June is Tire Safety Month, and with drivers hitting the road for summer getaways, now is the perfect time to check tire tread, air pressure, and overall safety. Scheduling regular tire rotations is another key to tire safety, but how often should you rotate your tires? Don’t worry! We’ll dive into the world of tire rotation together and explain all the ins and outs.
Tire Rotation Schedule
Most tire manufacturers recommend that you rotate your tires between 5,000 and 8,000 miles, but you should always refer to your owner’s manual to find the specific recommendations for your vehicle. Also, keep in mind that tires wear differently depending on their position on the vehicle, your driving style, and the suspension’s condition. If your tires develop irregular or uneven tire wear, you may want to rotate them even sooner.
What Happens If You Don’t Rotate Your Tires?
Rotating your tires help:
- Extend the life of your tire treads
- Avoid losing tire traction
- Prevent uneven tire wear
Without regular tire rotations, your tires won’t last as long, meaning you’d have to replace them more often (that’s a lot of money!). Plus, unevenly worn tires make your vehicle more difficult to control, especially when you drive in inclement weather.
What Does a Tire Rotation Entail?
You might ask yourself, “Why do I need to rotate my tires? Aren’t they rotating every time I drive them?” Okay, we’ll give you that. But in this case, rotation means moving your four tires from their current positions to other positions on the vehicle. As simple as it sounds, rotations help ensure optimal performance and tire longevity.
However, rotating tires is not like musical chairs — you can’t just match up any tire to any available spot. Consult your owner’s manual, tire dealer, or manufacturer for the correct rotation pattern for your tires. Depending on your vehicle and tires, your tires’ recommended rotation might be front to back, side to side, or in a diagonal direction.
Let Jiffy Lube Handle the Specifics on Tire Rotation
As you can see, a lot goes into inspections, rotations, and knowing how often to rotate tires, and your local Jiffy Lube® will be glad to get you rolling again. The trained technicians can perform a full rotation and inspection of all your tires, including the spare. When they’re finished, a second team member will even double-check the torque on lug nuts and fasteners to help ensure your safety. Meanwhile, you can think about more important things—like where you’ll drive during your next carefree 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
NOTE: Not all services are offered at all Jiffy Lube service centers. Please call ahead or check jiffylube.com to ensure the service is available at the Jiffy Lube location near you.