Tire rotation is a key part of vehicle maintenance, but if you’re like most drivers you hardly ever think about it. Could it be because we take our tires for granted? That other parts of the care are more prominent in our minds when it comes to check-ups? That those of us who don’t rotate our tires simply put it out of mind? Whatever the reason may be, it doesn’t excuse the fact that tires should be rotated with more frequency than most of us realize.
Guidelines for how often you should change your tires are somewhat rough. Common advice says they should be rotated every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Why such a wide range? Because there are two specific numbers to work from: the one given in your car’s user manual, and your tire manufacturer’s guidelines. These can be two different numbers entirely influenced by different factors, hence the large range. If you’re not sure, ask a trusted mechanic for their opinion.
Again, most people would see those numbers and think that’s far too often to bother with. However, it’s a matter of safety. Tires tend to wear unevenly due to things like changing road conditions and even position on the vehicle itself. When the tread begins to wear, a tire loses its grip. When all of your tires are wearing at uneven rates, it can create steering problems and worsen already dangerous driving situations, like slipping on ice. Tire rotation addresses this problem by moving each tire to a new position of the car, on the opposite side and in the opposite row of its previous position. Doing this regularly slows the rate of tread wear.
Don’t wait until you notice signs of tread wear to rotate your tires. Have it done at regular intervals to minimize the risk and take out the guesswork. To learn more ways you can keep your car safe, visit New York Autobrokers at
320 Main Street in Islip, or call us at 877-568-2441.