How much does it cost to get my tires rotated


How much does a tire rotation cost?

For many car owners, tire rotation is at the very bottom of their maintenance checklist. But it’s one of the simplest, yet most critical maintenance activities. After all, no matter how great the condition of your vehicle, if the tires are in bad shape, your car might not perform at the intended level.

One reason for ignoring tire maintenance is the fear of mounting car ownership costs. These expenses can add up to a sizeable amount over time, but they're crucial for keeping your vehicle in good shape. With that in mind, how much does a tire rotation cost? And does your car really need it? In this article, we're going to help you find the answers.

What is tire rotation, and why is it important?

In simple terms, a tire rotation involves switching your vehicle's four tires. This is essential since tires usually wear unevenly because of the different levels and types of stress they endure at each wheel. For example, in front-wheel drive vehicles, front tires typically wear out faster than the rear ones. And if you’re frequently taking sharp right turns, it could put extra stress on your left front tire.

By rotating tires regularly, you can help achieve similar wear on all four tires over time. It alternates the levels of stress so that one tire doesn't get worse than the others. Ideally, this should prevent you from needing to replace your tires more often because they'll all be wearing down evenly.

Rotating your tires on a regular basis can also reduce the strain on drive components and provide better traction and handling when you're making those sharp turns or stepping on your brakes to come to a sudden halt. Therefore, in the long-term, tire rotations may yield significant cost savings when it comes to tire replacements and general maintenance. Having your tires rotated could even improve the vehicle’s overall performance and provide better fuel efficiency. This means you may save money at the gas station, too. 

In many cases, it might be a mandatory requirement for tire warranties to remain valid, so you'll have to do it if you want to keep your tires covered. But most importantly, it could improve road safety for you and your loved ones. That's something you should never leave to chance.

How often should you rotate your tires?

Mechanics typically recommend a tire rotation every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, check your owners manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations. That’s around every six to 12 months, but this could depend on several factors. For example, the tire rotation frequency could vary based on your car’s make and model. If you’re using a newly bought vehicle, then the owner’s manual can guide you on this.

A car that undergoes rough handling may also need more frequent tire rotations. The weight of the vehicle could have a say in this, too. And a new set of tires usually require a rotation sooner. This is because uneven tread wear would be more pronounced on new tires than on their older counterparts.

You can also gauge uneven tire wear on your own with a visual inspection. If you haven’t rotated the tires in a while, you may notice different levels of tread wear on each tire. Also, watch out for frequently low tire pressure on one or two tires or a vibration when you’re driving at higher speeds. All these could signal that it’s high time for a tire rotation.

If in doubt, speak to a qualified mechanic for advice on when you should rotate your tires. 

How much is a tire rotation?

Generally, a tire rotation could cost somewhere between $24 to $50. But sometimes, it could even go up to $120. What you pay might depend on where you go and what other services you get.

Some car owners who are looking to cut down on maintenance costs may choose to perform this task on their own, but it’s usually best to hire a qualified mechanic. Taking your car to a professional could give you an opportunity to get a quick visual inspection done by an expert. 

For instance, they could check for uneven tread wear on the inside and outside parts of a tire, which may mean a more serious issue that requires attention. Your mechanic could also advise you on the best tire rotation pattern for the car. This would depend on several factors such as your vehicle and tire type.

Tire maintenance: a few essential tips 

At the end of the day, tire rotation costs should not prevent you from getting your tire maintenance work done on time. The benefits of having this service performed regularly usually outweigh the cost. If you find your mechanic’s quote to be on the high side, don’t be afraid to shop around and find somewhere more affordable.

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind when thinking about tire rotation:

  • Prepare a maintenance checklist and include tire rotations based on the frequency recommended in the owner’s manual or as advised by your mechanic.
  • If you’re planning on purchasing a new set of tires, check whether it includes free rotation services. Some sellers offer complimentary tire rotations during the warranty period. This could help you save up on the cost.
  • Always check the tire condition when buying a car. Worn-out tires could need a replacement soon after purchase. And uneven wear might signal that the car hasn't gone through regular maintenance. Understanding these could help you negotiate a better deal.
  • When planning to finance a new car, remember to factor in tire maintenance under ownership costs. Although it’s a small expense, it would still add to your total costs of ownership in the long-term.

Unlike an oil change or a brake disc service, you may not encounter immediate troubles if you forget to schedule a tire rotation. But the consequences of continuing to neglect it could be costly, not just financially, but also in terms of safety. Remember, the performance of your entire car may ride on your tires, quite literally. So, regular tire rotation and maintenance should not be just an afterthought.

How Much Does It Cost To Get a Tire Rotation?

‍Tire rotation is a vital maintenance service that should be performed regularly—though it’s easy to forget. If you haven’t had a tire rotation recently, you may be wondering how much it’ll cost.

Tire rotations aren’t usually expensive. Yet they can save you thousands on premature tire replacements and undue suspension repairs. And usually, it’ll be done within an hour. So how much does such a vital service cost?

So, how much does it cost to get a tire rotation? The average price of a tire rotation costs between $35 for a basic job to $100+ for an extensive service on a tricky vehicle. Most customers walk out the door spending less than $100, including taxes, and spend an average of 40 minutes waiting for the job to be finished.

A tire rotation is one of the least pricey and most important regular services for your car. However, most tire rotations aren’t just a rotation, and several factors can increase the cost. If you opt for tire balancing and an alignment, the cost can quickly jump to $150, especially if your car is overdue for either.

We sourced the information in this article from careful research and industry pricing trends. We also drew off our professional experience working in the wheel and tire industry.

‍What Is a Tire Rotation?

Before we get into tire rotation pricing, let’s cover what the service really means and why it’s so important. A tire rotation simply rotates the tires around the car. In many cases, this is a simple task—but depending on the type of car, it may be more complex and labor-intensive.

Why is a Tire Rotation Necessary?

Roads are imperfect, and mechanical stress on various parts of a car differs widely. For example, the weight of the engine over the front wheels can cause the tires to wear faster than the back wheels—though a rear-wheel-drive vehicle may wear the rear tires faster.

Another comparison between the front and back wheels has to do with steering. A back tire may never use the outer bands of the tread, as the wheels are laterally fixed. However, the variations caused by steering the front wheels may wear the outer tread more significantly.

A tire rotation moves the tires around, allowing them to wear down more evenly as they’re exposed to the same stresses over the life of the tire. Without a tire rotation, you’ll get unevenly-worn tires that will need to be replaced sooner, even though some areas have very little wear.

How Tire Rotations Work

The tire rotation process itself depends largely on the type of vehicle, wheel sizes, and tire types.

In the past, a tire rotation was performed by simply unbolting each wheel and ‘rotating’ it one forward or one back. By the end of this process, each wheel will have advanced one single position. Another common procedure for traditional rear-wheel-drive vehicles was to simply swap the front and rear tires.

However, modern cars with varied drive lines have a different procedure. The process is further complicated if the wheels on the front are a different size than they are on the rear, which is common in luxury and performance cars made by companies such as BMW.

Average Cost of a Tire Rotation

For most typical cars and light trucks, a tire rotation is one of the least expensive services you can receive. The lowest cost of a tire rotation hovers around $35 to $50, and it’s usually done in less than an hour.

However, luxury cars and larger vehicles tend to be more expensive to service, and tire rotation may be effectively impossible. These vehicles cost upwards of $200 for a tire rotation, and they may require total tire replacement in about half the mileage of a standard car with equally-sized wheels and tires.

Often, people opt to have their tires balanced and (perhaps) receive an alignment as well, which can cost at least $20 to $30 extra. Despite the increased cost, this procedure is usually necessary as wheels should be balanced at regular intervals—especially as tires wear down.

Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD) Tire Rotation and Cost

The vast majority of cars sold today are front-wheel-drive, or FWD. This means that the engine (which is usually horizontally-oriented) sends the power to the front wheels, which also do the steering. As you can imagine, this causes the front tires to wear out faster than the rear tires.

In a standard FWD car, like a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla, a technician will typically rotate the front and rear tires in an “X” pattern. The rear passenger wheel and tire go to the front driver’s side, and the rear driver’s side wheel and tire go to the front passenger side.

Basic front-wheel-drive cars are usually the least expensive to service, as the tires hardly ever need to be removed from the wheels. The average cost of a front-wheel-drive tire rotation is between $40 and $70, and the job time is less than an hour.

Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) Tire Rotation and Cost

Rear-wheel-drive (or RWD) vehicles were once the standard configuration for cars and trucks. This began to change in the 1980s, as the advantages of FWD for commuter cars made them a preferable option. Still, the procedure for rotating RWD tires is virtually identical to FWD cars, and the cost remains the same.

The cost to rotate a typical RWD vehicle’s tires is between $30 and $80. It can cost more due to the generally increased size of the tires on older vehicles. Today, most RWD vehicles are pickup trucks or performance vehicles, which have their own sets of challenges that we’ll cover later.

All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) Tire Rotation and Cost

All-wheel-drive (or AWD) vehicles are known for wearing out tires fast. It’s especially important to have your tires rotated regularly if you have an AWD vehicle due to the increased wear speed and the widely varied power loads.

Most AWD vehicles distribute more power to the front wheels. But since the rear wheels also get power, the tires are worn out extra fast (but faster in the front). This complicates the process. Additionally, skipping tire rotations may cause your tires to wear out beyond the point of rotation—in which case you’ll need a whole new set prematurely.

AWD tires should not be rotated front-to-back or in a circle. Most shop techs agree (as do most manufacturers) that AWD tires should be rotated in an “X” pattern. This has become the standard procedure for most vehicles today.

The cost of an AWD tire rotation will be about the same as a standard RWD or FWD car, provided that the wear isn’t too uneven. These tires will likely require balancing at each rotation, which can increase the cost up to 50%. A safe estimate is $80 to $100 at most tire shops for an AWD tire rotation.

Four-Wheel-Drive (4WD or 4x4) Tire Rotation and Cost

Many people incorrectly assume that AWD and 4WD systems are the same. In most cases, they’re not—and a 4WD vehicle likely costs less to service than an AWD car. 4WD (also known as 4x4) is usually designed to run part-time only. This means that, on pavement, the vehicle almost exclusively uses the rear wheels for power unless the operator manually switches into 4WD.

4WD is not designed for dry pavement. In fact, using 4WD on asphalt can seriously damage the entire system—including the tires. Most expensive tire rotations are the result of improper 4WD use over an extended period of time.

If a 4WD system is operated and maintained correctly, the cost (and procedure) to rotate tires is usually the same as a 2WD system and rarely costs more than $100.

Electric Vehicle Tire Rotation and Cost

Electric vehicles are relatively new to the market. Yet they’ve quickly garnered a notorious reputation for burning through tires, and thus, needing more frequent tire rotations.

This is because electric vehicles apply 100% of their torque immediately, which is a massive strain on tires. A conventional car has a powerband and doesn’t reach peak performance until well after the tires begin to move. Electric vehicles are always at peak performance, which causes progressive tire wear.

Electric vehicle tires should be rotated every 3,000 miles for long life. The procedure itself usually costs about $80 to $100 and must occur more frequently than conventional vehicles.

How Tire Types Affect Tire Rotation Cost

The type of tire you have can increase the cost of a tire rotation. For example, large off-road tires (when used primarily on pavement) can wear down unevenly—and quite rapidly too.

Shop techs don’t like lifting massive wheels and tires, and balancing them requires more time and materials. These factors can increase the price of tire rotations for big trucks and SUVs.

How Different Wheel Sizes Affect Tire Rotation Cost

Today, it’s increasingly common for new vehicles to use larger wheels and tires in the rear. This is for traction and stability and may even increase fuel economy. However, it poses a problem for shop techs: cars with different tires in the back can’t receive a full rotation.

The cost of the rotation and balancing will be about the same and range from $40 to $100. However, techs will only be able to rotate the tires side-to-side and not back-to-front. Over time, this will decrease the life of the tires by up to 30% or more.

Can You Rotate Your Own Tires?

Yes, you can rotate your own tires virtually for free—but you won’t get the added benefit of tire balancing. As tires wear down, the need for counterweights increases. An unbalanced tire can cause dramatic vibrations on the highway and even throw off your alignment.

All you need to rotate tires is a jack and a tire iron. These items cost no more than $75 total, and they can be reused indefinitely. For the lowest-priced full tire service, simply remove all four wheels and take them to a tire shop for balancing prior to rotation. Be sure to leave the car on blocks or jack stands.

Price list of tire services in Krasnodar.

Price list for tire services for passenger cars

Cost of standard service packages (for 4 wheels)
prices are indicated in rubles

No.

description

13

14"

15”

16”

17”

18”

19”

20”

21”

22”

1.

Price per set (profile 55 and above)

950

1100

1300

1500

1700

1900

2100

2000

2700

2900

2.

Coefficient for low profile tires profile 50 and below/SUV/commercial vehicles

+ 20

Prices for tire fitting services (for 1 wheel)
prices are indicated in rubles

No.

Name of work

13

14”

15”

16”

17”

18”

19”

20”

21”

22”

1.

Removing and installing wheel

60

80

90

120

150

160

160

170

190

200

2.

Removing the tire from disc

60

80

90

100

100

140

140

170

180

180

3.

Mounting tire on rim

60

80

90

100

100

140

140

170

180

180

4.

Balancing

100

100

100

120

150

160

160

190

200

240

Total:

280

340

370

440

500

600

600

700

750

800

Additional services:

1.

Installation of weights kit (self-adhesive + stuffed)

50

50

60

60

70

70

80

80

100

100

2.

Valve installation
plain/chrome plated

40/80

40/80

40/80

40/80

40/80

40/80

40/80

40/80

40/80

40/80

3.

Installing a customer valve

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

4.

Checking, pumping pressure
1 wheel

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

5.

Packing the wheel in a bag

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

6.

Replacement of one spool

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

7.

Plastic cap (1 pc.)

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

8.

Camera installation

50

50

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9.

Camera repair

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

-

-

10

Sealing one side of the wheel with bead seal

100

100

100

100

110

110

150

150

170

180

11

Temporary
Tubeless Puncture Repair - Anchor / Harness

100/
50

100/
50

100/
50

100/
50

100/
50

100/
50

100/
50

100/
50

100/50

100/50

12

Tire repair
- patch / fungus

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

200

200

200

Vulcanization:

Consumables

Price

1.

112 patch

500

2.

114 patch

600

3.

115 patch

700

WARNING! WHEN REPAIRING TIRES, THE COST OF TIRE WORKS IS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY

Tire fitting and wheel balancing

Is it time to switch from winter to summer tires? Come to our car service to change tires by prior online appointment.

Shesteryonka car services are equipped with modern Italian balancing equipment RAVAGLIOLIM and a tire changer CORCHI , which allows tire fitting for wheels ranging in size from 12" to 30", including for low profile tires and type 9 tires0009 Run Flat.

In addition to tire fitting and wheel balancing, you will receive high-quality services for all types of repairs, including puncture and side cut repair, as well as washing and cleaning wheels. Service centers "Shesterenka" have the status of certified services that have the right to perform tire fitting and wheel balancing.

Cost of work
R12-14 R15 R16 R17-18 R19+
comm.
transport
light implemented light implemented light off-road
Wheel - remove/attach 90 100 120 110 150 140 170 170
Wheel - balancing 90 100 120 110 150 140 170 170
Wheel assembly 80 90 100 90 130 120 130 150
Wheel - removal 80 90 100 90 130 120 130 150
Wash wheel 50 50 50 50 70 70 70 70
Wheel - inflation 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Chamber - repair 50 50 50 50 50 - - -
One wheel conversion (excl. freight cost)
340 380 440 400 560 520 600 640
4 / 6 wheel conversion (excl. freight cost) 1360 1520 1760
1600 2240 2080 2400 2560/3840
Tire - repair (harness installation) 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150
Tire - repair (mushroom installation) 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150
Tire - repair (installation of cord patch) 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250
Tire - repair (side cut up to 3 cm) 250 250 250 250 250 300 300 300
Seat - cleaning 25 25 25 25 25 50 50 50
Seat - sealing 40 40 40 40 40 60 60 60
Disc test (balance) 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Hub treatment with copper grease (1 wheel) 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Installing a non-return valve 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Pressure sensor installation 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200

Please note that the price is indicated in rubles and is valid at the time of publication.


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