Tire rotation is the practice of moving tires from one location on the vehicle to another to ensure even tread wear. It’s easy to remember when to get the oil changed or schedule a tuneup, but tire rotation is one of the most forgotten car maintenance procedures. In general, rotate them every 5,000 to 7,000 miles; check your owner’s manual for intervals specific to your vehicle. Use the guide below to understand the different patterns for this practice.

Front-Wheel Drive

In front-wheel-drive cars, the front tires receive the most wear because they grip the road, steer the vehicle, and carry the weight of the engine. Rotation involves moving the front tires directly to the back tires, then shifting the back tires diagonally to the front. This means the left rear tire travels to the front right side, and the back right goes to the front left. Tire rotations do not take long, so if you find yourself in an auto shop for other car maintenance, consider having technicians rotate the tires, as well.

Rear-Wheel Drive

These vehicles distribute the work over all tires more evenly; the front tires deal with steering, while the rear tires deliver the power. Rotating tires on a rear-wheel-drive car is the opposite of front-wheel-drive vehicles. Technicians move the rear tires directly to the front, keeping them on the same side. The front tires shift to the rear on opposite sides.

All-Wheel Drive

All-wheel-drive vehicles distribute wear nicely between all tires, but the front wheels still must perform the steering. Many of these vehicles remain in front-wheel-drive mode most of the time, and the delicacy of an all-wheel-drive system requires car maintenance awareness regarding the treads. Significant tread variation between tires — more than 2/32 of an inch — can cause drivetrain strain. The tire rotation pattern depends on the shop, and both options work well. Technicians may also follow an X-pattern, which moves all tires diagonally.

If you need a tire rotation or any other form of car maintenance, see the professionals at H & S Tire & Auto Center in Wentzville, MO, and St. Charles County. Their team of ASE-certified mechanics can fix everything from air conditioning to transmissions, whether your vehicle is foreign or domestic. Call (636) 327-5225 to get an estimate, or check out their website for more information about their services.