What is tyre rotation and why is it useful?

• Tyre rotation, or swapping your tyres’ positions, extends their lifespan and promotes even wear, enhancing safety and comfort.
• Generally, rotate tyres every 6,000-10,000 miles, but consult your user manual for specific guidance.
• Use a professional for tyre rotation to properly address potential issues and follow necessary protocols.
• Severely damaged tyres from poor alignment or under-inflated pressure need replacing not rotating.

Do you want tyres that last longer and wear more evenly? 

Tyre rotation is a useful technique to increase the longevity of your tyres, in order to get more mileage from them. It’s certainly worthwhile to consider, we’re sure you’ll agree. 

In this article, we’ll explore what tyre rotation is, how it’s done and also when it is not suitable. 

What is tyre rotation? 

Tyre rotation, also known as wheel rotation, is the act of swapping the position of your tyres with each other. This can mean swapping front wheels with rear wheels or swapping tyres on the left-hand side of the car with tyres on the right-hand side of the car. 

The purpose of tyre rotation is to increase the lifespan of the tyres on your vehicle. That’s because different tyres, depending on their position on your car, will wear down at different rates. Rotating them is therefore a way of distributing this wear and tear more evenly, extending the lifespan of your tyres. 

What are the benefits of tyre rotation? 

There are multiple benefits of regularly rotating your tyres, including: 

• Helps tyres to wear evenly, extending lifespan 
• Redistributes tyre grip for increased safety on the road 
• Save money due to better fuel efficiency 
• Improves comfort while driving 

It’s clear that tyre rotation is an easy way to get the best from your tyres – but how do you know when it’s time to rotate? 

How can you tell if you need tyre rotation? 

It’s worth referring to your user manual to check if there are any instructions regarding tyre rotation for your specific vehicle.  

Some suggest rotating every 6,000-10,000 miles. This frequency may need to be reduced if you drive long distances or carry heavy loads. 

If you’re noticing obvious wear on your tyres and so buy new, the technician may enquire whether you’re wanting to rotate at that time. 

How can you rotate your tyres? 

Tyre rotation should be carried out by a professional. It may be suggested when you’re getting a new set or during a routine car service with the technician offering advice on which tyres are suitable for rotation. 

What are the drawbacks of tyre rotation? 

You may need to reset TPMS following a tyre rotation, or start your car’s tyre pressure re-learning process. Without this, the car’s onboard monitoring system might think the tyres are in their previous position, affecting accuracy.

When is tyre rotation not suitable? 

Tyre rotation is not suitable when your vehicle’s tyres are different sizes (front & rear). Certain rules must also be followed with swapping the position of directional tyres (indicated by an arrow on the sidewall of the tyre), making it best to get a professional involved. 

Some vehicles require the wheels to always be located in a certain position for the TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) to work correctly. Always seek professional advice on the type of TPMS that needs to be fitted before the wheels are rotated. 

Tyre rotation won’t correct wear and tear that is caused by problems such as poor wheel alignment or incorrect tyre pressure. These are separate issues that need to be diagnosed and addressed separately.

When should a tyre be replaced rather than rotated? 

If a tyre is bulging, has inadequate tread depth or simply is in an unfit driving state, relocating the tyre to a new spot on the car is not suitable. Rather, the correct course of action is to replace the tyre completely. After all, tyres that are severely worn or damaged are a danger to yourself as the driver and to others – so it’s not worth taking any chances. 

Boost the lifespan of your tyres with expert tyre rotation and replacement from Mr Tyre. As the leading chain of autocentres for Central England, you can count on our 50 years’ experience to ensure your vehicle receives a first-class service every time. Contact us to discover more.