Tire Rotations

When considering your vehicle’s most important safety features, likely, tires won’t be top-of-mind. But they should be. Tires are your car’s only connection to the road, and ensuring they’re properly maintained is essential. Regular rotation is one of the most crucial maintenance tasks for them, as it helps ensure they wear evenly and last longer.

Modern tires are so reliable that you may neglect to maintain them. Don’t make that mistake because tire failure can be hazardous. Statistics show that nearly 11,000 tire-related accidents occur yearly, many due to uneven wear. That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration actively promotes tire rotation as part of its TireWise campaign.

At our Meadowland GMC dealership, we understand the importance of tire rotation for your safety and effective vehicle maintenance. We train our technicians to perform this essential procedure perfectly. Plus, we’ll inspect your treads and address any other issues we may uncover during the process. Don’t take any chances — ensure your tires are always in top condition, and consider scheduling an appointment with us today.

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What Is a Tire Rotation?

In layperson’s terms, tire rotation is the process of moving your tires to different positions on your vehicle. The exact pattern chosen will depend on the type of car and tires in question. Typically, they can be moved from front to back, side to side, or in various diagonal patterns. When you come in for a tire rotation at our dealership, we take the time to choose a rotation pattern that best suits your vehicle’s requirements. The following are the most commonly used tire rotation patterns:

• Rearward cross: This involves moving the front tires to the vehicle’s rear and across the opposite side and moving the back ones to the front without switching sides. This is the preferred tire rotation pattern for four-wheel, all-wheel, and rear-wheel-drive cars.
• Forward cross: This requires moving the left front tire to the left rear position, the right front one to the right rear position, the left rear one to the right front position, and the right rear one to the left front position. This pattern is acceptable for vehicles with four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive.
• X pattern or cross pattern: This places the front and back tires on opposite sides. Four-wheel drive vehicles commonly use this tire rotation pattern.

In addition to the above, we can use other tire rotation patterns when full-size spare tires are part of the rotation or for vehicles that use special high-performance or directional tires with specific axle placement specifications. Before you get your tires rotated, please consider consulting one of our tire experts to determine the best pattern for your vehicle.

How Often Should You Get Your Tires Rotated?

The Tire Industry Association recommends rotating your tires after driving 5,000 to 7,000 miles. However, it is always best to check your owners manual for an exact recommendation, as the optimal frequency varies from car to car. Not getting your tires rotated when necessary can lead to costly and dangerous problems, so stay on top of it.

A good practice is to have your tires rotated and inspected whenever you go in for an oil change. After the rotation, your mechanic can adjust the inflation pressures according to the vehicle’s tire placard. Some cars need different pressure settings in the front and back, so this is an essential step.

Benefits of Regular Tire Rotations

Having your tires rotated regularly is vital for maintaining overall tire safety. The following are some benefits you can enjoy when you have this done consistently:

• Improved road traction: As your tires wear out, their tread depth is reduced, leading to decreased road grip. Tire rotation helps maintain an even tread depth, allowing your vehicle to get the best traction in wet, icy, or other challenging conditions.
• Protection against blowouts: As your tires wear out, the possibility of them failing increases. Rotation distributes the wear across them all, reducing blowout risk.
• Quieter ride: As tires wear, they create more noise. With regular rotation, you’ll experience less sound, which can significantly improve your in-car experience, especially on long trips.
• Improved fuel efficiency: Maintaining consistent tread wear can reduce drag and alleviate strain on the engine, which ultimately supports better fuel efficiency.
• Smooth ride quality: Uneven tire wear leads to rougher ride quality. By rotating them regularly, you can ensure all four wear out at the same rate, leading to a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Benefits of Getting Tire Rotations at a Dealership

When it comes to taking care of your vehicle, there is no better place to have it serviced than at a dealership. At our Meadowland GMC dealership, we understand that your car is a substantial investment, and we want to help you keep it running in top condition. Here’s why you should choose us for your tire rotation services:

• Certified technicians: All of our technicians are certified and have a wealth of experience in tire rotation services. They know everything they must do, including ensuring proper tire pressure and rotation pattern.
• Extensive inventory: We have a wide selection of tires and wheels from major brands such as Goodyear, Michelin, BF Goodrich, Firestone, and Bridgestone. Whatever your brand preference, we have the perfect tires for your car.
• Quick service: Our experienced technicians can quickly perform a tire rotation in as little as 30 minutes with minimal interruption to your day, thanks to their training and expertise, which enables them to execute the process efficiently.
• Latest equipment: We use the latest and most advanced equipment to ensure our team completes your tire rotation precisely and accurately.

At our Carmel Hamlet, New York, location, we make tire rotation services easy and affordable. Schedule an appointment  to experience all the benefits of getting your tires serviced at our dealership. We’re also your go-to for all your other vehicle maintenance needs, including oil changes and brake repairs. To experience the Meadowland GMC difference, contact us  today.

What are the benefits of Tire Rotations?

When you take your vehicle to get its tires rotated, the mechanic removes each tire from the car. Then, the mechanic switches or rotates, the placement of the tires. This improves the performance of your tires by promoting more even tread wear among the tires and can help you feel safer on the road. Mechanics may rotate your tires in different directions depending on your vehicle’s specifications.

When To Get Your Tires Rotated

Tires are a very important aspect of any car, and well-maintained tires can improve the performance and safety of your vehicle. Since they’re so important, it’s helpful to understand when to get your tires rotated. It’s recommended for drivers to rotate their tires every six months or every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, whichever milestone comes first. Similar to an oil change, tire rotations are a regular and frequent component of effective car maintenance.

A few variables may impact how often you should rotate your tires. You may need to rotate your car’s tires more frequently if you drive a lot. The make and model of your vehicle may also impact how often you should rotate your tires. Some cars require more frequent rotations because of the tire size or whether the car is front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive. You can contact our dealership, check your vehicle’s owner manual, or speak with a mechanic to determine how often your specific vehicle requires this service.

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Harmful Possibilities of Not Rotating Your Tires

Just as there are many benefits of rotating your tires, there are also consequences when tires aren’t rotated. Some possibilities are more harmful than others, but rather than taking the risk, it’s better to invest in this service. Here are a few harmful possibilities to consider if your tires aren’t rotated:

Potential for Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when your vehicle glides over the top of a watery surface rather than gripping the pavement underneath. This is most likely to occur when tires don’t have the proper tread depth to keep the wheels properly on the road. Hydroplaning presents a risk to your ability to steer and control your vehicle. However, regular tire rotations allow you to evenly wear your tires and identify when the tread is too shallow.

A buildup of Excess Heat

Another consequence of not rotating your tires is heat buildup. This occurs while driving for long distances or on particularly hot surfaces. The tires and the road create friction between them, which can create excessive amounts of heat. As tires get more worn out, they’re more likely to overheat, which can cause breakage or tread separation while you drive. Rotating your tires is a way to prevent this since you can replace the tires when the tread gets too low.

Tire Damage

You can damage your tires significantly if you don’t have them rotated. Some instances of tire damage include punctures in the tire from debris on the road. These can occur more easily when the tires’ tread wears thin enough for something to pierce the surface. However, regular rotations can prevent tire damage by assessing the current state of the tires and ensuring that they wear out evenly.

Poor Traction

Like hydroplaning, worn-out tires often have poor traction in frostier conditions like snow or ice. If you drive in this type of weather, tires that aren’t rotated can have shallow treads, making it harder to grip the road and drive safely. Regular rotations from professional mechanics can catch this problem ahead of time, increasing your and your passengers’ safety during colder months.

It’s far more beneficial to implement a routine of rotating your tires. Not only does this practice improve the life expectancy of your tires, but it can increase safety and save you money. Contact us at Meadowland GMC to schedule your next tire service or to inquire about how often you should rotate the tires on your vehicle. We’re here to help with all your tire needs.

Photo Credit: Tire Stack by Eva Cristescu is licensed with CC BY 2.0