How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

How often should you rotate your tires to keep them in great condition? Many car owners in Columbia want to know. Most experts recommend a tire rotation schedule of 5,000–7,500 miles, but this should generally only be viewed as a ground rule. The interval for when to rotate tires for your specific vehicle may vary based on the tire type, drivetrain, and even your driving habits. Keep reading with Joe Machens Capital City Ford to learn more about how many miles to wait between tire rotations!

When to Rotate Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles

As you may have surmised, “front-wheel drive” (FWD) and “rear-wheel drive” (AWD) refer to where engine power is distributed. On a vehicle with FWD, power is distributed to the front tires. On an RWD car, the power is directed to the rear tires. The tires receiving the power will naturally wear out faster than the others, which is why we rotate tires in the first place – to ensure an even rate of wear across all four. If you drive a vehicle with FWD or RWD in Fulton, check out these helpful tips:

• The basic 5,000–7,500-mile interval applies to both RWD and FWD tire rotation schedules. However, you should confirm the interval in your owner’s manual.
• When rotating the tires on a vehicle with FWD, you must follow the correct rotation pattern: the rear right tire moves to the front left, and the rear left tire moves to the front right. The front tires can remain on the same side when moved to the back. You may hear this pattern referred to as the “forward cross.”
• For a car with RWD, simply invert the aforementioned pattern! You’ll move the front right tire to the rear left, and the front left tire to the rear right. Then, the rear tires will stay on the same side when moved to the front. This is also referred to as a “rearward cross.”
• Your driving habits will also influence when you need to rotate tires. For example, off-road driving or consistent high-mileage driving will wear your tires out faster, so you’ll want to rotate them more frequently.

Our friendly service advisors will be glad to help you create a tire rotation schedule based on your driving habits! Contact us when you’re ready to start a conversation.

How Many Miles to Wait Between Tire Rotations: AWD Vehicles

How often should you rotate your tires if your vehicle uses all-wheel drive? AWD vehicles distribute power to all four tires based on the changing road conditions, meaning each tire might wear out at a slightly different rate. For this reason, many experts recommend rotating tires on AWD vehicles every 3,000–5,000 miles, but again, you’ll want to double-check your owner’s manual.

AWD and 4×4 cars undergo an “x-pattern” tire rotation, meaning all tires are moved diagonally and switch axles. So the rear right and rear left tires take the place of the front left and front right tires respectively, and vice versa.

Why is Tire Rotation Important?

Like oil changes, tire rotation is often regarded as an inconvenient but vitally necessary maintenance item. In addition to ensuring your tires last as long as intended on Lake of the Ozarks roads, routine tire rotations provide the following benefits:

• Optimal traction when the roads are slick or uneven
• Less road noise
• Relief of unnecessary strain on the drivetrain

In addition to tire rotations, maintaining the right tire pressure is crucial to preventing rapid or uneven tire wear. When your TPMS warns you of low tire pressure, don’t wait too long to refill the afflicted tire(s).

Schedule a Tire Rotation Today!

So, how many miles should you wait between tire rotations? As you can see it depends, but if you can’t recall the last time your tires were rotated you should get it done soon. Scheduling service at Joe Machens Capital City Ford is easy with our online appointment finder. What’s more, we offer ongoingservice specials to help keep essential maintenance budget-friendly!