Gordon CDJR - Tire Rotation Services

Why is rotating your tires important? Tires are one of the most important safety features on any vehicle and must be in good condition to ensure proper braking and turning performance. Tire rotation is a great way to keep cars safe, save money on vehicle maintenance and help critical car parts last longer. But did you realize that tires must be rotated in specific patterns? Do you know the difference between directional and nondirectional tires? And how do you rotate the tires on a dual rear wheel pickup truck?

At Gordon CDJR, we have the tools and expertise to make sure your tire rotation is a success. We can handle tire rotations on most cars, trucks and SUVs, even those with directional tires or dual rear wheel setups. We can also perform related services such as alignments and tire changes. Contact us for details.

Do I need my tires rotated?

The vast majority of passenger vehicles benefit from regular tire rotation. Rotating your tires helps them wear evenly and extends their lifespan. Tire rotation also allows drivers to go longer between paying for full tire replacements.

Tire rotation is important because not all tires receive the same amount of stress. The front and rear axles of a vehicle serve different functions and are set up in different ways. Even if a vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned, tire wear will differ between the right and left sides of the same axle, as well as between the front and back axles.

These uneven wear patterns mean that when not rotated, tires will end their lives and need to be replaced at different times. Yet tires on the same axle, and preferably across the car, should be replaced at the same time for safety reasons. Thus, drivers who do not rotate their tires will have to replace two, or potentially all four tires, when the others still have life left. Tire rotation lets drivers wait longer between tire replacements, and keeps drivers from wasting money by replacing still usable tires.

When should my tires be rotated?

So how do I know when to rotate my tires? Most cars specify in their owner’s manual when the tires should be rotated. If this information is not provided, Gordon CDJR recommends that owners bring their vehicles in for a tire rotation every 5,000 miles or so.

If any tires are differently sized (including the spare) or are high-performance directional tires, rotation may not be recommended. A competent mechanic can best advise on proper tire management in these cases.

What is the right way to rotate my tires?

Tires must be rotated in a specific pattern to achieve best results. Most cars, SUVs and small trucks have four to six non-directional tires all of the same size. In this situation, the following patterns are preferred:

• Forward Cross Pattern: In the forward cross pattern, the vehicle’s rear tires move to the front axle, with the left rear tire moving to the right front position and the right rear tire going to the left front. The tires initially in the front move straight back to their corresponding position on the rear axle. This pattern is used on front-wheel drive vehicles.
• Rearward Cross Pattern: The rear tires move up to their corresponding position on the front axle. The front tires move to the back axle, switching to the opposite side of the car. This pattern is recommended for rear-wheel drive vehicles.
• X-Pattern: What if both axles are powered drive axles? On cars, trucks and SUVs with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems, each tire moves to the opposite axle while switching to the other side of the vehicle

In short, tires rotate so that the tires leaving the powered drive axle move straight up or back, staying on the same side of the car. The tires going onto the drive axle switch positions.

Should I rotate my tires on my truck?

Trucks with a dual rear wheel setup should also have regular tire rotations. On trucks with dual rear wheels, when the tires are non-directional and all the same size, the preferred rotation pattern is a triangle. The outer tire switches to the inside of the rear axle, while the inner tire moves up to the front axle. The tire originally on the front axle becomes the new outside rear tire.

Vehicles equipped with a full-sized spare tire should have the extra tire incorporated in the rotation pattern. The tire that would normally become the right rear tire becomes the new spare. This is especially important on four-wheel drive vehicles, as using a fresh spare tire with three worn tires can stress the drivetrain components.

For all drivers, the best way to rotate the tires on one’s vehicle is to take it to a mechanic. Trained mechanics can ensure that the tires are rotated properly and safely. Mechanics can also check the tires for leaks, gaps or other signs of damage which may require the tires to be replaced ahead of schedule. And while the car is in the shop for a tire rotation, a mechanic can also perform an alignment and inspect the vehicle for any further problems.

Conclusion

Tire rotation is a critical part of proper vehicle maintenance. Tires normally experience uneven tread wear throughout normal operation, which can be both costly and dangerous if not combatted. Proper tire rotation helps ensure that tires wear evenly, extends tire life and helps drivers save money.

At Gordon CDJR, we are proud to help Springboro, OH, drivers with their vehicle-related needs. Our extensive selection of new, used and certified pre-owned high-quality vehicles provides Chillicothe, OH, drivers with a wide array of options. Our finance professionals are dedicated to finding drivers affordable solutions. And our friendly, capable service professionals have the tools and expertise needed to keep your car on the road. So visit us today at 1120 Clinton Avenue in Washington Court House, OH, or call us at (740) 335-3700 to Experience a Different Kind of Dealership…Where EVERYONE Cares!