Tire Rotation Basics: Patterns, Frequency & Cost

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Tire Rotation Basics Patterns, Frequency  Cost
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Learn about the importance of tire rotation and
how to make it a part of your regular car
maintenance schedule. If you care about safety
and saving money, regular tire maintenance and
rotation should be high on your to-do list.
Proper tire rotation and inflation can extend the
life of your tires, lead to better fuel economy
and improve the safety and handling of your
car. Unfortunately, tire rotation is an
often-overlooked part of a regular car
maintenance schedule which is odd, considering
that your tires are the only parts of the car
that actually touch the road (hopefully). While
it may not be as easy to remember as getting your
oil changed or checking your fluid levels, being
vigilant about rotating your tires can have
significant benefits down the road (pun
intended). Luckily, rotating your tires is one of
the easiest maintenance tasks to perform.
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Why Rotate Your Tires As you drive, your tires
tend to wear out unevenly. Since your front tires
lean when you take a corner, the outside edges
usually wear out quicker than the edges of your
back tires. Over time this can lead to
significant differences in the amount of wear
they receive. By rotating your tires on a
regular basis, you help to evenly distribute the
wear and tear between all four tires rather than
just the front two. This can extend the life of
your tires significantly, which means you wont
have to buy new tires as often. Safety There are
close to 11,000 tire-related vehicle crashes in
the U.S. each year. According to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, many of those
accidents could have been prevented with proper
tire maintenance (which includes regular tire
rotations). When tires are underinflated or the
tread has worn down, the likelihood of a crash
increases significantly. When getting your tires
rotated, your technician will likely take a look
at your tread depth and inflation pressure as
well as inspect your tires for potential problems.
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Fuel Efficiency Uneven tire wear can lead to
lower performance, which can reduce fuel
efficiency by up to 3 percent. That extra 3
percent can add up quickly when it comes to
filling up at the pump. By improving your fuel
economy, proper tire rotation and inflation can
also lower the amount of greenhouse gases that
are emitted. Handling If your tires are unevenly
worn out, sudden turns and stops can become more
unpredictable. When tires are rotated and
balanced properly, it can mean more balanced
handling and traction, which is especially
important when driving in slick, cold-weather
conditions. How Often to Rotate Tires A good
rule of thumb would be to rotate tires every
5,000 to 8,000 miles. But since every vehicle is
different, make sure to check your owners manual
for specific recommendations on how often you
should be rotating your tires. In some cases,
such as when your front and rear tires are
different sizes, you may not be able to rotate
your tires at all.
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Tire Rotation Patterns If youre going to rotate
your tires yourself, or just want to understand
how tires get rotated to minimize wear, youll
want to identify the proper tire rotation pattern
for your vehicle. The pattern you choose will
depend on a number of factors, including your
cars drivetrain type, wheel sizes and even the
amount of tires on your vehicle. Here are some
of the most common tire rotation patterns. FWD,
AWD, RWD and 4X4 Tire Rotation Patterns If your
car has non-directional tires that are all the
same size, you should use one of the following
rotation patterns.
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Front-to-Rear and Side-to-Side Patterns For cars
that have directional tires or non-directional
tires of different sizes, the following patterns
are advised.
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5 Tire Rotation Pattern If your car has a spare
wheel that matches the other four wheels on your
car (and isnt just for temporary use), then you
can consider adding your spare tire into the
rotation. The following patterns are designed for
this type of rotation.
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• Where to Get Your Tires Rotated
• If you arent inclined or equipped to rotate your
  tires yourself, you can always have it done by a
  trained tire technician. Most auto repair,
  service and maintenance facilities offer tire
  rotation, either as a standalone service or
  bundled with another regular maintenance item
  such as an oil change or tire balancing.
• If you take your vehicle to a dealership for
  regular maintenance, tire rotation and alignment
  are likely to be part of your normal service,
  although you should always make sure to verify if
  its included.
• Some tire shops will offer free tire rotation for
  customers who bought their tires there, so if
  youre on your second set of tires you might want
  to check with where you bought them to see if
  they offer that service.
• How Much Does Tire Rotation Cost
• As mentioned above, the cost of rotating your
  tires can vary widely depending on where youre
  having the service done and whether or not its
  being bundled with another service. In general,
  you shouldnt expect to pay more than 50 for
  tire rotation, although you can probably find a
  lower price if you shop around.

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Conclusion Like a good pair of shoes, a well
cared-for set of tires can give you the stability
and comfort you need to keep going. From saving
money to increasing safety to helping the
environment, the benefits of having your tires
rotated and maintained well are many. Whether you
decide to rotate your tires yourself or have it
done at a local service shop, the key is to try
and make it a regular part of your overall car
maintenance schedule. Because when the rubber
hits the road, you want the peace of mind that
comes from knowing your tires are ready to
roll. Article Resource  https//www.tocowarranty
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