Tire rotation is one of the most straightforward car maintenance services available. It involves switching the tires around in a pattern based on whether you have directional (those that are designed to rotate only in one direction) or non-directional tires for more even wear. If performed regularly, this measure can also help improve your gas mileage and give you better control of the car during sudden stops or turns.

Find out whether you're due for a tire rotation below:

• Unexplainable Loss in Pressure: A sudden and uneven loss in pressure is often caused by the unbalanced load your tires bear.  The tires in front do most of the steering and take the brunt of braking, which makes them more susceptible to pressure loss. However, low tire pressure may not always be obvious. Squealing tires, cracked air valves, and difficulty steering are subtle indicators to look out for. To prevent this problem, have your mechanic switch your tires around every 5,000 miles so the ones in the front won’t wear out faster than the ones in the rear.

• Excessive Vibrations: Your tires are designed to provide you with a smooth driving and handling experience, even at high speeds. Excessive vibrations are an indication your tire’s exterior is wearing unevenly, thus causing a strange shimmying motion as you speed up. Uneven wear results from too much hard braking, as this causes the vehicle to shift its entire body weight to the front.

• Feathering: This is the type of wear in which one side of the tread rib is rounded while the other is extremely sharp. You can determine whether your tires are “feathering” by simply running your hands across the tread. Feathering is caused by excessive toe-in of the vehicle that leads to rapid, uneven wearing. This often occurs in four-wheel-drive and off-road vehicles with wide tire treads.

Tire rotation is a simple car maintenance measure. To ensure it’s done correctly and efficiently, get in touch with Quick Lane at Jack Kain Ford by calling (877) 837-1796. Located in Versailles, KY,  this company has been providing wheel alignment and tire repair services since 1979. You may also visit their website to learn about their promotions.