Regular vehicle maintenance is a very essential part of car ownership. Most car owners know how important it is to get their oil changed and replace their filters, but what about tire rotation? Tires are among the most important part of your vehicle simply because they are the only parts that come in contact with the road. Ignoring tire rotation is something you do not want to risk, as it can cause issues for not only your tires, but your vehicle as well.
The Importance of Tire Rotation and Alignment
At Metric Motors, tire rotation and alignment is something we often recommend to customers as a part of vehicle maintenance. A tire rotation is simply moving around the tires on a vehicle to ensure that they wear evenly. For instance, the front tires will be moved to the rear of the vehicle, and the rear tires will be switched to the front. In this blog, we are going to review some reasons why regular tire rotation is important.
Tread Wears Evenly
Every vehicle has four wheels. While it may seem like they carry the same weight across them, they will actually wear unevenly. The pattern that your tires wear in depends on the configuration of your vehicle as well as the surface you regularly drive on. Vehicles that have front-wheel and all-wheel drive and prioritize the front axle shifts most of the weight to the front of the car. Oppositely, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive that prioritizes the rear axle will shift most of the weight to the rear of the vehicle.
The best way to avoid uneven wear on your tires is to get your tires rotated. A tire rotation service will switch around your vehicle’s tires to more evenly spread the load so that one set doesn’t wear out completely before the rest.
Improved Efficiency
Worn down tires can cause your vehicle to work harder than usual to when speeding up. The tread on your vehicle’s tires is what grips the road and enables your car to gain momentum and speed. Without proper traction or grip, your vehicle will have to place extra stress on your axle and tires to get going. When your car is working harder, it is using more gas, therefore decreasing its efficiency.
Saves Money
Let’s face it, tires can be expensive, especially when all four need to be replaced at once. When you need to replace your tires frequently, it can have a significant impact on your budget. Regular tire rotations will help extend the road life of your car’s tires and help prevent wear and tear that often leads to costly repairs. Allowing your tires to wear down will put extra stress on other parts and components of your vehicle, including the axle and transmission. To avoid problems like this, its best to get your tires rotated just about as often as you get your oil changed.
Allows More Control
Having control when driving is not only important for your safety, but also for any passengers in your vehicle and other drivers on the road. When your vehicle’s tires wear unevenly, you may feel like you do not have as much control over your vehicle as you would with newer tires. For instance, turning or stopping may be more difficult. Often times these changes are near imperceptible but can still lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Improved Safety
Safety should always be a drivers main priority. As previously mentioned, uneven wear on your vehicle’s tires often leads to unpredictable driving, which is a big safety hazard. Additionally, uneven wear can cause other major issues such as a blown out tire. In heavy traffic, this can be a danger to both yourself as well as those around you.
Your tires should be rotated between every 3,000 and 7,000 miles that you drive your car for maximum benefit, or every other oil change. When you want your car to perform and handle well on the road without a problem, it is wise to get your tires rotated on a regular schedule. If you are due for a tire rotation, contact the professionals at Metric Motor to schedule an appointment. Our professional auto mechanics will ensure that your tires are properly switched to ensure safe driving. Contact us to learn more.
