Your tires require routine maintenance to maximize their mileage, and we’re not just talking about checking air pressure and shining up the sidewalls. Tire rotation is an often ignored but integral part of tire care.
What is tire rotation?
In this case, we’re not talking about the tires simply rotating forward or backward on the road. Tire rotation means that we take the wheels off your vehicle at regular intervals and change their position.
There’s more to rotating tires than simply moving them from one side of the car to the other, as there are specific patterns to be followed depending on whether your vehicle is a front-wheel drive vehicle, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive/4-wheel drive. Tire rotation pattern also depends on whether your tires are directional or not and if you have staggered sizes (different tire sizes on the front versus rear axles).
The most common rotation patterns most people think of are X-pattern, front-to-rear, or side-to-side. There’s also forward-cross, which is moving the front tires to back on the same side while the rear tires get moved to opposite corners at the front. Rearward-cross is similar but in reverse, obviously.
What are the benefits of tire rotation?
The main reason most people rotate their tires is to avoid uneven wear on their tires and benefit from even tire wear. By following the proper rotation pattern for your vehicle, you’ll ensure even tire wear, and that means you’ll get the most mileage possible from your tires. It also means you’ll maintain your new-tire warranty.
Tread life isn’t the only reason to rotate tires, though. There are also safety and performance advantages of rotating your tires on schedule. Performance in wet conditions and braking performance are maximized with even tire wear, and tire rotation gives your mobile tire technician a chance to check the overall wear and condition of your tires.
What tire rotation pattern should I use?
As a basic rule of thumb, your best bet is to follow your owner’s manual. Below are the most common rotation guidelines.
Front-wheel drive —> Forward-cross or X-pattern
Rear-wheel drive —> Rearward-cross
All-wheel drive (or 4WD) —> Rearward-cross
Directional tires —> Front-to-rear
Staggered sizes —> Side-to-side
Again, it’s best to follow your owner’s manual unless you’ve changed to directional tires or gone to aftermarket staggered wheel and tire sizes.
Luckily, Zohr takes out all the guesswork about tire rotation pattern as well as the time and effort involved to do it yourself. Instead of taking your car into a shop, contact Zohr online or call/text us at 816-800-9175 to set an appointment to have your tires rotated at your home, business, or just about anywhere you are.
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