the direct link between your vehicle and road, they need to be in great condition to continue a safe and comfortable driving experience. There are different hazards that can crop up from not keeping up with tire rotation, and the following are some highlights:

• Punctures & Blowouts: If there is a weak spot on a tire that is undergoing significant strain, it might become thinner and thinner until a piece of glass, a nail, or a stray sharp rock could poke a hole in the tire and create a hazardous situation.
• Hydroplaning: Tires that have a healthy tread will wick water away from the driving surface, allowing the tire to maintain a solid grip on the road. When the tread has been significantly worn down and no longer has a healthy grip, conditions for control, steering, and handling become compromised.
• Heat Buildup: While they are designed to withstand a certain level of heat, tires do have a limit. After enough wear, they begin to lose the cooling airflow that’s been created by the treads. Once this cooling ability disappears, the tire can reach hazardous levels of heat. These high levels can eventually lead to failures, like blowouts and tread separation.

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How Do I Rotate My Tires?

The process is simple and straightforward. A service center, like the one we have at Atlantic INFINITI, can perform this service in a short time period. There are three different rotation patterns, which we’ll cover here:

• Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles: Swap the front tires directly to the rear on the same side, then take the rear tires and move them to the opposite front corner.
• All-Wheel Drive Vehicles: All you do here is crisscross all four tires.
• Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicles: Move the rear tires to the front and then move each front tire to the opposite rear corner.