Tire Rotation: 5 Reasons Why It Matters

You probably have heard people say you should get your tires rotated periodically. What does this mean and does it actually matter?

The experts at our Wilmington, NC tire shop are here to tell you the unbiased truth on this controversial subject!

What Is Tire Rotation?

Tire rotation refers to routinely changing the position of each tire on your vehicle. For example, swapping your front tires with your back tires, or your left tires with your right tires. Do you actually need to routinely rotate your tires? The short answer is yes. Keep reading to find out why.

Tire rotation is typically recommended every 5,000 miles, or when you get your oil changed. Some auto repair shops rotate your tires when you get your oil changed. However, some don’t. It’s important to check if this service comes with your oil change, and ask for it if not.

At Derham’s Alignment & Brake Center, we provide free tire rotations with every oil change. 

5 Reasons Why Tire Rotation Matters

1. Tire rotation can save you money by keeping your tires under warranty. Many tire manufacturer warranties require routine tire rotation. Meaning, if something happens to your tires while under warranty but they’re not being regularly rotated, your warranty could be voided. Trying to save the cost of a tire rotation in the short term might prevent you from receiving the full advantages of a warranty on your new, expensive tires. Make sure you check if your tires are under warranty, and what the warranty conditions are before you find yourself dropping a pretty penny on tire repair or more new tires. 
2. Tire rotation keeps the tread wear even on all of your tires. Different places on your vehicle will experience different levels of stress and wear. Tires on the front of a vehicle tend to wear quicker, because they’re under more stress from steering. Think about when you see a vehicle make a turn. The front tires are typically changing direction and doing most of the work. So, they’ll get worn down differently and more quickly than the back tires. By rotating the front and back tires, you’re making sure the wear is distributed evenly across all of your tires, extending their lifespan. 
3. Tire rotation ensures that handling and traction is consistent for better performance. If tires are worn down unevenly they won’t handle as well. You’ll notice this through vibrations or your vehicle might feel like it’s pulling to one side. By rotating your tires to keep the tread even, your car will turn, brake, and overall perform better, keeping you safer!
4. Tire rotation can actually save you gas money. Tires that are worn unevenly can have more rolling resistance. The more resistance, the more gas you’re going to have to use to accelerate and maintain speed. In reality, this isn’t going to cost you a crazy amount of money in gas, but it’s still a big reason why tire rotation is important. 
5. FWD and AWD importance. As the name implies, front-wheel drive means your front tires are doing more work than your rear tires when you’re on the road. They drive (pun intended) your accelerating, braking, and turning. So, those tires are going to wear out much quicker than your back tires if they aren’t getting rotated regularly. With all-wheel drive, power is being sent to all tires, rather than just the front. Regardless, AWD systems distribute stress unevenly across all tires due to weight, steering, and traction. If not rotated, this uneven wear can strain the drivetrain, which can cause more wear on expensive drive components. Replacing those expensive drivetrain parts will cost much more than a tire rotation!

So, there you have it folks! Missing a tire rotation from time to time doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to need to buy new tires or new drivetrain components. However, never rotating your tires almost ensures you’ll have performance issues and need to replace a tire or part over time. It’s best to go ahead and start working a tire rotation into all of your oil change appointments. Your car will perform better and last longer over all, keeping you safe and saving you money!

Give us a call today to schedule your oil change with complimentary tire rotation!