How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Unsure if you’ve been rotating your tires too often or not often enough? You’re not alone! “How often should you rotate your tires?” is one of the most common questions our service department receives from Chapel Hill and Raleigh drivers. As always, our team is here to help clear things up. Most drivers only need to rotate their tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but the precise figure might vary a bit depending on drivetrain, tire type, and driving habits. For a more detailed answer to how often you should rotate your tires, read on to see when to rotate tires on FWD, RWD, and AWD vehicles. 

When to Rotate Tires On FWD and RWD Vehicles

Front-wheel drive (FWD) and rear-wheel drive (RWD) designate where engine power is directed to on a vehicle. So, if a car has FWD, engine power is directed to the front wheels. If a car has RWD, power is directed to the rear wheels. The wheels receiving power will naturally wear out faster than the others, which is why we rotate tires—to combat uneven treadwear. 

If you drive a car with FWD or RWD in Cary, keep the following information in mind:

• Wondering how many miles to rotate tires on FWD and RWD cars? The standard rule applies: every 5,000 – 7,500 miles.
• When rotating tires on a FWD vehicle, you must flip sides when you move the rear tires up front. So, the rear right tire goes to the front left, and the rear left goes to the front right. When you move the front tires to the back, there’s no need to swap their location.
• Similarly, when you rotate tires on a RWD vehicle, the front tires should be flipped when they move to the back, i.e. the front right tire goes to the back left, and the front left tire goes to the back right. The rear tires will remain on the same side when they head to the front. 
• Do you go off-roading or use your vehicle for heavy towing? In this case, how many miles to rotate tires will probably be more frequent. You’re welcome to contact our service team for their expert advice based on your driving habits!

When to Rotate Tires On AWD Vehicles

Driving a vehicle with all-wheel drive (AWD)? How many miles to rotate tires can be quite different for AWD vehicles: approximately 3,000 – 5,000 miles. This is because on an AWD vehicle, engine power is directed to all four wheels, sometimes at varying levels. So, each tire could be experiencing a different rate of wear, making it important to rotate them more frequently. If you’ll be rotating your AWD tires at home, follow the directions below:

1. Move the left rear tire to the front right position 
2. Move the right rear tire to the front left position
3. Move the right front tire to the left rear position
4. Move the left front tire to the right rear position 

What Are the Benefits of Tire Rotation? 

As we noted, tire rotation ensures that all four of your tires wear out at even rates. This helps you get the full lifespan of your tires, but there are other benefits that result from tire rotation:

• Better road grip 
• Less road noise generated as you drive
• Reduced strain on the drivetrain

Schedule a Tire Rotation in Durham

Now that you know how often you should rotate your tires, is your car overdue for this essential service? If so, you can schedule a service visit at Hendrick Cadillac Southpoint! Our certified service experts can complete your tire rotation in a timely manner. Be sure to check out our latest service specials before heading out, as we often provide tire service coupons and rebates when you need a new set!