How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

How often should you rotate your tires to maintain the best performance possible? Most Detroit drivers should schedule a tire service appointment around 5,000 to 8,000 miles on average, but when to rotate tires can differ quite a bit from person to person. Learn how you can determine the best schedule your driving habits and vehicle, and don’t hesitate to drop by our service department at Ray Laethem Buick GMC, Inc. for all of your automotive needs!

Rotating Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles

Not sure how many miles to rotate tires for your two-wheel drive model in Farmington Hills? Front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles both send power to one set of wheels, rather than all four wheels. In a front-wheel drive (FWD) model, your front set of wheels receives the engine power, while in a rear-wheel drive (RWD) model, the back tires receive the power. That means one set of tires will receive more wear and tear than the others, which is one reason tire rotations are so important. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Both FWD and RWD vehicles typically require a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Check your owner’s manual for details on when to rotate your tires.
• Want to complete your own FWD tire rotation? You’ll need to move the rear tires directly forward, and then move the front tires to to the rear axles – switching the tires to opposite sides in the process.
• What about a RWD tire rotation? You’ll need to move the front tires directly to the back axles, and then move the rear tires to to the front axles – switching the tires to opposite sides in the process.

If you perform activities with heavier wear and tear, like towing and off-roading, you’ll want to schedule your tire rotations a little earlier for the best performance. Our service experts can help you determine a good maintenance schedule.

Rotating Tires on AWD Vehicles

How often should you rotate your tires for your all-wheel drive model? How many miles to rotate tires will differ slightly, and experts recommend scheduling your service every 3,000 to 5,000 miles instead. If you want to try the process at home, we recommend using color-coded arrows and creating a diagram as follows:

1. The left rear goes to the right front spot.
2. The right rear goes to the left front spot.
3. The right front goes to the left rear spot.
4. The left front goes to the right rear spot.

Why Rotate Tires?

We’ve covered how many miles to rotate tires, but why rotate your tires at all? The biggest benefit is that you can even out the wear and tear across the entire set of tires. That means you’ll enjoy great performance for as long as possible in Royal Oak, and you won’t have to buy a new set earlier than necessary. Here are some other benefits: 

• Improved traction on slippery roads
• Less noise on the road
• Relieves unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

Schedule Your Service at Ray Laethem Buick GMC, Inc.

Ready to schedule your next maintenance visit? The team at Ray Laethem Buick GMC, Inc. are ready to bring out the best in your car. Schedule your service in Detroit, and check out our current service offers while you’re here! Contact us with any questions.