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Quick, name the top two safety features on your car, truck, or SUV. Chances are good that tires didn't factor high among the answers. But tires are your vehicle's sole connection to the road. You need to know one of the simplest things you can do to take care of them, so they can take care of you: periodic tire rotation.
"Most drivers don't pay attention to their tires," says Matt Edmonds, executive vice president at the Tire Rack, the largest online marketplace for tire sales in the United States. While tires are his business, Edmonds is under no illusion that tire rotation, a vitally important safety check, is going to get pulses racing.
That's because car tires can seem, well, kind of boring. Most drivers tend not to notice them unless they get a flat. Tires don't have the panache of self-driving technology, the excitement of rubber-burning horsepower, or the feel-good factor of automated emergency braking and blind-spot-monitoring systems.
Too bad, because tire rotation is important when it comes to maintaining the performance and safety of your vehicle. Your tires are, quite literally, where the rubber meets the road, as your tires' contact patches with the pavement are in use during every single drive, in all weather conditions. Well-cared-for tires keep you safe.
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Tire RackDepending on whether the vehicle you're driving is front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive, the tires will wear at different rates. The driven wheels have more work to do and often exhibit quicker rates of wear.
A front-wheel-drive car, for example, uses its hard-working front wheels to steer, brake, and put the power down to the pavement (all while carrying the added weight of a front-mounted engine and transaxle).
“By rotating your tires, you give the tires a chance to even out their wear and get extended life out of your tires,” Edmonds explains. He recommends having your tires rotated about every 3000 to 5000 miles, or at least every time you go in for an oil change. If your owner's manual states that your car doesn't need new oil that frequently, then plan on a tire rotation at least once every six months.
Rotating your tires evens out the wear and makes them last longer.
Proper rotation not only helps even out wear and extend the life of your tires, it provides the perfect opportunity to make certain all four wheels are in good working order. “As we're coming out of winter and going into spring, it's a good time to inspect the tires' outside and inside shoulder for damage, particularly from potholes,” Edmonds says.
It's also a good time to check the condition of your wheel rims, which can be bent by hard impacts with potholes—sometimes only on the inboard side of the rim, where you can't easily see it.
Two common tire problems that might surface during an inspection include cupping and blistering of the sidewall.
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Tire cupping, Edmonds explains, is more common in older vehicles with suspension systems that are aging and in need of repair. This issue presents itself via uneven wear patterns in the tread, which, if ignored, could significantly affect a vehicle's ride, steering, and braking ability while also wearing out tires prematurely.
A blistered sidewall—literally, a bulge in the sidewall—might result from slamming into a deep pothole. "A tear might occur inside the tire when that tire gets pinched. The air could then get into the structure of the tire, and you get a blister," Edmonds says. If unseen or left undiagnosed, this problem could result in a flat tire or a blowout that could cause a serious accident.
We suffered 10 pothole-related tire failures recently with one of our long-term test cars, a 2017 Jaguar XE, over the course of its 40,000-mile stay, due to Michigan's cratered road surfaces.
According to the Tire Industry Association, three tire-rotation patterns cover most of today's vehicles, as long as they are fitted with equal-size tires front and rear and those tires are not unidirectional (meaning they have to rotate in only one direction to function properly).
Rotation pattern for front-drive vehicles: Swap the front tires straight to the rear position on the same side. Take the rear tires and move them to the opposite front corner (e.g., the right rear tire gets moved to the left front).
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Rotation pattern for rear-drive vehicles: Move the rear tires straight to the front, then move each front tire to the opposite rear corner (for example, move the right front to the left rear).
Rotation pattern for all-wheel-drive vehicles: Crisscross all four tires (move the right front to the left rear, the left front to the right rear, the left rear to the right front, and the right rear to the left front).
By the way, rugged-looking SUVs may be all the rage, but having a vehicle with all-wheel drive doesn't mean you're immune to tire-rotation maintenance. "That is a common misconception," says Edmonds, regarding the idea that all-wheel-drive vehicles automatically have tires that wear more evenly. "All-wheel-drive systems don't always drive all the wheels all the time," he explains, adding that transfer cases and electronically controlled differentials can shift power between the front and rear wheels, depending on the conditions and the drive mode that's been selected. And a vehicle's inherent weight difference between the front and rear can also affect tire wear.
Extra attention needs to be paid when it comes to vehicles with different wheel sizes at the front and rear and those fitted with unidirectional tires—tires that are designed to rotate in one direction only.
In many cases, this setup is used on high-performance vehicles, and tire-rotation patterns need to be adjusted to suit. In fact, some of these staggered-tire packages, as they are called, cannot be rotated unless the tires are dismounted and then remounted on the opposite-side wheels. In some cases it may not be worth the time, money, or trouble to rotate the tires.
If you have any doubts about correct tire rotation, consult the owner's manual, inquire at a dealership, or talk to an expert who is familiar with your vehicle and its tires. But whatever you do, rotate them if possible. At the very least, it'll help your tires last longer and will save you money.
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Why should you get your tires rotated? Because it’s one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your tires and get the most miles out of them. And you only need to do it a couple of times a year.
Already know you need a tire rotation? Come visit us at one of our local stores or schedule an appointment.
Rotating the tires on your vehicle means moving them to different positions on your car or truck. This helps promote even tread wear on all four tires.
No matter how you drive, front and rear tires can wear at different rates.
Tires that are mounted on the drive axle (the front two wheels on a front-wheel drive or back two on a rear-wheel drive) wear more quickly than the “free rolling” tires on the other axle.
Properly rotated tires can make for a smoother ride. It can also extend the life of your tires, saving you both time and money. By rotating your tires, you even out the wear to get the most tread life from every tire. Regular rotations are equally important, even if you have an all-wheel drive vehicle.
A good rule of thumb is every 5,000 miles. Depending on your vehicle, driving style, and tire type, you may need to rotate your tires more or less often. If you’re not sure, stop by Les Schwab. We’ll help you come up with a rotation schedule.
Regular tire rotations can help spot uneven tire wear early. Going too long between rotations may result in a wear pattern that can’t be fixed, no matter where the tire is moved on the vehicle. These wear patterns could result in the need for new tires sooner than expected.
Here are some ways to remember your next rotation.
Getting your tires rotated every 5,000 miles is generally a pretty quick process. The professionals at Les Schwab will take the time to do a thorough tire rotation by also balancing your Les Schwab tires, checking your air pressure, doing a visual check of important safety systems, and documenting anything you should be aware of during the process. Once your vehicle is in our service bays, you can expect this procedure to be completed in about half an hour. Taking the time to make tire rotations a part of your normal vehicle maintenance regimen can add significant life to your tires, promote even tire wear for a smoother and more comfortable ride, and save you money in the long run.
The standard tire rotation is front-to-rear, but there are multiple patterns that could also help promote long tire life.
Here’s what Les Schwab tire pros consider to properly rotate and position the tires on your vehicle.
As always, check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations from the manufacturer.
If you have Les Schwab tires on your vehicle, rotations are free for the life of those tires. Plus we balance your wheels as part of the service. Don’t have Les Schwab tires? Our pros can still help maximize the life of your tires. Stop by your local Les Schwab for a quick estimate.
Don’t put tire rotations off. This simple task can maximize the life of your tires. When you buy tires from Les Schwab, we rotate them for free on most vehicles. Plus, we provide free rotation reminders by email.
Just ask at your local store.
part (guest) 0 comments
There is no definite answer. It depends on which tires you bought first, how much you ride, how you ride, in what conditions.
part answered the question December 5 2018
I change tires (guest) 0 comments
How often do you change tires? I will buy a new one and go about 30 km a year, changing tires every 3-4 years. I know people who have been riding the same bald tires for 10 years, but it's very dangerous and irresponsible.
I change tires answered the question December 5 2018
adviser260 0 comments
It is worth being able to read the age of the tire because the tire also ages.
The date of manufacture of the tire is written on the sidewall of the tire, behind the DOT symbol next to this symbol.
There may be something else with this point, not just the age of the tires.
The production date of this tire is indicated by 3 or 4 numbers with additional embossing. Pay special attention to tires with a three-digit marking. Such tires are very old - at least 3 years old, because such models were produced before 20 years.
The four-digit strings represent new tires and can be deciphered: the first two numbers indicate the week and the last two numbers indicate the year the tires were manufactured.
A year has just over 4 weeks.
Example: 1410 means that the model was made on the 14th week of 2010, that is, in 2010 sometime in the first half of April.
advisor answered the question January 1 2019
Matteo (guest) 0 comments
Polish regulations state that the tread depth must be at least 1.6 mm.
But this 1.6 is the last resort, and then there is less grip, it is better not to wait until the tread becomes so shallow and replace the tires earlier. Especially if we drive a lot or drive fast.
In winter tires, the gap depth between the blocks must be at least 4 mm, and in summer tires - 3 mm - this will prevent our car from skidding.
Each tire is also equipped with a special TWI tread wear indicator. It is marked with a triangle symbol.
The best tires also sometimes have additional indicators showing tire wear and suggest tire replacement.
Matt answered the question January 1 2019
park (guest) 0 comments
I change tires when I vulcanize, suggest I do. Cool people work alongside me in vulcanization, and you can always rely on their reliable opinion. When they say I need to change tires, I change tires.
park answered the question January 1 2019
gyodo (guest) 0 comments
I also rely on the opinion of the curing specialist. I use a shop where you can buy new and used tires locally.
I know they don't cheat me for profit. I have known them for over a decade and I have an idea about tires.
Giodo answered a question April 17 2020
nasturtium10.14K 0 comments
I rely on professionals who change tires every season. They know this, and when the time comes, they recommend replacing old tires with new ones. I don't know anything about it myself.
nasturtium answered the question July 10 2021
m_marec14.93K 0 comments
If someone drives a lot, they will change tires more often than someone who doesn't drive much. Apparently, tires should be changed after a run of about 60,000 km.
It all depends on the manufacturer, one has more km, the other has less.
m_marec answered a question August 26 2022
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How do you know when tires are completely worn out and it's time to change them? Everything is simple. For summer tires, the limit is 1.6 mm of residual tread depth, and for winter (or all-season tires used in winter) - 4 mm. Modern summer tires can cover from 40,000 to 70,000 km, depending on driving style and vehicle characteristics. An average motorist rolls such a mileage on summer tires in 2-3 seasons. Moreover, wear implies not only a decrease in tread depth. For millions of cycles of deformation, the strength of the carcass and its adhesion to the layers of the rubber compound are violated. In short, every 2-3 years you should buy a new set of tires.
In the event of irreparable damage to one of the tires and a relatively high total mileage of the kit, it is also worth considering replacing it.
Well, or about buying at least a pair of new tires, which, for any type of drive, should be installed on the front axle. We put two tires back - the most decent of the remaining ones.
Many motorists drive only a few thousand kilometers a year. This does not mean that the tires will serve you for several decades. According to Russian requirements (GOST 4754-97), the service life of passenger car tires is 5 years from the date of manufacture. And for example, Continental recommends that all car tires (including the spare tire) older than 10 years old should be replaced with new ones. Therefore, with small runs, you can navigate for ten years. The date of manufacture of the tire is indicated on the sidewall. Usually it is an oval with four numbers. The first two are the ordinal number of the week in the year, the last two indicate the year.
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Tires should be rotated periodically in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations - information on this can be found in the owner's manual.
We can advise you to use the tires carefully and, most importantly, to store them correctly in the off-season. First of all, during storage, it is important to exclude direct sunlight from hitting the tires, which greatly age the rubber. Tires without rims should be placed vertically, and stacked on rims.
And before installing tires on a car at the beginning of the season, evaluate their condition. There should be no cracks in the tread and sidewalls. The tire should not be dry, it should remain rubbery and not look like baked plastic.
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Driving on badly worn tires - will I be fined or not?
Winter tires have a much shorter "life". They almost always fail due to the wear of the treadmill, because the tread of a new tire is 7–8 mm, and only 3–4 mm remain working height. If the tires are studded, then with such wear there are very few metal elements left, and the tire will not provide adequate safety when driving on a winter road.
