Tire Rotations – A Necessity?
People make it a point get their oil changed regularly and maintain proper fluid levels, but oddly enough one of the most used parts of the car is also the most neglected. Tires are one of the least thought about aspects of car maintenance. Rotating your tires every 5,000 miles should be an important part of everyone’s maintenance scheduled. But why is it so important?
Tires are expensive! Make them last! This pictures show the difference between rear wheel and front wheel drive vehicles. It’s important to rotate your tires from front to back and from side to side. You can also check your owner’s manual or call the Arbogast Service Department for the best patter rotation for your specific vehicle.
On front wheel drive vehicles the rear tires last much longer. The front tires are responsible for the steering, braking and carry the bulk of the car’s weight. Because of this, they experience more wear and tear. Rotating the tires helps to evenly distribute the effects of driving on the tires. Failure to have the tires rotated causes the front tires to wear out quickly and means spending money on tires much sooner than necessary.
Front tires lean during a turn and the outside edges can feather or scallop. When the tire’s treads begin to scallop the structure becomes compromised. A compromised tire structure can cause flat tires and other forms of tire failure. While there are other factors to consider when the tires begin to scallop, the majority of cases are the result of not rotating the tires.
Being able to handle the car is important to the safety of the passengers and others on the road. When the tires are not rotated regularly, they become out of balance. A shaking steering wheel is one indicator that the tires are not balanced. Properly balanced tires help to maintain traction and improve performance in imperfect weather conditions like rain and snow.
Not having the tires on a car rotated regularly can be costly. Make tire rotation a part of the car’s regularly scheduled maintenance. While the tires are being rotated, consider having them balanced also. Rotating tires cost far less than having them replaced.
3 comment(s) so far on Tire Rotations – A Necessity?
I never knew that a shaky steering wheel is a sign that the tires are not balanced. I also appreciate that you explained that properly balanced tires are vital for extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain and snow since they maintain the traction. This information really helped me understand the importance of rotating the tires. My vehicle has been with me for a year now, and I have never thought about getting those wheels interchanged because I never noticed anything wrong with them. But I guess I have to seek professional help to gauge whether it’s time to rotate them or not. Thanks!
I agree that tire needs maintenance at a regular interval like other components of the vehicle. Some people underestimate the importance of regular maintenance of the tire which affects the condition of the tire in a very negative way. The tire needs rotation and alignment at a regular interval for a prolonged lifespan. Apart from this, the properly inflated tire has a comparatively longer lifespan and it could generate better grip on the road surface as compared to under or over inflated tires.
Undoubtedly, tire rotation is one of key maintenance needed by the tire to last for longer time period. Tire needs daily maintenance like other types of components used in the vehicle for various purpose. Tire rotation assure uniform wearing of the tire. So, it is really essential to inspect the tread depth of the tire at a regular interval and if necessary rotate the tire by experienced professionals.