It’s important to rotate your tires every 5,000 or 8,000 miles, depending on the recommendation of the car manufacturer. Regular tire rotation is essential to prevent tires from wearing unevenly and keep you from having to replace your tires prematurely.
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With tire rotation, tires are moved to different positions in order to ensure that they wear evenly. The tires on the front axle bear weight differently than those on the rear axle. Front tires tend to wear mostly on their outer edges. The front tires of front-wheel drive vehicles may carry heavier weight due to the placement of the engine and the transaxle. Steering and braking patterns may also take a heavier toll on front tires. The slightest misalignment or balance problem can also contribute to uneven wear.
With tire rotation, the tires and wheels are removed and reinstalled in different positions. Tires can be moved from right to left, front to back, or diagonally. Rotating the tires consistently will make the wear of the tires more or less even.
Another thing to consider when rotating tires is that all tires need to be in good condition with adequate tread—particularly the rear tires. It does not matter whether the car is front-wheel or rear-wheel drive; vehicles will be harder to control if the rear tires lose grip on the road. In the case of a tire blowout, a rear tire problem makes the car more unstable than a front tire issue.
If you’re due for a tire rotation (or think you might be), consult a certified technicians to make sure that your tires are in good shape and in the proper position.
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