Tire rotation

Why tires wear differently

A rotation moves each tire to a different spot on the car. It matters because each corner does a different job, and the job depends on which wheels drive the car.

• Front-wheel drive: the front tires steer, put the power down and take most of the braking, so they wear fastest.
• Rear-wheel drive: the rear tires push and the front tires steer, so the work is split more evenly, but not equally.
• All-wheel drive: all four drive the car, and some systems are sensitive to tires worn to different depths. Regular rotation keeps them close.

Turning also scrubs the outside shoulders of the front tires. Moving the tires around shares all of that across the set, so the four stay close to each other and you are less likely to be buying two at a time.

How often to rotate

Tire makers commonly suggest rotating every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Your owner's manual has the number for your car, and that is the one to follow.

Also check the tire maker's warranty booklet that came with your tires. Some require rotation on a schedule to keep the coverage valid. A lot of drivers rotate at every oil change because the timing lines up.

Not sure when the last one was? Look at the tread. On a front-wheel-drive car, if the front tires are clearly more worn than the rears, a rotation is past due. Bring it in and we compare all four for you.

Rotation patterns in plain words

• Front to rear: each front tire goes straight back, and each rear tire comes straight forward.
• Crisscross: tires cross to the other side as they change ends. Which way depends on whether the car is front, rear or all-wheel drive.
• Same side only: directional tires have tread made to roll one way, so they move front to back on the same side and never cross.
• Side to side only: staggered setups have wider tires on the back than the front, so they cannot change ends. If they are not directional, they can swap left and right on the same axle.

If a car has both directional and staggered tires, they may not rotate at all. A full-size spare that matches the other four can join the rotation. A small temporary spare stays in the trunk.

What we check during a rotation

• The pressure in each tire, set to the number on your door placard.
• Tread depth on each tire.
• Uneven wear on one edge, in the center, or in patches.
• Nails, cuts and bulges.
• The TPMS light, and whether a sensor needs attention.
• Lug nuts tightened to the carmaker's spec.

Tire sellers suggest balancing at rotation time too, and we can do both on the same visit.

Rotation does not fix alignment

Rotation spreads normal wear. It does not fix the cause of uneven wear. If one edge of a tire is going bald or the car pulls, moving that tire to another corner just moves the problem. The cause is usually alignment, balance or worn suspension parts, and that needs fixing first. If we see it, we show you.

Guide: rotation, balance and vibration

What happens when you come in

1. Walk in any day we are open. No appointment.
2. Tell us the car and anything it is doing: a pull, a shake, a tire that looks lower than the others.
3. We look at the tires. We tell you what it needs and the price before any work starts. No surprise fees.
4. We rotate them in the pattern your car and tires call for and run through the checks above.
5. Pair it with an oil change or a filter swap on the same visit if you want.

Related services and tires

Wheel alignment, with a before and after printout

Oil change

Used tires for cars, SUVs and light trucks