How often to have tires rotated


How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

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.

  • What is a Tire Rotation?
  • Why are Tire Rotations Important?
  • How Often Should You Get a Tire Rotation?
  • How Long Does a Tire Rotation Take?
  • Tire Rotation Patterns
  • How Much Does a Tire Rotation Cost at Les Schwab?

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.

  • Watch your odometer and get your vehicle in for a rotation every 5,000 miles.
  • Put a rotation reminder on your calendar.
  • Sign up for service reminders by providing your email address the next time you’re in a store.
  • When you change your oil, check your mileage for a possible tire 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.

Front-to-rear
  • Rear tires move to front on same side of vehicle
  • Used when wear is normal, and also when tires have directional tread (are designed to roll in one direction)
Forward cross (for front-wheel drive vehicles)
  • Front tires move straight back to the rear
  • Rear tires cross to opposite sides on front
  • Used when rear tires show uneven wear
X pattern (for all types of vehicles)
  • Front tires shift to opposite rear positions
  • Rear tires cross to opposite front positions
  • Used when there’s uneven wear
Rearward cross (for all-wheel, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles)
  • Rear tires move straight up to front
  • Front tires cross to opposite rear positions
  • Used when there’s uneven front-tire wear
Side-to-Side (for staggered (differently sized) wheels)
  • Front two tires are moved to opposite sides on front axle
  • Rear two tires are moved to opposite sides on back axle

What Tire Technicians Look for When Rotating Your Tires

Here’s what Les Schwab tire pros consider to properly rotate and position the tires on your vehicle.

  • What kind of vehicle do you drive (front-, rear-, all-, four-wheel)?
  • Do the tires show uneven wear? Where?
  • Do they have directional tread?
  • Are there any custom wheel-tire setup considerations, like staggered wheels (different wheel sizes on front and back)? Any offset concerns?

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.


Trust Les Schwab to Rotate Your Tires

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.

How Often Do I Need A Tire Rotation?

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Tires

  • Nov 27,2017

You care about your car and know it’s important to have your tires rotated at regular intervals. You also know that getting this done evens out tire wear, which means better handling and traction for you. But what exactly are “regular intervals”? Learn how often you should get a tire rotation, what's typically involved in the service, and how it can save you from having to buy new tires down the road. That's more money in your pocket for the things you care about!

How often should I get my tires rotated?

About every 7,500 miles or 6 months.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that you get your tires rotated approximately every 7,500 miles or six months. However, some vehicles are exceptions and it’s always best to refer to your owner’s manual. This number can change depending on how, where, and what you drive. Simplify things by making it a habit to get your tires rotated every time you get your oil changed.

What is involved in a tire rotation?

Tires are removed, swapped, and remounted.

Tire rotation consists of switching the front and rear tires. It’s crucial to do this because the drive tires (i.e. front tires in front wheel drive vehicles) work harder than the others. If you don’t swap them out, these tires will wear down faster. By rotating your tires, you distribute the burden among all four tires and ensure they wear down evenly. Take a look at the tire rotation pattern below and you'll see! At Firestone Complete Auto Care, our expert technicians remove, swap, and remount your tires so they live longer and drive safer.

How do regular tire rotations help me?

By helping you save money and drive safer.

Regular tire rotations reduce your risk of various tire problems—most obviously, a tire failure or blowout. By regularly rotating your tires, you’ll be less likely to experience those, reducing your risk for an inconvenient and even potentially dangerous situation. Tire rotations also help improve traction and fuel efficiency by ensuring your vehicle's tires wear down evenly. This increases the lifespan of your tires, meaning you’ll save money in the long run.

Getting your tires rotated is key to getting the best performance from both your tires and your vehicle. If you can't remember the last time you had your tires rotated, there's a pretty good chance they're overdue for this important service. Make an appointment for a tire rotation at your local Firestone Complete Auto Care today! We’ll get you rotated and rolling in no time.

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Tread wear - when to change tires to new ones?

Driving comfort, handling and safety level depend on the technical condition of tires. Car tires provide traction to the car in various climatic and road conditions. blog.ship-ship.ru

Driving comfort, handling and safety level depend on the technical condition of tires. Car tires provide traction to the car in various climatic and road conditions.

The tread is the outer layer of the tire. It comes into contact with the road, creates a contact patch and provides traction. The tread pattern differs in volume, consists of blocks, grooves, lamellas of a certain depth.

The tread is responsible for the grip of the wheels on dry, wet, snowy and icy roads. It removes water, dirt and snow from the contact patch. The system of blocks and grooves prevents the effect of hydroplaning, when a water cushion forms between the wheel and the road during rain.

The degree of wear of the tire tread affects the handling, maneuverability, stability of the car, and the length of the braking distance. There are requirements for the depth of the tread pattern. If the outer layer of the tire is worn out, then it is changed.

It is important to understand that worn tires are not able to cope with the tasks:

  • Increased braking distance on both dry and wet pavement.
  • If the tread wear depth is below normal, this leads to hydroplaning. Result: the wheels of the car rotate at different speeds. One of the wheels may be above the road surface.

Tread wear is the main cause of deterioration in braking quality, poor handling and directional stability. At the same time, worn tires show equally unstable behavior on any type of road surface in rain, snow or dry weather.

Permissible tread wear

Winter and summer tires differ in thickness, composition of the rubber compound, the number, shape and size of blocks and grooves. The selection of tires depends on the make and model of the car, body type and class, climatic and road conditions (city, highway, country roads, off-road), speed limit and driving style.

Winter tires

The new tires have deep grooves and numerous sipes that provide excellent traction. Manufacturers produce winter tires with three types of tread:

  • studded - the presence of steel clutch elements, studs;
  • friction - non-studded rubber or Velcro;
  • Scandinavian.

Spikes are used for driving on roads and ice that have not been cleared of snow. The spikes bite into the ice crust and split it, providing excellent traction. But when driving on dry asphalt, the spike loses its working properties.

Velcro friction tires are suitable for driving on a dry clean road, melted and shallow snow, mud. The main difference between Velcro is the presence of lugs, special grip edges that increase the stability of the wheels on wet road surfaces.

Scandinavian tires are used in the conditions of the northern regions, which are characterized by extreme sub-zero temperatures and snowfalls. The main difference between the Scandinavian tread is wide sipes, massive numerous blocks cut by grooves.

How often to change winter tires:

In modern tire models, the tread height is 9-12 mm. The permissible wear level here will be from 4 to 6 mm. If the wear 'threshold' passes, the tire is changed regardless of how long it lasts.

Important: The tread of a winter tire is always 3-4 mm higher than the summer model. The depth of the Scandinavian tire pattern should also be sufficient - at least 8-9 mm.

The need for replacement will also be indicated by special indicators located at the base of the tire.

Summer tires

The tread depth of summer tires is 6-8 mm. The minimum tread wear must be at least 1.6 mm.

The tread pattern must be clearly legible. Otherwise, the traction and grip properties of the wheels deteriorate, the tires cannot effectively remove water and dirt from the contact patch, and the effect of aquaplaning is possible.

For sports cars, the tread height is 12 mm. For SUVs, the height indicator increases by another 5 mm.

When it is legal to change tires

According to the rules of the road, the maximum allowable tread wear is:

  • For cars with a maximum weight of up to 3.5 tons: summer - 1.6 mm; winter - 4 mm.
  • For trucks and trailers - 1 mm.
  • For motorcycles, scooters, mopeds - 0.8 mm.

The residual wear of the tread for minibuses and buses designed to carry more than 8 passengers is 2 mm.

How to determine tread wear

In order not to get into an emergency on the road, the car owner should periodically check the wear of the tread pattern. This can be done in the following ways:

  • Caliper

Take a measuring tool with a depth gauge - a caliper. Pull out the depth gauge, rest its nose against the base of the drawing. The caliper should rest against the top of the rubber.

You will see readings on a mechanical or electronic scale. If the value for summer tires is less than 1.6 mm, such tires need to be replaced urgently. For winter, this figure will be below 4 mm.

To make the reading as accurate as possible, measurements are taken from the base of the figure. It should be smooth, without protrusions.

  • Coin

Take a coin with a face value of two rubles. Put it in the groove. If the ‘meter’ deepened to the word ‘ruble’, the residual depth is 4 mm. If the word 'ruble' has disappeared - the depth is 6 mm. But if the protector hid only the beginning of the 'wreath', then 2 mm of the pattern remained. In this case, play it safe and replace the tires.

The ‘coin’ method is inaccurate and allows you to find out the approximate depth. It is used before passing the inspection or when buying tires with mileage.

Tread wear indicator

Manufacturers today offer tires with special wear indicators. This is a special part of the drawing: it differs in color, shape, size.

On the surface of tires you can find the following indicators:

  • Digital. Numbers of different depths are applied to the tire: 2, 4, 6. If the number 2 has disappeared, the tread has decreased by two millimeters. The numbers disappear gradually during operation. When the largest number disappears, take care of replacing the rubber.
  • Volumetric. The height of such an indicator decreases during the operation of the tires. When its height is equal to the tread, worn tires should be replaced with new ones.
  • Colored. Manufacturers use a multi-colored cord (yellow, red) to indicate a critical mark. The color mark appears when the tire has worn out.

Causes of uneven tread wear

Tires don't always wear evenly. Car owners often face such a problem, and here are its main reasons:

  • Wrong tire pressure

When inflating wheels, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Neglect of this rule will lead to excessive pressure in the tires.

Increased pressure increases noise, increases damage, reduces handling.

If the wheels are poorly inflated, there is a deflection in the central part. Decreased acceleration, increased fuel consumption, increased turning radius.

Under normal pressure, the rubber wears evenly.

  • Out of alignment

When a wheel hits a hole, the wheel alignment is knocked off the pothole. Car owners are not always able to determine this malfunction on their own and in a timely manner. The indicator is - different wear of the tread.

Excessive camber angle (positive or negative) leads to abrasion of the rubber in the shoulder areas. The cover is bevelled. A car with such wheels cannot move in a straight line, and the driver has to constantly tighten the steering rack.

Excessive toe angle (positive or negative) results in a 'knocked down' tread. The drawing is assembled into an accordion, forming a bumpy, rib-like surface.

  • Defective tires and rims

Due to defects in tires or rims, it is impossible to properly balance the wheels. Such a ‘malfunction’ leads to uneven wear, poor handling and vehicle stability.

The first sign of defective rubber is the appearance of shocks, the beating of the steering column.

  • Worn or defective suspension

Suspension condition should be checked annually. Worn parts or failure of this part of the undercarriage of the machine will also lead to uneven tire wear.

How often to change tires

Tires with residual wear of the tread pattern, rubber with cracks and cuts are subject to replacement.

It is important to remember that tires are subject not only to abrasive wear, but also lose their performance under the influence of climatic conditions, exposure to road dust, reagents, and high loads. The result of such influences is a hardened tire covered with microcracks.

Therefore, tires need to be changed every five years. This is the life of the tire, after which it loses technical and performance characteristics, even if the height of the residual tread allows the car to participate in road traffic.

02/11/2020 2020-02-11

Tags: #summer tires #Winter tires #winter studless tires

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When to change tires

  • Repair of damaged tires
  • Replacing a damaged tire
  • When to change tires

Changing tires

Sooner or later all tires wear out or get damaged and need to be replaced.

How quickly this happens depends on various factors, including how you drive, the natural conditions in your area, and how well your tires are cared for.

When do tires need to be changed?

Tires should be checked regularly (at least once a month). The following are signs that indicate the need for tire replacement.

  • Tread Wear Indicators: Most tires have tread wear indicators, these are hard rubber bars that appear on the tire when the tread depth is below the safe driving limit (usually 1.6mm).
  • Uneven wear pattern: The tread should also be inspected for uneven wear patterns that may indicate problems elsewhere.
  • Bulge or bulge on the side of the tire: may cause tire damage and dangerous consequences.
  • Flat tire due to a puncture.
  • Tire has ruptures or other significant damage.
  • There are punctures larger than 0.64 cm on the side or tread. If the punctures are larger than the specified size or the tread is worn to a depth of less than 1. 6 mm, the tire cannot be repaired.

Tips for buying replacement tires

  • Change all four tires at once

This is the best replacement. Excellent handling requires all four tires to be of the same type and size, unless otherwise recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

  • Compliance

When purchasing only two new replacement tires, make sure they are compatible with other tires in use and comply with current legislation and vehicle manufacturer's requirements.

  • Put new tires on the rear axle

Buying only two new tires, put them on the rear wheels for better grip and stability while driving.

  • Radial and non-radial

If tires are to be used simultaneously, fit radial tires on the rear wheels.

  • Never bet

Radial and non-radial tires on one axle at the same time.

  • Various speed indices

It is not recommended to use tires with different speed ratings on the same vehicle.


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