How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?
If you’re wondering how many miles until you should rotate your tires, the general rule of thumb is to have them rotated every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. While that’s a good ground rule, there’s plenty of room for variation. For a definitive recommendation on when to rotate your tires, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If you’re about the why and how of tire rotation, read our handy guide, and then if you think you’re due, explore our service specials and get in touch with the National Auto Plaza service garages in Sandy for help.
When to Rotate Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles
Front-wheel drive means that the engine only sends torque to the front wheels of the car—they’re responsible for steering and propelling your vehicle forward. Rear-wheel drive flips this schematic on its head—your rear wheel lead instead. How often to rotate your tires can vary depending upon which drivetrain your vehicle features. Take a look at the differences in how many miles to rotate tires between each drivetrain, as well as the type of rotation pattern that will need to be performed:
- You’ll want to perform a tire rotation for both FWD and RWD vehicles every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Don’t forget to consult your owner’s manual for exact numbers.
- When performing an FWD rotation, flip sides when moving rear tires. This means that your right rear tire will be moved to the left front position, and your left rear tire will be moved to the front right position. That said, none of this applies when you move your front tires to the back. They’ll remain on their original sides.
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- For RWD, invert the above process. Keep the rear tires on the same side when moving them to the front, and flip sides when moving the front tires to the back.
- AWD (all-wheel drive) vehicles are trickier. Some mechanics recommend a rotation every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but tire wear on an AWD drivetrain is a little less predictable. If it’s been 3,000 miles, take your vehicle into our garage for a look.
Why Rotate Tires?
With information on when to rotate your tires, let’s dive into the why of it. Rotating your tires vastly extends their lifespan and can save you big—especially if you’re driving a truck or SUV. This service also provides a number of other benefits. For one, it improves traction on slippery Draper roads, making you safer. It also reduces outside noise. Uneven tires make your engine work harder to maintain traction, so having your tires rotated can also improve your efficiency.
When It’s Time to Get Your Tires Rotated, Reach Out to National Auto Plaza
Now that you know how many miles you can wait to get your tires rotated, if you have any more questions about how often to rotate your tires, or you think you need to book an appointment near Salt Lake City, give our National Auto Plaza location a call at 801-312-1600 or our Sandy location at 801-545-9292. We’ll make sure you take advantage of any service or parts offers we’re running and set you up for a fast, effective, and affordable appointment. While you’re here, take a moment to explore our service tips for more information about tire care, including our overviews of the different types of winter tires and tips on keeping your tires clean.