What is Tire Rotation?

So, what does rotating tires mean? On most vehicles, it simply means that the front tires are moved to the rear, and the rear tires are moved to the front. It’s also common to put the tires on the opposite side of the vehicle in what’s called a rotation pattern; for instance, the tire on the front left side will be moved to the rear right side.

The majority of vehicles on the road carry most of their weight in the front, and that means the front tires tend to wear out quicker. Whether you have front-wheel, rear-wheel, all-wheel, or four-wheel drive can also play a role in how fast your tires wear. Take a front-wheel drive vehicle, for example. With FWD, power is sent to the front wheels, and this exerts even more pressure on the front tires, resulting in faster wear. When your service technician rotates your tires, he or she will follow a rotation pattern based on your drivetrain to guarantee the most even wear possible.

What Does Tire Rotation Do?
Tire rotation is a crucial part of routine vehicle maintenance. It serves several purposes, including:

• Traction Preservation: When tires wear more evenly, they better retain tread depth. Adequate tread depth helps your tires effectively grip the road and maintain sufficient traction.
• Blowout Prevention: As tires wear down, they are at greater risk of failure. Tire rotation distributes wear more evenly so one or two tires are not bearing the bulk of the stress and strain. This means less chance of a dangerous blowout.
• Performance Enhancement: When tires wear evenly, they generate less vibration, so your steering wheel is easier to handle, the vehicle easier to control, and the ride is smoother.
• Better Fuel Efficiency: If a tire is worn, it creates more drag on the vehicle and stress on the engine, both of which can increase how much fuel you use. With even tire wear, drag and engine strain are kept to a minimum–and that can mean fewer trips to the gas pump.

Trust Salt Lake Valley Buick GMC for All Your Tire Needs
We’ve answered a lot of questions here: What is tire rotation? What does rotating tires mean? What does tire rotation do? When you need this important service, Salt Lake Valley Buick GMC can help. Contact us for more information or to make an appointment. If you’re in the market for new tires, be sure to visit our tire store.