Why Tire Rotations Are Non-Negotiable, and What Happens If You Skip Them

It’s easy to put off rotating your tires. What’s not as easy is stomaching the financial consequences once they fall short of their expected lifespan by thousands of miles — or worse — if they cause a dangerous flat, an accident or damage to your drivetrain.

But, luckily, tire rotation is a simple maintenance task. “It benefits tire longevity and safety, plus can prevent future repairs,” says mechanic Alan Gelfand.

Here’s everything to know about tire rotations, including how often to get them done, whether to DIY the task and what pattern of rotation is right for your vehicle.

What Is a Tire Rotation?

A tire rotation involves moving each tire/wheel on your vehicle from one location to another, like from the front to the back or from side to side. This helps distribute the tread wear evenly, so your tires will last longer and your car will handle better.

“This is extra relevant for front-wheel-drive cars, as the front tires are put under much more stress than the rears, having to drive and turn all at the same time,” says automotive specialist Matt Clamp.

It’s also vital to protect the drivetrain on all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles. “Because of the immense stress that uneven tire wear can cause to these systems, failing to rotate the tires can lead to very costly repairs,” says Gelfand.

Why Are Tire Rotations Important?

Tire rotations are necessary because uneven tire wear can reduce your car’s traction. Not rotating tires also decreases their lifespan.

How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

A tire rotation is standard every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. “This roughly equates to every six months,” says Clamp. “A good rule of thumb is to get your tires rotated every time you have an oil change.” Also, check your owners manual for your vehicle’s specific needs.

Tire Rotation Patterns

How you rotate your tires depends on your vehicle’s drivetrain, plus other manufacturer recommendations, but here are the general rules.

Front-Wheel-Drive

Front-wheel-drive vehicles use a “forward cross pattern,” where the front tires are moved directly to the rear (staying on the same side). The rears are then moved to the front, but in a diagonal pattern, with the left moved to the right side and vice versa.

“This is because the front tires are subjected to the most wear,” says mechanic Dominic Adriano. “Most of the load of steering, braking and power is placed on them.”

Rear-wheel-drive

Rear-wheel-drive vehicles use a “rearward cross pattern,” where the front tires are rotated diagonally to the rear (moved to the opposite side), and the rear tires are brought directly forward (kept on the same side). “This is because rear-wheel-drive has more load on the rear-tires, causing them to wear faster,” says Adriano.

All-Wheel-Drive and Four-Wheel-Drive

These vehicles use a “cross-pattern” or “X rotation,” where the front tires are rotated diagonally rearward, and the rear tires are rotated diagonally to the front.

Directional Tires

If you have tires designed to travel in one direction, such as some wet-weather treads, they must be kept on the same side when rotated front to rear.

Staggered Tires

Some cars have differently sized front and rear tires. These should only be rotated from side to side, never front to back.

How Much Does it Cost to Have Tires Rotated?

Typically, tire rotation costs between $20 and $50, though many tire shops will do it for free if you’ve bought your tires from them. Some shops also offer free rotations when you’re having other services done.

Can You Rotate Tires Yourself?

Yes, many people rotate their own tires. (Here’s the proper way to do it.) However, if you don’t feel completely comfortable doing the task yourself, it probably isn’t worth the safety risk.

Signs Your Tires Are Overdue for Rotation

• Uneven tire tread wear;
• Vibrations coming through the steering wheel or seat while driving at high speeds;
• Increased road noise; and
• The car pulls to one side while driving.

“If your car is experiencing any of the above, it’s worth checking out,” says Clamp. “While it may be a sign that your tires need rotating, it could also be a sign of something bigger.”

FAQ

Is tire rotation the same as tire balancing?

No. Rotation involves moving tires to different locations on the car to maintain even tread wear. Tire balancing involves adding weights to the rims to prevent vibrations. “While separate tasks, both are often carried out together to improve drivability,” says Clamp.

Should I rotate tires before or after buying new ones?

If you buy four new tires, there’s no need to rotate them immediately. But if you’ve only replaced two tires, they should be rotated to the positions under the most load, says Adriano. “For a front-wheel drive, this would be the front tires,” he says. Note, on AWD vehicles, it’s important to always replace all four tires, to prevent drivetrain damage.

Does tire rotation improve gas mileage?

It can because evenly worn tires drive more smoothly, and thus create less drag. Still, you probably won’t notice a dramatic difference. A more significant gas mileage booster is keeping your tires properly inflated.

About the Experts

• Alan Gelfand has been the owner of German Car Depot for more than 30 years. His business is an independent automotive service center in Hollywood, Florida, specializing in the service and repair of German vehicles.
• Dominic Adriano is a mechanic and the director of AutoTech Workshop Solutions. He specializes in diagnostics, and works closely with workshops worldwide, which use and maintain professional-grade tools, including tire fitters and wheel balancers.
• Matt Clamp is an automotive specialist at Scrap Car Comparison, an end-of-life vehicle valuation and inspection service.

The post Why Tire Rotations Are Non-Negotiable, and What Happens If You Skip Them appeared first on Family Handyman.

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