How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

When it comes to rotating your tires and knowing when the right time is, we know it can be a little confusing. Many Greenacres and West Palm Beach drivers wonder, “How often should you rotate tires”? Or “how many miles to rotate tires’? Luckily, we have all the information you need to know to take care of your vehicle properly.

Most experts recommend a tire rotation schedule of 5,000 – 7,500 miles, but this should generally only be viewed as a ground rule. The interval for when to rotate tires for your specific vehicle may vary based on the tire type, drivetrain, and even your driving habits. Learn more below!

When to Rotate Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles

As you may have surmised, ‘front-wheel drive’ and ‘rear-wheel drive’ refer to where engine power is distributed. On a vehicle with FWD, power is distributed to the front tires. On a car with RWD, the power is directed to the rear tires. The tires receiving the power will naturally wear out faster than the others, so we rotate tires in the first place – to ensure an even rate of wear across all four. If you drive a vehicle with FWD or RWD in West Palm Beach, check out these helpful tips:

• The basic 5,000 – 7,500-mile interval applies to both RWD and FWD tire rotation schedules. However, you will want to confirm the interval in your owner’s manual.
• When rotating the tires on a vehicle with FWD, you must follow the correct rotation pattern: the rear right tire moves to the front left, and the rear left tire moves to the front right. The front tires can remain on the same side when moved to the back.
• For a car with RWD, simply invert the aforementioned pattern! You’ll move the front right tire to the rear left and the front left to the rear right. Then, the rear tires will stay on the same side when moved to the front.
• Your driving habits will also affect how many miles you need to rotate tires. For example, off-road or consistent high-mileage driving will wear your tires out faster, so you’ll want to rotate them more frequently.

How Many Miles to Rotate Tires On AWD Vehicles

AWD vehicles distribute power to all four tires based on the changing road conditions, meaning each tire might wear out at a slightly different rate. Which is why we recommend rotating tires on AWD vehicles every 3,000 – 5,000 miles, but as always, you’ll want to double-check your owner’s manual.

Why is Tire Rotation Important?

Like oil changes, tire rotation is often considered an inconvenient but vitally necessary maintenance item. This allows you to maintain the performance of your vehicle routine tire as well as the benefits of:

• Optimal traction when the roads are slick or uneven
• Less road noise
• Relief of unnecessary strain on the drivetrain

Additionally, when your TPMS warns you of low tire pressure, don’t wait too long to refill the afflicted tire(s).

Schedule a Tire Rotation Today!

Need a tire rotation? Schedule an appointment today, or visit our Royal Palm Beach service center for maintenance help. Not sure when your vehicle needs a rotation? Contact us, and we’ll be happy to help!