Recommended Tire Rotation Frequency

When was the last time you had your tires rotated? Tire rotations are important maintenance tasks that will help keep your vehicle working properly and be safe. Of course, you may not be aware of how often you should get your tires rotated. Experts recommend that drivers get their tires rotated every six months or 7,500 miles, whichever one comes first. Now, why do cars need to get tire rotations here and there, you may wonder? We will explore why they are important and what can happen if you don’t get a tire rotation.

What Happens If I Don’t Get a Tire Rotation?

A variety of consequences can happen if you neglect to get a tire rotation for too long. First, not completing this work promotes uneven tire wear. Certain tires will lose their tread quicker than others, ultimately creating a safety hazard as there is less traction to the road. This may also hinder your handling of the vehicle as the tire treads are no longer even. Finally, not getting your tires rotated will prove to be more expensive as worn tires will need replacing a lot sooner. Basically, tire rotations are worth the investment!

Why Tires Wear Differently for Different Drivetrains

It’s also important to note that tires on different vehicles will wear in unique ways. For instance, the front two tires will wear quicker than the rear two tires with front-wheel drive vehicles. This is due to most of the vehicle’s weight being at the front. Meanwhile, rear-wheel drive vehicles will see more wear at the back two tires. All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive drivetrains are unique in that tire wear can vary based on the terrain.

[ READ MORE: How to Tell If You Need a New Car Battery ]

Unsure if you need to replace a tire? You should monitor the depth of each of your tires by using the quarter test. With a quarter, place it upside down with the head facing you. If you can see the top of the president’s head, it’s time to get new tires!