Even with four identical tires on your car, various factors will cause each of them to wear differently. Tire rotation helps equalize wear by allowing each tire to serve in as many wheel positions as possible. Evenly worn treads keep tires performing the same on all four corners and:
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Increase dry road performance with more balanced handling and traction.
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Make for quicker tire response times when braking.
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Allow you to replace tires in sets rather than individually or in pairs. (That means all your tires will include the latest technology and performance advancements that manufacturers are continually bringing to market: You won’t be forced to match yesterday’s product or performance.)
A general rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles—even if there are no visible signs of wear. If you own a front-wheel drive vehicle or do mostly city driving, more frequent rotation is advisable.
What’s the correct rotation pattern of your tires? For rear and four-wheel-drive vehicles, a rearward cross pattern—or, alternatively, an X-pattern—is used. Front wheel drive vehicles use a forward cross or X-pattern. It’s always best to consult your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.
After a rotation, be sure your mechanic has checked:
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Individual tire pressure. The tire’s new location may affect how much pressure it now requires.
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Vehicle alignment. This is important if irregular tire wear was evident.
Regular tire rotations are an important step in getting the maximum mileage out of your tire investment—so keep those wheels moving!
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