Effective Tire Rotation should be done every 3,000 – 6,000 kilometers or with every oil change.
WHAT IT DOES
Rotating your tires is vital for helping your tires last longer. Rotating your tires suggests changing them from one side of the automobile to the other, relocating them from front to back or a blend of both, depending on your vehicle and what was done previously. Some tires have to be rotated at specific periods, while others will have to be rotated depending on the wear.
Why service is essential: Unequal tire wear could lead to unsatisfactory performance, poor fuel economy, shorten the life of the tire and can easily cause safety issues.
CALL US TODAY: 613-695-8866
Having your tires rotated regularly is essential to ensure you’re getting the most mileage out of each one of them. Not to mention the benefits it has for fuel consumption, handling, and the overall safety of your vehicle.
However, many first-time customers are entirely unaware of the frequency with which they should be having their tires rotated. The general guideline is essentially every three to six thousand kilometres, which translates to approximately every time you have your oil changed. While this may vary somewhat from car to car, your owner’s manual can provide more specific details for your make and model.
If you find yourself wondering why you need to rotate your tires at all, you’re not alone. We’ve had customers who suggest that their tires are ‘rotating’ all the time. Why should they need to have this professionally done at the garage?
The truth is that each tire on your car wears at a different rate. The two front tires have to support the engine, transmission, and most of the heaviest components in the vehicle. That, and they also have to manage all the turning and are responsible for most of the breaking. And, with traffic in Canada being on the right-hand side, a good portion of the onramps curve to the right as well. What this means is that the left-hand front tire actually travels a greater distance than the right one, over time.
Of course, unequal tire wear can be caused by many different factors. Road construction, potholes, underinflated tires, or even misaligned wheels can cause each tire on your car to wear differently. By having your tires rotated at consistent intervals, not only do you help correct this, but you also benefit by having your tires and wheels inspected. If there is an impending problem, we want to catch it at the shop, so you don’t have to deal with it on the road.
At Sipan Tire and Rims, we view tire rotation as a five-point inspection process.
- Tires are rotated in alternating patterns
- Each tire is examined for overall quality and safety
- The tire tread is inspected for the remaining lifespan
- Each tire is gauged for adequate inflation
- And, each of the lug nuts is snugged to the right tightness
Not unexpectedly, with four wheels, there are a few different ways your tires can be rotated. Assuming they are all uniform size and non-directional. We call the different patterns the Rearward Cross, the X Pattern, and the Forward Cross. Which one we use on your vehicle depends on a few things.
THE REARWARD CROSS
We tend to use this pattern on four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive vehicles. The front two tires are moved back to the opposite sides of the back axle, and the rear tires are moved forward but kept on the same side.
THE X PATTERN
This pattern is usually for front-wheel-drive trucks and occasionally for some larger front-wheel-drive sedans. In this case, all four tires are moved diagonally. The two front wheels go back to opposite sides, and the two back wheels come forward, again to opposite sides.
THE FORWARD CROSS
We use this pattern for most front-wheel-drive vehicles. For this arrangement, the back wheels are moved up diagonally to the opposite side of the front axle. Both front tires are then moved directly back to the same position on the back axle.
It’s also critical to remember that if you have a full-size spare, it needs to be worked into the rotation. The patterns are pretty similar, with some slight adjustments. One of our tire specialists can walk you through the process.
It’s also important to note that if you’re running different sized performance tires on the front and back, they can only be swapped side to side. Likewise, if you’ve purchased directional tires with tread patterns that can only run one way, they have to be traded front to back on the same side. Although, our tire experts will be able to help you through all the intricacies of caring for either of these special tire situations.
PROPER TIRE ROTATION IN OTTAWA, ON
Many factors can cause unequal tire wear:
- Strenuous driving routines, stop and go city traffic, road construction, etc. Bumpy surface and pot holes
- Under inflated tires
- Worn Shocks
- Unaligned wheels
- Worn elements
- Not rotating your tires
SIPAN TIRES AND RIMS OFFERS QUALITY TIRE ROTATION IN OTTAWA, ON
To find out when your tires should be rotated, consult your vehicle’s owner’s handbook or ask one of our auto mechanic – tire professionals today. Come see our specialists for your tire rotation in Ottawa, ON today!
