How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

If you want to keep your Buick, GMC running smoothly around Portland, regular tire rotations should be added to your maintenance schedule. But how often should you rotate your tires to keep them in peak condition? Many automotive experts recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000 – 7,500 miles. However, this rotation schedule can vary depending on the tire type, drivetrain, and even your driving habits. Learn more about how many miles to rotate your tires with Weston Buick GMC, Inc.. Then, contact our service center for more information.

When to Rotate Tires: FWD and RWD Vehicles

Vehicles with front-wheel drive (FWD) have the engine power distributed to the front tires while rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles have power directed to the rear tires. As a result, the tires that receive the power tend to wear out faster than the others. Although you’ll see different types of wear depending on your drivetrain, it’s important to distribute the wear evenly across all four tires no matter which drivetrain you have. Keep these helpful tips in mind when considering how often you should rotate your tires: 

• Generally, a 5,000 – 7,500-mile interval applies to RWD and FWD tire rotation schedules. To confirm the recommended schedule for your model, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
• When performing a tire rotation on a FWD vehicle, the tires should be rotated in the correct pattern: the front tires remain in the same left/right positions and move to the rear of the vehicle. The rear tires move to the front while swapping the left and right sides. 
• Vehicles with RWD have an inverted pattern. Simply move the rear tires forward, keeping the same left and right positions. Then, the front tires will move to the rear, swapping right and left positions. 
• Driving behavior is one factor that affects how many miles you need to rotate tires. If you’re frequently found on trails around Vancouver, WA or do consistent high-mileage driving, your tires will wear out faster.

When to Rotate Tires: AWD Vehicles

All-wheel drive vehicles have a slightly different rotation schedule since power is directed to all four tires. While power is distributed evenly, road conditions around Oregon City can affect wear rates for individual tires. For this reason, it’s recommended that you rotate your tires on AWD vehicles every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Again, your vehicle’s owner’s manual has model-specific recommendations. 

Importance of Tire Rotations

If you’re looking to save money in the long run, routine tire rotations can help ensure your tires last as long as they are intended to. It’s easy to let tire rotation service slip your mind, but following the recommended schedule adds a few benefits to your drives around Portland:

• Optimal traction when the roads are slick or uneven
• Less road noise
• Relief of unnecessary strain on the drivetrain

On top of knowing how many miles to rotate your tires, you should also know and maintain proper tire pressure. Once the TPMS light warns you of low tire pressure, be sure to refill the tires to prevent rapid or uneven tire wear. 

Schedule Tire Service with Weston Buick GMC, Inc.! 

Now that you know how often you should rotate your tires, be sure to schedule service with Weston Buick GMC, Inc. to keep your tires in good condition. When it’s time for service, our available service specials can help keep your routine maintenance budget-friendly!