What is a Tyre Rotation - How Often Should You Rotate Vehicle's Tires
No doubt that the tires are a very critical component of your car. No matter how superb your vehicle is, if the tires are not up to the mark, your driving experience will not be a pleasant one. Therefore, any car enthusiast or professional will stress upon buying a good set of tires from authorized dealers. The right set of tires will amplify your car’s performance ability.
But, today, the purpose is not to talk about the importance of tires or making a comparison between different tyre manufacturers. This article will inform readers about the concept of tire rotation. Many of you will already know what tyre rotation is and how important it is to your driving experience. For those of you that do not know, keep reading the article.
Tyre Rotation Defined
Tyre rotation is the act of moving your tires from one location on your car to another. For example, if a tyre is mounted on the back, it must be moved to the front. Likewise, a front mounted tire will be moved to the back of the car.
Typically, the sides of the tires also change when changing the locations. In other words, the tire mounted on the front left side will be mounted on the right back side of the car. Usually, only one set of tires change the sides, while others remain on the same side. Nevertheless, the proper tire rotation pattern is dependent on your car drivetrain, and more information is provided in the car manual.
When Should the Tires Be Rotated?
The tire rotation frequency is dependent on the car, the type of tyres and road conditions. However, experts recommend that the tyres must be rotated after 8,000 - 11,000 kilometres.Otherwise, you are likely to suffer from irregular tread wear and low car performance. Now, many of you are wondering the logic behind rotating the tyres on your vehicle.
Importance of Rotating Your Car Tyres
Unlike various car myths, rotating your car tyres is not a myth but a proven fact that provides tremendous benefits. For one, by rotating your tires, you can easily extend the life of your tires. The life is extended because by rotating your tires, the tires wear out evenly. By extending the life of your tires, you can easily save money on buying new tires.
Tire rotation cost is very low as compared to buying a new set of tires. In the UAE, depending on the workshop, the cost of tire rotation is typically between 70 AED to 120 AED. Some workshops offer tire rotation and balancing at the same cost. Another reason to rotate the tires is that it provides improved handling.
Consider a front-wheel drive car. If the tires are not rotated, the front tires will wear out quicker than the rear tires. It will cause the car to lose grip, especially on wet surfaces, making handling increasingly tricky. Some tire manufacturers require that the tires be rotated regularly. If you do not rotate the tires, it can void the warranty.
By now, you understand what tire rotation is and why it is crucial.The following paragraphs will discuss different types of drivetrains and the proper tire rotation procedure for each of them.
Front-Wheel Drive
In a front-wheel drive (FWD), the front tires are the ones doing the most work. They handle the steering and are responsible for transferring power to the road. Naturally, the front-end tires on anFWD wear out quicker than the rear tyres.
The recommended tire rotation of FWDis done by moving the front tires to the rear and the rear tires to the front. Also, when moving the rear tyres to the front, the place of the tyres should also be changed, i.e. rear right tire must be mounted at the front left side. Likewise, the rear left tire must be mounted on the front right side.
Rear-Wheel Drive
In a rear-wheel-drive (RWD), the rear tires provide the power, while the front tires handle the steering. In anRWD, the opposite of FWDis done. The right front tire is placed at the left rear side. Similarly, the left front tire is placed on the rear right side.
All-Wheel Drive
A common misconception that people have is that all-wheel drive (AWD) cars do not require tire rotation. They argue that in an AWD, all tires wear out equally. However, it is a big misconception. Having anAWD does not mean that all the tires are being all the time. Depending on the road conditions and the drive mode, a modern car will shift power between the front and rear wheels.
Therefore, the tires do tend to wear out unevenly, making tire rotation in an AWD car equally crucial as an RWD or FWD. The tire rotation pattern in an AWDis made by crisscrossing all four tires.The front tires come to the back, and the rear tires go the front. Tires on the left side will be mounted on the right side. Likewise, tires on the right side are mounted at the left side.
Staggered + Unidirectional Tires
Some cars have a different tire size on the rear and a different size on the front. These are called staggered wheels. Likewise, some cars have unidirectional tires, i.e. the tires turn in only one direction. The tire rotation and balancing the cost of such tires is higher than the cost of normal FWD, RWD, and AWD cars. In many cases, the cost and time taken are not worth rotating the tires.
Conclusion
Rotating your tires is vital for your car's performance and the durability of your tires. Therefore, ensure that you are regularly rotating your tires. For more detailed information, consult the owner manual of your car or consult a professional that is familiar with your car.