How Often to Rotate Your Tires

You should schedule a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles of driving, in general. However, this metric varies with the type of vehicle you drive and the conditions you drive it in. With winter and mountain conditions in our Boulder area, you may want to schedule a check-up more often than that to see if you need a rotation. At Fisher Honda, we’ll perform an inspection to see if you’re due for a rotation and get your tires fixed up so you can stay safe on the road. Tires need a rotation when the tread variance exceeds 2/32 of an inch — read on to learn more variables that influence how often you should get your tires rotated.

Tire Rotations in FWD Vehicles vs. RWD Vehicles

Front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles differ in where the engine sends its power. Front-wheel drive cars send it to the front tires, while rear-wheel drive cars it send it to the rear tires. This influences tire rotations because the set of tires getting the bulk of the engine power will wear faster than the others.

How Often to Rotate Tires in FWD Vehicles and RWD Vehicles

Tire rotation needs to be performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles for both FWD and RWD vehicles. However, again, this will vary slightly with your driving habits and driving conditions. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for exact figures. Talk with the service experts at Fisher Honda to get a better idea of a maintenance schedule that fits your driving habits.

Performing FWD Tire Rotation

If you’re a committed DIY-er and performing a FWD tire rotation yourself, flip sides when moving the rear tires to the front. For example, the rear right tire will go on the front left. When moving the front tires to the back, keep them on the same side.

Performing RWD Tire Rotation

If you’re rotating the tires on a RWD car, invert the process above. Change sides when moving the front tires to the back, but keep the rear tires on the same side when you move them forward.

All-Wheel Drive Tire Rotation

With AWD vehicles, each tire wears differently and at different speeds. At the very least, you should schedule tire rotation every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for an AWD vehicle. Always check your owner’s manual for exact numbers for your specific vehicle, though.

Why Tire Rotations are Important

Tire rotation extends the life of your tires, of course, but regular tire rotation gives your vehicle additional benefits:

• Improved traction on slippery and hilly roads
• Less noise on the road
• Relieves unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

More from Fisher Honda

For any information regarding tire care, contact us today. Our certified technicians are always standing by to help answer your questions regarding all of your regular Honda maintenance, including oil changes and spark plug replacement.

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