What is Tire Rotation?

Tire rotation is performed to prevent any one tire from wearing down too fast, which can extend the life of the entire set of tires over time. This process is important to maintain traction, prevent blowouts, and even improve fuel economy on Tampa roads. Learn more about tire rotation at Subaru of South Tampa, and contact us if you have any questions or want to get more car care tips!

What Does Rotating Tires Mean?

Tire rotation is easy enough to understand: tires are moved from one position on a vehicle to another. In most cases, the front tires will move to the rear and the rear tires will move to the front. They may also change sides, so what was the rear left tire will end up as the front right tire — this is called the tire rotation pattern. Here are some tire rotation basics:

• Most cars carry more weight at the front, so front tires will typically wear out faster, but the type of drivetrain your vehicle has will also affect the rate at which each tire wears down.
• For example, in front-wheel drive vehicles, power is sent to the front axle and wheels to produce forward motion. Therefore the front tires will wear down faster than they would in rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive models.
• This also means that your vehicle’s drivetrain will also affect the tire rotation pattern, to ensure that no tire wears down too fast compared to the whole set of tires.

What Does Tire Rotation Do?

• Maintains Traction: When tires wear down, they lose tire tread depth. A loss of tread depth means traction is reduced, which can interfere with your ability to control the vehicle in certain situations. Preventing uneven tire wear helps ensure that all tires have the same amount of tread.
• Prevents Blowouts: Tires become more likely to fail as they get worn down. If you’ve ever had one blowout as you drive around St. Petersburg, you’ll know how unpleasant and potentially dangerous it can be.
• Improves Performance: Tires working together that have uneven wear often produce vibration, which you’ll eventually feel through the steering wheel.
• Maximizes Efficiency: Worn tires create drag, strain the engine, and increase your fuel consumption.

Rely on Subaru of South Tampa for Tire Care Needs

Generally, tires should be rotated every six months or every 5,000 miles to 8,000 miles — whichever comes first. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for model-specific information, and when it’s time for your next tire rotation in Wesley Chapel, rely on your local authorized service center! You can also check our rotating service specials to save on your next visit in Town ‘n’ Country.