If you own a car, then tire maintenance needs to be part of your overall vehicle maintenance. After all, your tires carry the load and impact the quality of your ride. And in particular, tire rotation needs to be at least an annual occurrence.
Why should that be? Read on to learn the vehicle ownership benefits of getting a tire rotation!
Tire Wear Will Be Even with Regular Rotation
A key benefit of regular tire rotation is that you’ll see more even wear on the tire tread. The tires on the right side of a car, for example, tend to get more wear because the drive wheel is located there. Other factors, including driving style and load, can impact which tires get the most wear, too.
By rotating your tires when you hit 5,000-mile increments, you can help prevent uneven wear. Find a professional within the automotive industry to do this for you. They should provide tread depth measurements, too, so you can track wear.
Avoid Cupping Issues on All Types of Tires
While tires can experience various types of wear, cupping has a distinct look. You’ll see scalloped indentations where the tire is worn. But the tire might look fine immediately next to that area.
Cupping can contribute to a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. One way to reduce the chances of experiencing this issue is by rotating tires. Whether you own 4×4 wheels or snow tires, you’ll see the difference with tire rotation.
Cupping can result from imbalanced tires. But have a qualified mechanic check your suspension if you continue to see cupping after a tire rotation and alignment.
Your Car Will Be Safer
Aside from tire rotation, pay attention to how inflated your car’s tires are. During the cold winter months, for instance, your tires may lose pressure as air condenses. And underinflated tires will reduce performance and pose a safety risk.
The outside edges of your tires will wear more if underinflated. Interior portions of the tire will wear more when the tires are overinflated. You can avoid these problems by checking air pressure levels each week and rotating your tires.
Additionally, if you fail to rotate tires, your front tires may wear down faster. If you hit an emergency situation, you’ll need to apply the brakes quickly. But your front tires won’t behave as well as your back tires, meaning you might skid.
Tire Rotation Results in Improved Handling
You may think that handling only pertains to your steering wheel. But the tires play a vital role in keeping handling nimble and safe.
When your tire tread is uneven in the front versus back, you’ll notice it on the road. Soft tires with little remaining tread might not offer the braking control you expect. This can translate to increased stopping distances.
Tires with significant cupping will be bumpy on the road. If you’re trying to make a lane change in traffic, you’ll need to allow plenty of room for unexpected shakes that throw off your steering. In other words, handling won’t be as nimble as it once was.
Save Money on the Best Car Tires
Are you on a budget? If you own the best truck tires or best car tires, you want them to last. You can prolong their life with regular tire rotation.
With routine rotation, you’ll ensure that one tire won’t shoulder more of the load and wear down faster. And you’ll reduce the risk of a blowout due to thin shoulders or uneven tread.
If you have a blowout, you’ll be forced to purchase a new tire and have to find the money quickly. You can opt for a used tire, but you won’t know much about its history and it could result in a ride that’s anything but smooth.
Ideally, you’ll want to replace all four tires at the same time to ensure even wear. Since the best car tires cost over $100 each, buying a set is a significant investment.
It’s one you can stave off for 40,000 miles if you pursue regular tire rotation, though! If you neglect to rotate tires, the ones that wear fastest could become unsafe thousands of miles before their normal lifespan ends.
Get a Nicer Rider
Make tire rotation an annual or biannual part of your vehicle ownership routine. You might be able to get away with an annual rotation if your commute is short. But if you log more miles or take longer trips, plan on doing it twice each year.
When you’re on a road trip during the summer months, you’ll feel the difference. Even tread will grip the road and handle stones, divots, and other surface blemishes with ease. You won’t have a vibrating or shaky car to control, either.
And on top of that, you’ll have a quieter ride. Tire tread that is even won’t produce as much road noise when you’re speeding down the highway, You’ll be able to hear your music. And perhaps more importantly, you’ll be able to hear emergency vehicles as they approach.
Make Tire Maintenance Part of Vehicle Ownership
Scheduling regular tire rotation is critical to the overall comfort and safety of your vehicle. You’ll see more even wear on the tread and extend the life of your tires. You’ll also feel more confident knowing that a skilled technician from the automotive industry is evaluating your tires and can advise you when it’s time to make a change.
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