Vehicle owners know that their tires should undergo even wear and tire. But, actually ensuring that your wheels have similar wear is difficult. Tire rotation is a well-recommended method of maintaining the upkeep of your tires.
However, it’s confusing when and how often you should rotate tires. Here’s what you need to know.
Tire Rotation: What You Need To Know
Before we begin, here’s a complete breakdown of what tire rotation actually is and what it does. Tire rotation simply means periodically changing the position of your wheels with one another.
This means that you should change your front tires with our rear wheels and vice versa.
Tire rotation allows you to physically inspect your wheels after a long drive and lets you visually check them for any possible damage. But more importantly, tire rotation lets you evenly spread wear across the front and rear tires.
Through frequent tire rotation, you can maximize your tire’s tread life. You might be wondering how?
Each position gives a different amount of stress to your tires. For instance, the front–wheels usually bear a large proportion of torque and friction needed for the car to perform optimally.
Tire rotation is an essential feature of maintaining the upkeep of your wheels that can reduce tread wear.
Most vehicle owners end up forgetting how crucial it is to rotate tires. Try making a habit of setting a fixed schedule to rotate your tires and reduce uneven wear. It will help your vehicle in delivering optimal performance while also saving you time and money.
Should You Rotate Tires After Every 10,000 Miles?
There’s no standard answer as to when you should rotate your tires. Tire rotation entirely depends on your vehicle, the type of tire you use as well as the driving conditions.
Rotating tires after every 10,000 miles is within the acceptable range. That’s because tire rotation is generally recommended after a range of 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
If that’s a bit confusing, you can create a habit of rotating tires after every 6 to 8 months.
For more clarity, you can refer to the given guidelines by the tire manufacturer for your vehicle and tires. Even your local mechanic would be able to answer any questions regarding tire rotation.
Can I Rotate Tires After Every 15,000 Miles?
Yes! 15,000 miles fall far beyond the general recommended range of 5,000 to 10,000 miles. You’ll find several vehicles such as Ford, and Toyota that consider rotating tires after 10,000 miles acceptable.
However, the list of cars significantly drops when it comes to rotating tires after 15,000 miles. The only notable example is BMW but besides this, most tire manufacturers don’t recommend waiting this long to rotate your front and rear wheels.
Can Tires Be Rotated Too Often?
Vehicle owners need to strike a delicate balance between rotating tires and leaving them be.
Too much of a good thing can actually be detrimental to your wheels. If you unnecessarily rotate tires too often, you’ll actually end up causing them to wear out faster!
The best approach that you can take is to check your vehicle’s manual to see when you should rotate your tires.
How Often Should I Actually Rotate My Tires?
If you’re unsure about when to rotate your tires, don’t worry. It’s actually quite simple. Simply rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
However, it’s important to note that the actual number may vary depending on what vehicle you use as well as the type of tire you have.
Always be sure to check your owner’s manual to find accurate information.
Signs That You Need To Rotate Your Tires
You’ll find several signs that can let you know if you’re rotating your tires as advised or not.
The most common sign is uneven tread wear. Besides this, you’ll find an uncomfortable driving experience.
If you find your vehicle pulling on one side or the other, it’s probably time to rotate the wheels.
That’s not all. The lack of tire rotation also impacts your handling. If your steering starts to feel off, you should probably rotate your wheels to check it out.
Other than that, one of the biggest signs that you need to rotate your tires is an increase in fuel consumption. Your fuel economy decreases due to uneven tire wear as it can cause your vehicle to work harder.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s probably best if you take your vehicle to a professional mechanic for a checkup.
Depending on the severity of the problem, the professional will be able to advise you on the best course of action to avoid further uneven wear of all the tires.
Are There Any Instances Where You Shouldn’t Rotate Tires?
As with every rule, there are always exceptions.
Similarly, while tire rotations are generally recommended for most vehicles and tires, there are some situations where you shouldn’t rotate your tires.
If your vehicle has directional or staggered wheelsets, it’s best to avoid rotating your tires.
Directional tires are designed to rotate from the front to the rear.
On the other hand, staggered wheels are designed to rotate from side to side only. If you place a directional tire on the wrong spot, you’ll end up seriously damaging your wheels.
Staggered wheels are not different either. These wheels cannot be rotated from the front to the rear.
You can however rotate them from side to side. if you move it elsewhere, the tire will move in the opposite direction that it’s designed for. This situation will undoubtedly lead to extensive tire damage.
Conclusion
Tire rotation is a highly recommended method for maintaining your vehicle.
However, it can be confusing to know when exactly you should rotate your wheels. General guidelines state that tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles.
However, for more accurate information, it’s best if you check your vehicle’s manual.
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