Tires are an important part of every and make up for a big chunk of the car maintenance budget. Let’s take a look at tire rotation and how it affects wear and tear.
Changing oil, checking air pressure, listening to car noises, etc are often repeated as important tips for car maintenance. However, car tires are the first ones to run out. Along with maintenance costs, faulty tires can also cause major safety issues. In this article, let’s take a look at an easy way to maintain car tires. Tire Rotation is a great way to ensure that all your tires last longer. It essentially means you have to rotate your tires from front to back and vice-versa. Let’s take a closer look:
What Is Car Tire Rotation?
Tire Rotation sound a little confusing. However, it means rotating your tires across the car. This is a good maintenance technique that includes swapping tires on the front end with the ones on the back. This is followed by swapping the left and right sides. So, the tire on the back left of the car ends up on the front right side. The Tire Rotation process ensures that all sides are even.
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When to Rotate Tires of a Car?
Ideally, car owners should rotate tires every 8,000 to 13,000 kilometres. However, it is advisable to check your car manual for recommended car rotation schedule. A great hack is to combine it with your oil change schedule since it should be changed at a similar frequency.
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Why Should You Have Your Car Tires Rotated?
Since all tires are exposed to different angles of the road, there is uneven erosion on the treads. This can eventually lead to an uneven vehicle balance which can seriously affect manoeuvrability in difficult road conditions (wet or frozen). You will also have to replace one tire before the others. The Tire Rotation process makes sure that all wear and tear on all tires is happening evenly. Additionally, when there’s uneven wear and tear on the surface, tire cupping can also occur. Due to uneven surfaces, you will hear noises and rumbling sounds. Rotating tires on a regular basis also helps you to avoid this issue.
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How Much Does it Cost to Have Tires Rotated?
The Tire Rotation process can cost between Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,000, depending on the service provider. However, some repair shops also offer this service for free if you purchased tires from them. Alternatively, you can do it yourself. Please note that rotating tires require a bunch of tools. Please make sure you find a safe and quiet area for this. The pictorial guide below explains how to rotate tyres in FWD, RWD and AWD/4WD cars –
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Conclusion
Tire Rotation is an important hack for keeping tires even and saving maintenance costs in the long term. It also makes your driving experience safer. It is advisable to check your tires regularly for air pressure and wear.
