Some people don’t understand why they need to regularly rotate their tires. We recommend having it done every 6,000 – 8,000 miles. which on newer model cars means in conjunction with your oil change. You will benefit in three ways when you rotate your tires regularly.
Wear
The main reason you should get your tires rotated regularly is because tires wear at a different rate depending where they are on the car and if your car is front, rear, or four-wheel drive. If you never rotate your tires, you’ll notice that the outside of the front wheels lose their tread faster than the rest of the tire. This is because the tire leans slightly when you turn a corner.
Traction
With the often wet roads, having good traction will help you avoid an accident. When tires aren’t rotated and wear unevenly, you may lose traction on wet roads. You want the entire tire to have contact with the surface and proper tire pressure and rotation helps ensure this.
Warranty
If you make a claim on one or more of your tires, the manufacturer may ask for the rotation records. They warranty their tires based on proper rotation and balance. When your tire fails and you haven’t followed their recommendations, they may not honor your warranty claim.
What About Balance and Alignment?
Many times, a tire rotation service company will ask you if you want a rotate and balance service. You should also get them balanced at every rotation service in order to have the smoothest ride. The balance is done while the tire is off the car. The more a tire’s tread wears, the more important the balance becomes. As for alignment, you shouldn’t need to do this as often. Most manufacturers recommend an alignment every 10,000 miles, so approximately every other time you have a tire rotation and balance. If you notice your car is pulling to one side, you may need an alignment sooner.
Oldsmar Automotive will always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on all services. If you’re unsure if you need a rotation, balance, and alignment, stop in and talk to our service technicians. They’ll help get you set on a regular maintenance schedule which will help your tires, and car, last for years. Stop by our shop at 3166 Tampa Road in Oldsmar or schedule an appointment on line or by calling (727) 784-3501.
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