How often should you get your tires rotated?

When was the last time you rotated your tires? You have come to the right place if you’re not even sure about the common auto maintenance process. Learn what it means to get your tires rotated and why it’s important with our guide.

What Is a Tire Rotation?

With a tire rotation, your service technician changes the position of your tires. This service is essential because you want to ensure the rubber tread wears evenly. Front-wheel drive adds wear to that set of tires during accelerating, turning, and braking maneuvers, eroding the material more quickly than the back set and vice versa with rear-wheel-drive models. Other reasons your tires may wear unevenly include the following:

• Improper alignment.
• Overinflation.
• Underinflation.
• Damaged suspension.

Swapping your vehicle’s front tires with those on the back is the most common tire rotation method. Your mechanic may switch your tires from left to right, depending on your model. Your owner’s manual will specify the best tire rotation pattern for your specific automobile. This guide includes its recommended maintenance schedule every six months or between 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Why are Tire Rotations Important??

Tire rotations should be a part of your car’s regular maintenance program, just like oil changes. This service offers drivers genuine benefits you’ll notice as soon as you take the wheel. Here are a few of the top reasons to be mindful of your tire rotation schedule:

You Can Save Money

Rotation spreads wear evenly among all four tires, so swapping them will make your tread last longer, thus saving you money. A new set of rubber will set you back about $600 on average, although replacement costs vary widely by size and type of tire. For example, most sedans or compact crossovers use smaller, less expensive tires than a full-size pickup truck.

You could also see savings at the pump. Uneven tread wear increases the rolling resistance on your tires, reducing your car’s fuel efficiency.

Your Car Will Grip Better

Driving wears down tire treads, and how they wear impacts your vehicle’s performance. A uniform tread is also better equipped to grip New York’s slippery winter roads and uneven terrain. An even tread is also crucial for a smooth transition from a complete stop and to assist your brakes in bringing the vehicle to a safe stop as quickly as possible.

You Get Improved Handling

Your tire’s tread directly affects your car’s handling. Uneven wear can hinder your ability to steer your vehicle, either when taking tight cornering maneuvers or in the presence of a road hazard, like a fallen limb or animal in the way. An uneven tread can cause you to lose control of your automobile in an emergency, potentially causing an accident.

You’ll Notice Less Vibration

Because tires inevitably wear at different rates, your vehicle’s ride quality will eventually suffer if you don’t rotate your tires. Vibrations come from your uneven tread as it impacts the pavement, significantly reducing the smoothness and comfort of your ride.

If you delay servicing your automobile, you may feel your steering wheel rattle or your pedals start to jitter, indicating an increasing instability in your suspension system. Even your car’s alignment will be eventually affected, and you may notice your vehicle pulling in one direction. Getting your tires rotated improves the lifespan of related components like the suspension system, breaks, wheel bearings, and axles.

It Prevents Tread Cupping

Tread cupping is when your tires show an erratic wear pattern where a little scoop of the tread wears around the tire every three to four inches. Because of the worn spot’s shape, some tire technicians call it “scalloped tires.”

Tread “cups” can cause your vehicle several issues, depending on the severity, from reduced traction to noise and vibration. If left unattended, the problem could even cause your vehicle to bounce, making it unsafe to drive. Of course, regularly scheduled tire rotations will prevent this issue.

You Have a Lower Chance of a Blowout

As you drive, your tires get thinner and thinner. The more its tread wears away, the higher the chance you’ll experience a blowout, especially when traveling at high speeds due to the build-up of heat in the rubber. Potholes, curbs, and other objects increase the risk of damage to your vehicle. If you’re concerned about blowouts, rotating tires can help them last longer, and even if you opted for a road hazard replacement warranty, many providers require scheduled tire rotations to validate their coverage.

Your Tires Get a Routine Inspection

Having your tires rotated gives a service technician a chance to thoroughly inspect your tires. They’ll measure your tread depth and check for damage, cracks, cuts, and bulges, plus punctures from items like nails, glass, and rocks that could cause a slow leak. If your mechanic finds anything suspicious, he’ll have the resources to repair or replace the tire promptly.

What to Do If Your Tires Need Rotating

If it’s been a while since you had your tires rotated, make an appointment as soon as possible. Having the service done to your vehicle is easy, and there are many options near Cortlandt where you can get it done.

The process usually takes 30 to 45 minutes at a qualified dealership, so you could schedule it during your lunch hour. Every tire store has its own shop rates. However, the average cost of a tire rotation in New York is between $24 to $50, but it can be as much as $120.

No matter where you schedule your tire rotation service, make sure it’s with a trusted service center, like the one you’ll find at Bill Volz Westchester on 2293 Crompond Road. A lot is riding on your tires, and the last thing you need is a preventable problem that causes a costly repair.

If you don’t remember the last time you rotated your tires, it’s time to get it done. Let us know if you have any questions about vehicle maintenance, or better yet, come to our dealership and get to know our friendly and knowledgeable service staff.

Tags: Tire Rotations
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