Why Rotate the Tires On Your Car?

You know that regular tire rotations are a part of your vehicle’s maintenance routine, but have you ever stopped to wonder why we rotate the tires on our cars? What does rotating your tires do, exactly? Simply put, tires wear out at uneven rates as you drive through North Charleston each day. Why we rotate tires is to prevent any single tire from losing its tread before the other three. Learn all the ins and outs of tire rotation with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, below!

How Your Car’s Drivetrain Affects Tire Rotation

Each time you accelerate, hit the brakes, or turn a corner in Mount Pleasant, you’re creating friction between your tires and the road surface below. Your tire treads start to wear out as a result, but depending on your car’s drivetrain, the treads will wear at varying rates.

• Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): The front wheels receive the bulk of the engine power, and are also responsible for steering, starting, and most of the braking force. Thus, on a FWD car, the front tires wear out the fastest.
• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): The rear wheels receive the engine power, but the front wheels remain responsible for steering and braking. The rear tires will still show more wear than the front tires, but it will happen at a slower rate.
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD): Engine power is directed to all four wheels, so all four tires should wear out at a near-equal rate. However, some experts insist that the rear tires still wear out the fastest on an AWD vehicle.

How Often to Rotate Tires

You should rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or about every six months. Depending on your driving habits, however, you may need to rotate tires more often. For an exact mileage interval made for your specific vehicle, it’s best to consult your owner’s manual.

Why Rotate Tires – What Happens if You Don’t Rotate Them?

We’ve answered “what does rotating your tires do?”, but what would happen if you didn’t rotate them? For starters, your traction on James Island roads would suffer. But that’s only the beginning of the problems you could experience:

• Reduced traction leading to skidding and slipping on wet roads
• Your brake pads may wear out faster
• Flat tires and dangerous blowouts

Keep Up with Tire Rotations at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet

Now you know why you need to rotate tires and how often to rotate tires – if your car is overdue for rotation, schedule service with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet’s service department. We offer ongoing service specials that often include tire service coupons, so you can keep this essential maintenance budget-friendly.