Tire Rotations and Proper Inflation Save You Money

Tire services can be some of the most affordable, yet still the most neglected vehicle maintenance services out there. The costs of having these services done can be almost nothing compared to the cost of new tires, repairing the vehicle's suspension, or fixing the alignment. Tire rotation is an important maintenance duty that extends the life of your tires and ensures safe driving. With each turn of the steering wheel, pressure is brought to bear on the front tires. (This is even more accentuated in front-wheel-drive cars, where the front wheels also supply the main motive power for the vehicle.) The way you walk causes a wear pattern to occur on your shoes as you put more weight on certain areas of your feet. The same thing happens with your car. Imagine your tires are the shoe soles of the car. Resistance causes friction, which in turn produces heat. The result according to Edmunds website? The front tires wear quicker than the rears. Because of this, it's necessary to rotate the tires front-to-rear several times during their life cycle to equalize tread wear and maximize the life of the tires. This is what we refer to when we say "rotate the tires." Rotating tires does not mean just exchanging tires to the same axle, like swapping left tires to right, nor criss-crossing tires like moving a tire from the passenger's side rear to the driver's side front. The reason for this is tires develop wear patterns as they age. Some of these patterns are tied to the suspension system and the alignment. That's why we keep the tires on the same side of the car.

Some vehicles have staggered wheels -- the front and rear tires are two different sizes, so you can still swap the tires side-to-side, but not front to back. If your tires are unidirectional (specific to one side of the car) or asymmetrical (the tread pattern changes from the inside of the tire to the outside), you can rotate them front to back but not side to side.

How often should you rotate your tires? That depends. Refer to your owner's manual for exact guidelines, but most manufacturers recommend rotating tires roughly every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Again, see your owner's manual for specifics. Whether you do it yourself or have an auto mechanic do it for you, a good rule of thumb is to do it each time you have your oil changed which is done around those same mileage intervals. Thinking about doing this yourself? Then you will need the appropriate tools and know-how beforehand. An important tool needed for this procedure is a torque wrench. They range in price, but you can get a simple one for under $35. The torque wrench is especially necessary on modern cars with alloy wheels, to avoid over tightening and damage to the wheels. The recommended torque specs can be found in your owner's manual. This is always important to read before doing any vehicle services yourself.

When rotating your tires on your own, which is not recommended for all drivers, follow these directions; Park your car on level pavement. Put the car in "Park" (or in gear, if it's a manual transmission) and set the parking brake firmly. Turn off the engine. Next, decide which side of the car you want to work on first. Now go to the opposite side and block the tires, front and rear. This is a precaution and will prevent the car from moving while you work on it. Use the jack that came with the vehicle. If you use this jack, we recommend safeguarding yourself by using jack stands under both the front and rear axles. This is recommended anytime you are working with a car that is off the ground. Once the car is in the air, position the jack stands under the axle, behind each wheel; then gently lower the weight of the vehicle onto the jack stands. Once the lug nuts are loose, jack up the vehicle and then, if you have jack stands, back down onto the stands. Spin off the lug nuts and put them in a safe place. Remove the front tire, then the rear, and switch their positions, rolling the front tire to the rear, and the rear to the front.

Once the tires are removed, it is also crucial to check the treads. The tread pattern has wear indicators built into it. These are little bumps or nubs manufactured directly into the tread. Inspecting them will tell you how close the tire is to needing replacement. See if you can spot them. They're located throughout the tread pattern, but especially on the ridge where the tread and sidewall meet. Edmunds.com suggests comparing its height to the height of the tread surrounding it. If the tread is wearing to the point where its height is approaching that of the wear indicator, then you may want to discuss new tires with your local mechanic. However, continue to replace the tires and be sure to tighten the lug nuts back to the original specifications.

There are many other reasons why it is important to rotate your tires and things that can affect tire wear. A car's weight dispersion can be a factor, especially if you have a front-wheel drive vehicle. Not only do the tires on these have to endure the steering, braking and accidental bruises from parking but also carry the entire weight of both the engine and the front axle. As found on driverside.com, "There are a lot of things that can wear out tires," says Joel Burrows, Precision Tune Auto Care's Car Doc. "Incorrect tire pressure and uneven alignment can result in tire wear. Also, because of the weight distribution in the car, the front tires can wear out twice as fast as the rear ones." In continuation, your tires will give little warning that the tread is uneven. Considering that there shouldn't be noise emanating from your tires, listen for a humming sound coming from them on smooth roads. That is a good indication it may be time for a rotation.  Burrows advises, "But don't wait until you see uneven wear in your tires.  Once abnormal tire wear occurs it is very difficult to correct even through rotation, although rotating can certainly help some".

Burrows also said, "Safety is definitely an issue if you don't rotate your tires. If you have balder tires on the front, you are at risk of losing control of the steering and getting into an accident." Experts say that by rotating your tires, your vehicle's braking will be more even and therefore more effective. The handling should also be more balanced. You should be able to notice this right away. Evenly worn tires also mean a smoother ride, adding increased traction and even better gas mileage.

Proper tire inflation and pressure is also an important element in the effectiveness of your driving. Next to the brakes, the tires are the most important safety devices on your car. Incorrect tire pressure will compromise cornering, braking and stability. And in the worst-case scenario, improper tire pressure can lead to tire failure — and a serious accident. Incorrect tire pressure also will affect your comfort, fuel economy and tire life. Tire pressure is the amount of air in the tire. Tires support the load of the vehicle, and it is the air in the tire that creates tension and allows the tire to work as a load-carrying device. Under-inflation can cause many tire-related problems. Since a tire's load capacity is largely determined by its inflation pressure, under-inflation results in an overloaded tire. An under-inflated tire operates at high deflection resulting in decreased fuel economy, sluggish handling and may result in excessive mechanical flexing and heat buildup leading to catastrophic tire failure. If tire pressure is too high, then less of the tire touches the ground. As a consequence, your car will bounce around on the road. And when your tires are bouncing instead of firmly planted on the road, traction suffers and so do your stopping distances, according to Car Talk.

Furthermore, it is important to recognize that air pressure is affected by temperature. The air under pressure in a tire is no exception. According to Car Talk, typically, an inflation pressure can change by 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change. Higher temperature means increased pressure. The required service involves checking the tires' pressure with a pressure gauge, at least monthly, if not more frequently. If the specs aren't on any door post, check inside the glove compartment, under the center console cover or in the owner's manual. A lot of people check the pressure listed on the tires themselves, but that's actually the wrong place to look. The number on the tire is the maximum allowable air pressure — not the recommended pressure for that tire when used on your particular vehicle. When you check the tire pressure, remember to check all four tires. Just because three of your tires are at 30 pounds doesn't mean that the fourth tire isn't nearly flat. You should check it when the tire is cold. But cold in this case just means that your tires are at air temperature. Check your tires after your car has been sitting for a few hours.

Another important aspect of tire functionality and maintenance is tire balance and wheel alignment. To avoid vibration or shaking of the vehicle when a tire rotates, the tire must be properly balanced. This balance is achieved by positioning weights on the wheel to counterbalance heavy spots on the wheel-and-tire assembly. A wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so that they are positioned correctly relative to the vehicle's frame. This adjustment maximizes the life of your tires and prevents your car from veering to the right or to the left when driving on a straight level road. These adjustments require special equipment and should be performed by a qualified technician, as stated by one car expert.

Road safety is important with so many vehicles on the roads these days. Maintaining proper tire pressure and observing tire load limits are crucial. It is important not to carry more weight than what is recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer. Avoid road hazards, slow down going over potholes and objects in the road, and protect your tires by inspecting them regularly for tread wear, slashes, or cuts. Tire failure such as tread separation, blowout and flat tires may cause serious accidents. Properly maintained tires are important for optimal steering, stopping, traction and carrying capability of your vehicle. Tire problems can occur when tires are under inflated or when your car is overloaded. Proper tire maintenance should complement other care and maintenance activities. These actions will improve vehicle handling, will protect you and others from crashes and breakdowns. This will be financially beneficial for you because of better fuel economy, and increased tire life. Research your manufacturer's recommendations and make tire rotations and proper inflation part of your routine service intervals and preventative maintenance.