How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Exactly how often should you rotate your tires? Most drivers around Matthews will need to rotate their tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. However, when to rotate tires can vary based on the type of car you drive and whether its drivetrain is FWD, RWD, or AWD. We always recommend following the tire rotation schedule in your owner’s manual, but you can pick up some extra tire rotation tips from our service professionals in the guide below.

When to Rotate Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles 

Naming conventions for drivetrains will indicate where engine power is directed while driving through Indian Trail. So, front-wheel-drive vehicles direct engine power to the front tires while rear-wheel-drive vehicles direct engine power to the rear tires. Whichever tires are receiving more of the engine power are going to wear out at a faster rate. If you drive a vehicle with FWD or RWD, familiarize yourself with these tips:

• 5,000 to 7,500 miles is generally how many miles to rotate tires on FWD and RWD vehicles. As always, you should confirm this in your owner’s manual.
• When rotating tires, it’s very important to follow the correct rotation pattern. On an FWD vehicle, you need to move the rear left tire to the front right, and the rear right tire to the front left. But when you move the front tires to the back, they can remain in the same position.
• Simply flip the rotation pattern for RWD — the front left tire goes to the rear right, and the front right tire goes to the rear left. The rear tires can maintain their position when they move forward.
• Driving habits also dictate when to rotate tires. For example, off-roading and high-mileage driving will require you to rotate tires more often than the average driver. Our service advisors will be glad to help you determine how many miles to rotate your tires based on your unique driving needs.

How Many Miles to Rotate Tires with AWD

All-wheel drive systems provide enhanced traction on the Pineville roads, but drivers with AWD vehicles will need to rotate their tires more frequently. Why? AWD vehicles direct engine power to all four tires; sometimes the distribution is more equal and sometimes it’s less equal depending on the changing road conditions. That being said, the tires on AWD cars usually wear out faster and sometimes unevenly, so you should rotate tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles to counteract the effects. AWD vehicles also have a different rotation pattern, seen below:

• Move the left rear tire to the right front position. 
• Move the right rear tire to the left front position. 
• Move the right front tire to the left rear position
• Move the left front tire to the right rear position.

If you’re rotating tires at home, you can draw up a simple diagram using color-coded arrows to remind you where each tire should be repositioned.

Why Is Tire Rotation Important? 

Wondering why we rotate tires in the first place? As we’ve discussed, tires don’t wear out evenly. Without tire rotation, you would end up driving around Charlotte with the power-receiving tires more worn out than the rest, which can become a safety hazard. Here are just a few compelling reasons to rotate tires regularly: 

• Enhanced traction on slick roads 
• Improved gas mileage
• Decreased road noise 
• Longer overall tire life 
• Less stress on the drivetrain 

Schedule Tire Rotation in Charlotte

Is it almost time for your next tire rotation? Extend the life of your tires by scheduling a service appointment online with Hendrick Porsche. We can complete your next tire rotation swiftly, so you can get back on the road with confidence. Before your visit, be sure to review our rotating service specials for tire rotation coupons and more maintenance savings.

Service Specials From Hendrick Porsche