Every automotive professional recommends you periodically rotate your tires so they wear evenly and last longer, but is it necessary? It seems as if some motorists do not think so. Tire rotation is one of the more neglected routine maintenance items.
Rotating your tires as part of your regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance has many benefits. First, it helps to maintain an even amount of treadwear on all four tires, which improves gas mileage and extends the life of your tires. It also helps maintain your vehicle’s suspension components by reducing vibrations. Since the auto technician must remove the wheels, they get the opportunity to look over the undercarriage components and catch any potential problems early. Also, many tire manufacturers require regular tire rotation to keep the mileage warranty valid.
At Mighty Auto Parts, we care about the safety and longevity of your tires. Mighty sources the highest quality auto parts from the world’s leading OE manufacturers, serving as the linchpin between manufacturers and professional technicians from coast-to-coast.
Uneven front to rear tread wear
Uneven tire wear is the most common sign that you may need your tires rotated. You can check this by measuring the tread depth in multiple spots on each tire and comparing the tread wear. Feathering is also a sign of trouble. Remember, however, that rotating your tires will not correct wear problems due to worn mechanical parts, incorrect inflation pressures or alignment problems.
While each tire can wear unevenly, tires on the front axle can also wear differently than tires on the rear axle. Regularly rotating them allows the tires to serve in both front and rear positions which help to even out the wear. Although regular rotation can help with uneven wear, different tread wear patterns can help diagnose other problems you may be having.
Tire noise and vibration
When tires wear unevenly, it causes increased road noise and vibrations, most obviously felt in the steering wheel. Most vehicles on the road are front-wheel drive or have all-wheel-drive systems that operate in front-drive most of the time. The front tires carry far more weight than the back ones. Also, they endure wear and tear from powering and steering the vehicle, and they bear the brunt of cornering forces, when weight shifts to the outside of a turn. In contrast, the rear tires on front-drive vehicles are just along for the ride.
Frequency of tire rotation depends on the vehicle and the manufacturer’s recommended interval, which should be listed in the service section of the owner’s manual. A good rule of thumb is to rotate them at least as often as you change the oil.
There are three key things that should happen during a tire rotation:
You can trust Mighty’s partner technicians to do the job right, to provide excellent service and products, and to save you money. Their professional inventory management and obsolescence protection translates into millions in profits for Mighty customers – profits that might otherwise be missed. Mighty’s organizational culture prizes extraordinary personal service, doing whatever it takes to enhance the success of its customer-partners.
To learn more great tips for maintaining your vehicle, visit us today at MightyAutoParts.com!
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