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| © l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock Tire rotation is one of those car repairs that can be pretty routine work but it's important work to keep your tires lasting as long as other components of your vehicle. Here's how often you need to rotate your tires and some general tire info. |
Unless a mechanic tells you to rotate your tires, have you really thought
about getting it done? Probably not. Rotating your tires doesn’t seem
like a crucial car fix compared to changing your oil, but it should be
something you regularly consider. Finally, we'll answer how often should
you rotate your tires.
It’s been reported
that tire rotations should be happening every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Your car’s manual should let you know the exact amount of miles
recommended for your car’s tire rotation. Now maybe this seems like too
often (or not enough) in your opinion. But before you completely ride it
off, there are a few things to consider.
Tire rotations need to happen to make sure your tires are wearing
evenly. Certain tires are exposed to particular angles of a road, which
can cause uneven wear and tread. If they aren’t rotated, your car could
drive unevenly altogether. This is especially important for balanced
handling. If your car’s tires have different levels of tread (typically
the back will have more than the front), than you are going to
experience difficulty in an emergency situation (like wet or frozen
roads).
Tires can also experience tire cupping, which happens when
there’s uneven wear and tear on the tire’s surface. It’s pretty easy to
spot; if your tire has uneven patterning and smoother surfaces, that’s
an easy sign of tire cupping. Tire cupping can cause noises and rumbling
sounds that aren’t pleasant to listen to while driving. Consistent tire
rotation, however, can avoid this annoyance. Here’s how to properly check your tire’s tread.
Although
the wear of a tire depends on location and the driver’s use of the car,
it’s still important to mark a regular tire rotation into your car’s
maintenance. Tire rotation is pretty simple. First, the front end and
back end tires must be swapped. Next, the left and right sides should be
swapped, in order to keep all sides even. So this would mean that the
back left tire would be in the front right side.
Not only does
rotating your tires keep you safe and keep your tires even, but it also
could mean saving some money. Checking your tires regularly and giving
them the rotation needed will extend the longevity of your tires, saving
you money in the long run.
So maybe it’s time to change those tires! And while you’re at it, here are some car maintenance tips to make your tires last even longer.
