How to Tell if Tires Need to be Rotated
How to Tell if Tires Need to be Rotated
Posted on April 15, 2020
A tire rotation is one of the simplest auto maintenance tasks to perform, but it is one that is easily forgotten. A tire rotation simply involves moving tires around on a vehicle after a few thousand kilometres--this needs to be performed regularly so that tires last longer.
Why Do Tires Need to be Rotated?
Drivers need to have their tires rotated every so often to decrease the chance of uneven wear. Thousands of tire-related car accidents happen every year, including many caused by tire failure due to uneven wear. Uneven wear occurs because the tread of every tire wears down at a different rate as weight is distributed differently from the left side to the right side of the car and the front to the back of the car. In addition, the pressure from turns, braking, and more increases wear.
Tires also need frequent rotation to improve a vehicle's fuel economy. More tread means less friction which means lower rolling resistance, which is one of the keys to increased fuel economy.
How Often Do Tires Need to Be Rotated?
Tires should be rotated every 5,000-10,000 kilometres or approximately every six months, though car manufacturers will differ on their recommendations for their vehicles and offer different time- or kilometre-related guidelines. An easy way to remember a tire rotation is to schedule the service for the same time the vehicle's oil is changed. Both services are quick and can be combined for a short visit to the mechanic or service centre.
What are Some Signs that Tires Need to Be Rotated?
As discussed, uneven wear is a problem for tires that are not rotated. Uneven wear means that the front tires of a vehicle are wearing faster than the rear ones. If this is noticeable, tires need to be rotated as soon as possible. Often this means simply switching the front and rear tires on the same side. However, sometimes a more complicated pattern is necessary, such as switching the left front tire with the right rear tire, etc.
Vehicle vibration is also an indicator that tires need to be rotated. As the vehicle goes faster than 70kph, drivers might notice a vibration. This is an indicator that your tires need to be rotated or perhaps balanced.
One nice feature of newer vehicles is a tire pressure warning system. This system easily alerts drivers to the fact that a tire has lost air pressure. If one vehicle tire is consistently losing air faster than the other tires, it could mean that there is too much pressure on it and needs to be rotated.
Can Tire Rotation Be Done at Home?
Drivers that are mechanically included can rotate their own tires at home, though it will require a car jack, jack stands, and a fair amount of muscle. However, tire rotation is not usually expensive (less than $100) and can be easily combined with other maintenance items, such as oil changes. For this reason, many vehicle owners choose to have their tires rotated by professionals. Whether drivers perform this service themselves or visit the mechanic to have it done, it is important for vehicle safety to have tires rotated regularly.