How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Keeping your tires in good condition is essential since your tires are your only point of contact with the Virginia Beach streets. So, how often should you rotate your tires? For most Chesapeake drivers, a tire rotation interval of once every 5,000 to 7,000 miles is a good rule of thumb. However, you may be able to find more exact information on how many miles to rotate tires in your owner’s manual. Learn more about when to rotate tires with the service experts from Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Norfolk below!

Tire Rotations on FWD and RWD Vehicles

Many Suffolk motorists drive a front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) car. But what do these designations mean? A FWD vehicle sends power from the engine to the front set of tires, while a RWD model sends the power to the back set of tires. This means that the set of tires that is responsible for receiving the engine power will take on the most wear and tear. So, how many miles to rotate tires on FWD and RWD models? The general rule of every 5,000 to 7,000 miles still applies, but it’s important to keep the following in mind:

• If you have a penchant for DIY tasks and you want to take on a FWD tire rotation in your own Norfolk garage, you need to flip sides when moving the rear tires. So, the rear right tire will go to the front left, and the rear left tire will go to the front right. However, you will keep the front tires on the same side when moving them to the back.

• When handling a RWD tire rotation, you’ll invert the above process. So, flip the front tires when moving them to the back, but keep them on the same side when moving them from back to front.

• If you’re a frequent off-roader or you take on tough terrain you may wonder when to rotate tires for your own lifestyle. Our expert staff can offer more exact recommendations, but you’ll likely need to rotate your tires more often if you regularly deploy your vehicle for heavy-duty use.

AWD Tire Rotation Tips

Wondering how many miles to rotate tires on an AWD model? Since these vehicles work in a unique way, each tire will wear at different speeds. To compensate, most experts recommend an AWD tire rotation frequency of once every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, as your particular vehicle may have different needs. If you aren’t sure when your last tire rotation was or you’d like to have an inspection, schedule service with us at your convenience.

Why Rotate Tires?

Now that you know when to rotate tires, you may be wondering why you should even bother with tire rotations in the first place. While common knowledge will tell you that caring for your tires will extend their life, tire rotations also offer additional benefits:

• Greater traction on slippery roads
• Reduced noise on the road
• Avoids unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

Get Your Tire Advice from Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Norfolk

Now that we’ve answered the question, “How often should you rotate your tires,” you can keep up to date with your tire care without skipping a beat! Our tire team is here to help you find the right set for your vehicle and will guide you through maintenance down the road. If you have any lingering questions about rotating your tires, contact our service team today!