The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates there are about 11,000 automotive accidents annually in the United States due to tire failure. Nearly half of all accidents caused by tire issues are fatal. Most of us don’t pay much attention to our car’s tires. We believe there’s no problem if the car seems to be driving properly. But bringing your vehicle in for tire rotation at regular intervals will provide longer tire life, and it can prevent a blowout. If you live or work in Show Low, tire rotation is quick and easy when you bring your vehicle to the Show Low Ford Service Center.

Most tire manufacturers and automakers recommend rotating tires every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Tire rotation will reduce the likelihood of getting into an accident caused by faulty tires, including blowouts, bald tires, tread separations, and underinflated tires. Additionally, bringing your vehicle to Winslow Ford for tire rotation service near Show Low will allow the service technicians to detect problems with the steering and suspension.

What is Tire Rotation?
When a service technician rotates your car’s tires, they’ll move them to different locations. All tires don’t wear evenly. For example, the front tires on front-wheel-drive vehicles must drive the car forward, steer and stop, so the front tires will wear out faster than the rear tires. Likewise, rear-wheel-drive vehicles will experience greater tire wear on the rear tires. All-wheel-drive vehicles have their own wear patterns. Because of this, different types of vehicles have different tire rotation patterns.

Tire Rotation Patterns
The most common tire rotation patterns for non-directional tires, where the tires and wheels are the same size, use the following patterns:

1. Front-wheel drive: The two front tires move to the rear. The two rear tires move to the front and switch sides.
2. Rear-wheel drive or AWD/four-wheel drive: The front tires move to the rear. The rear tires move to the front. Both sets of tires switch sides.
3. Rear-wheel drive or AWD/four-wheel drive (alternate): The rear tires move to the front. The front tires move to the rear and switch sides.

Directional tires and sets of different sizes use different rotation patterns than standard tires.

1. Directional tires that are the same size: The two front tires are moved to the rear, and the two rear tires are transferred to the front. They don’t switch sides.
2. Tires of different sizes: The right front tire moves to the left front, and the left front tire moves to the right front. The rear tires also switch sides.

If this sounds confusing, you can check your car’s owner’s manual to find the recommended rotation patterns.
 
You may be tempted to rotate your car’s tires yourself, but we don’t recommend it. You may not have the proper tools to do the job. Professionals like the service technicians at Winslow Ford have the experience necessary to rotate your vehicle’s tires correctly and safely.

Call us if you have questions about tire rotation or other service matters. We’re always glad to help.