How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Tire rotations are important for keeping your car running smoothly. But when should you do it? Is it best to do so every 6 months or every 5,000 kilometers? We asked a few experts and did a little research to find out.

When should your tires be rotated?

Most automakers include tire rotations in their new-vehicle maintenance schedules and may include the service free of charge for the first few years or miles. Why? Because rotating your tires is critical to maintaining even tread wear, which not only helps tires last longer but also improves traction (especially in wet weather) and fuel economy. Many automakers also require tire rotations to maintain the new-car warranty on the tires. 

The owner’s manual for your vehicle will tell you when to rotate the tires. The intervals vary, but it’s generally recommended every 10,000 kilometers or so. The service is typically less expensive than an oil change, averaging $60+ depending on the vehicle and where you have it done.

What are the benefits of rotating your tires?

There are many benefits of rotating your tires, including extending the life of your tires, improving fuel economy, and improving handling and braking. 

Rotating your tires helps distribute wear more evenly, which extends the life of your tires. It also helps improve fuel economy because properly inflated and aligned tires have less rolling resistance. Finally, rotating your tires can improve handling and braking by ensuring that all four tires have similar traction.

Most manufacturers recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. However, this may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle as well as driving conditions. Be sure to check your owner’s manual or with a qualified service technician to find out what is best for your vehicle.

What is the best way to rotate tires?

There are different ways to rotate tires. The most common way is to rotate the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front. This is called a “cross rotation.” You can also do an “X rotation.” This is when the left front tire goes to the right rear position, the right front tire goes to the left rear position, and so on.