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If you’re someone who does weightlifting, you know that you cannot skip leg day. Legs are the foundation for the rest of your body, so skimping on working out those muscles can lead to long-term problems, ranging from posture issues to injuries; the wheels on a car act much the same. If your wheels are not taken care of, your ride will not feel as smooth, and the risk of an accident will skyrocket.
When people come to our tire rotation service center and ask how often they should rotate their tires, we tell them that it is every six months. Some drivers are surprised, thinking it could be done far less; that is not the case. If your tires are not aligned, flats and blowouts can occur. We also suggest you get an alignment every time you rotate your tires, too, as it makes you less likely to forget. The more you spread out car maintenance, the more likely one piece will slip through the cracks of your schedule.
When considering all the regular services your car needs, it’s often easy to forget the importance of your tires. For whatever reason, tire care has not taken hold like oil changes and engine checks have. We’ve seen firsthand how better tire care can improve our customers’ driving experiences, and we’ve seen how a lack of care can cause catastrophes, so we want to walk you through just why tire rotation and tire alignment should be on your mind when you’re giving your ride some tender love and care.
What Is a Tire Rotation?
On the one hand, this is pretty simple: it’s when you rotate tire placement; a tire in the front gets moved to the back and vice versa. Yet, tire rotation’s simplicity is one reason why it’s not taken that seriously. Can switching tire placement really be that important? Absolutely! Tires are exceptionally important. While automobiles today come with some impressive safety measures, the state of your tires is one of the top deciding factors in whether you get into an accident. Tires that have gone through too much wear and tear will not deal with braking as well, especially at a short distance, and will be more likely to have a flat or, in the worst-case scenario, a blowout.
By rotating your tires, you’ll take some strain off the front ones by placing them in the rear and allowing the rear tires to get a workout. The only other option you have is buying a new set of tires, but we’re sure you would want to make that your last option. Tire rotation makes your drive safer and less expensive. It’s a simple operation, and far too many drivers don’t do it, putting both their health and wallets at risk.
A common misconception we see is that a vehicle with all-wheel drive doesn’t need rotation. This is not true. While the wheels may be more evenly used with all-wheel drive, the front pair still see more use than the rear ones. Tire rotation will remain essential for any vehicle with all-wheel drive. Do not let that term talk you out of appropriate tire care. Both your own health and the health of your tires demand a rotation, no matter your vehicle’s designation.
How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?
Generally, it’s suggested that you rotate your tires every 3000 to 5000 miles. That’s a wide range, though, and we’re not sure it’s too helpful to go by that. We like the idea of doing it every six months when you do an oil change. However, the type of driving you’re doing should also play a role. If you drive across rougher terrain than you usually do, it might be wise to rotate the tires.
Another benefit of tire rotation is that it gives technicians a chance to examine your tires for any other flaws. If there’s unusual wear or tear on a tire, a trained technician will notice and be able to alert you. Together, you can decide on a plan of action to rectify the issue. Tire rotation is only part of tire maintenance, so don’t think your job is over once your tires are rotated. You also need to take tire alignment into account.
What Is a Tire Alignment?
Tire alignment is just as essential as a tire rotation. Sadly, tire alignment seems to be taken even less seriously than tire rotation. Likely this is because it’s more obvious to the naked eye if there’s a problem with a tire (don’t assume you can spot all issues yourself), while tire alignment is more about the suspension system that links the wheels together. Since that’s under the vehicle, it might be harder to spot any potential challenges.
When you have an alignment done, a technician will make sure the suspension is evenly distributed, not putting too much pressure on one tire or forcing one side of the vehicle to do more of the heavy lifting. Your tires may be in fine shape, but if the suspension is not aligned, they will receive undue pressure on the road even if they’ve been rotated. If you don’t align your tires, you can run into serious problems. Your vehicle may be inclined to steer right or left without your intention. If you notice your vehicle is veering out of a lane without your prompting, the issue likely arises from poor alignment.
Alignment problems can affect your steering wheel, as well. If your steering wheel moves without your hand turning it or if your steering wheel starts to shake, then tire alignment is probably the culprit. The best outcome with alignment is not to have an issue, to begin with, because alignment problems can be extremely dangerous. The dangerous part is obvious enough: drifting to the side is an invitation for an accident. But even if the alignment issue is not that bad, it can still be scary to feel like your vehicle is even slightly out of your control or that your steering wheel is shaking, and a scared driver is a driver that is a risk to themselves and others. Therefore, having your tires regularly aligned is the right move, so you never have a problem to begin with.
Our Tire Rotation Center Has You Covered
Here at Spirit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our service center is packed with knowledgeable, enthusiastic technicians who want to ensure that every inch of your vehicle runs smoothly. You can make an appointment right online to come in and have your tires examined. In addition to rotation and alignment, we offer many other services and are always happy to answer any question you have. We know that cars seem to have an infinite amount of things that need to be inspected, and we can guide you through that process with ease. There’s no reason car ownership needs to be a headache for you.
When you come by our service center, not only will your vehicle be treated well, you’ll be in the hands of technicians who want to make the experience as smooth and quick as possible. Make your appointment with us today to ensure your tires and suspension are in great condition so you can drive with total confidence knowing that your tires are in the best working condition.
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