Tire Rotation

Tire rotation is the process of changing the tires’ positions on a vehicle to prolong their lifespan and increase the safety of the car. It’s done periodically and when there is a significant change in the lifespan of the tires. While this process may seem simple, there are a variety of different rotation patterns used for different vehicles depending on a variety of circumstances.

Understanding What Tire Rotation Even Is

Many Iowans have questions about rotating tires. Below, we’ll cover some of the most relevant questions about rotating tires while talking a bit about how it’s done. Feel free to comb through it all or scroll down to only what you’re curious about; the choice is up to you!

Why Should I Rotate My Tires?

Tires are rotated so that the tires wear evenly over time. Regular rotations save you money by prolonging the lifespan of your tires, but it also keeps you safer too. Tire rotation ensures that you’re not driving on bare tires that don’t have the grip necessary for road safety. Tire rotation can improve braking performance as a result of this extra grip.

When Should I Rotate My Tires?

While it is generally recommended that you rotate tires every 6,000-8,000 miles, these numbers don’t do you any good if you don’t remember the last time you had it done. You or your mechanic can look for signs of uneven tread wear by checking the tread depth and determining if the tires would wear better in a different location. If you’re noticing that one side of the tire is more worn than another, it’s probably time for your next tire rotation.

My Tires Come With Instructions on When to Rotate. Should I Follow Those?

While many may talk about the tire industry just trying to drum up business for tire shops, it’s a good idea to take this seriously if you have that information. Tire makers have a good idea of how durable their tires will be under normal conditions, which can put you in the shop for a tire rotation before your tires become unsafe to drive or start to wear on your brakes. It never hurts to rotate your tires too early, but it could always hurt if you don’t rotate them soon enough.

Is Tire Rotation Different for Front, Rear, and Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles?

The drivetrain of a vehicle largely determines the way that the tires will wear. As a result, different tire rotation patterns account for these differences in wear. Below, we’ll detail how these differences shake out with different drivetrains on the market with the correct tire rotation pattern for the right drivetrain.

Front Wheel Drive Vehicles

For front-wheel drive vehicles, both the x-pattern and the forward cross pattern can be used. The forward cross involves, for example, taking the tire in the right rear position and making it the new left front tire, doing the opposite with the other side, and moving the front tires to the back of the vehicle in the same position on the front and rear axles. The x-pattern, also used here, is described below.

Rear and Four Wheel Drive Vehicles

Rear-wheel drive vehicles behave the same as their four-wheel drive counterparts with respect to tire rotations. The tire rotation patterns that can be used for these vehicles are the rearward cross and the x-pattern. The rearward cross pattern works by bringing the rear axle tires forward and crossing the front axle tires to the back. The x-pattern involves switching the side of each tire and moving them from back to front as well as front to back.

What Happens in Tire Rotation if I Have a Spare Tire?

If your spare tire is not a temporary spare, it can be included in your tire rotation as part of a five-tire rotation. This can keep the lifespan of your tires going even longer than if you didn’t have it by giving one of the tires a rest. Both the forward and rearward cross patterns are able to be adapted for the five-tire rotation.

What if My Vehicle Has Dual Rear Wheels?

If you’re driving a dually, these four and five-tire rotations won’t fit with your car or truck; You’ll need a six-tire rotation. These can come in a variety of different patterns, many of which involve trading the tires along the front axle from side to side. Uneven wear can be managed easily by your trusted mechanics, like ours at Deery of Ames, who rotate the tires flawlessly every time.

Is Tire Rotation Different for Performance Cars?

If your performance vehicle has non-directional tires, then you’re all set! You can follow the same tire rotation patterns that are consistent with the drivetrain of your car. However, if your vehicle has same-size directional wheels with directional tires or has differently-sized directional wheels, the tire rotation patterns can differ. Differently sized wheels in the front than in the back require a side-to-side tire rotation pattern. However, if you’re using directional tires, you’ll want to do a front-to-back tire rotation pattern.

Deery of Ames: Your Ames Tire Rotation Headquarters

At Deery of Ames, we’re here to make all of your auto care dreams a reality. From preventative maintenance like tire rotation to larger fixes and more, we’re here to help. Our expert technicians will be with you every step of the way and are always happy to explain how and why specific processes are done or needed.

Deery of Ames is more than just a dealership. Our mechanics are trained and ready for anything you throw at us. That’s what it means to us to be a full-service auto dealership. We’re with you every step of the way, from financing through sales and ownership.

We’re always around for our customers. We couldn’t be more proud to serve the Ames area. Feel free to schedule an appointment whenever you need it!