Why rotate your tires?
To get the most life out of your tires, our experts at Carrier Auto Brantford recommend rotating your tires on a regular basis. Front and rear axle tires wear differently; for example, the front axle carry more than 60% of your car’s weight. As a result, front tires wear down faster than the rear axle ones. Tire rotations equalize these natural tread wear patterns by changing the positions of your tires – sometimes side to side, or in a cross pattern, depending on the vehicle manufacturer guidelines. It isn’t quite as simple as just moving tires from the front to the back, especially for full size vehicles or those using a spare tire in the rotation.
Quick Facts about Tire Rotations
- Each tire will have a certain rotation pattern based on the type of vehicle it is used on
- Whether a vehicle is all wheel drive, front wheel drive and rear wheel drive also has an impact on how tires wear, and this is taken into account during the tire rotation
- Front wheel drive vehicles will need to have their tires rotated more frequently due to wearing caused by stress from braking and the weight of the engine and axle
- Tires are always rotated during the seasonal changeover from winter tires to all season tires or summer tires
- During a tire rotation, our service technician will also adjust the air pressure according to your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
By rotating your axle tires regularly and following the correct cross pattern, you’ll ensure yourself a smoother and safer ride. You can also save money in the long run by extending the life of your tires and preventing uneven tread wear.
How often should you rotate your tires?
Check your car’s owner’s manual for the recommended tire rotation schedule. Most manufacturers recommend that you rotate your tires every 10,000km. For vehicles that are used for heavy-duty or off road driving and have aggressive tread tires, it can be a good idea to rotate these tires at 5,000km to avoid uneven wear.
Visit our service center at Carrier Auto Brantford for professional tire and wheel maintenance today.