
So, do you really have to rotate your tires?
To answer the question how often, what is tire rotation? Tire rotation is the having the tires repositioned on your vehicle in a specific pattern. Typically, they go from front to back and/or side to side. Okay, but Why get a tire rotation? This is an important part of vehicle tire upkeep and vehicle safety. For many tire manufacturers, it is required for warranty purpose.
Cars are not cheap! As a car owner, there are many maintenance things that have to be done to keep your car on the road and get as long of a lifespan as you can. Still though, you may be asking yourself if a tire rotation is really necessary? Maybe the budget is a little tight this month, is the finance company going to get your car because you missed a tire rotation?
Absolutely not, they finance company has no concern with your having maintenance completed on your car as recommended or required by the manufacturer. They’re still going to expect you to pay for the car though, whether is drivable or not, so take the time and budget for the routine tire rotation along with the other maintenance actions like oil changes.
By following the vehicle’s manufacturer recommended tire rotation schedule, this will assure that your tires have even tread wear. What does even tread wear give you? It improves the car’s handling, reduces noises and vibrations, extends the tire’s life, and protect the tire warranty. These are things that keep you from having to buy new tires and give you the best driving experience possible.
What happens if you never rotate your tires?
Without regular tire rotations, the tread wears unevenly, creating a rough and unstable tire surface for driving. Unevenly worn tread will decrease yours and your passenger’s safety while on the road. NHTSA reports that inadequate tread depth has been found responsible for over 25% of all car accidents related to tires. Ignored tire rotation can cause the following:
- Heat Buildup: When a car is moving, it creates friction between the tires and the road, generating heat. While tires are designed and manufactured to withstand heat, they still need airflow space to cool down. When tires get too hot, they are prone for having blowouts and the tread begin separating.
- Hydroplaning: Tire tread’s deep grooves channel water away from the surface. This enables the tires to maintain a solid grip on the roadway. When the tire tread is inadequate, the tires can slide across the road and skim across the water, making controlling, handling, and steering the car dangerous and even impossible.
- Poor Traction: With tire tread that is deep, sharp, and wide, and has more irregular treads, like snow tires, it improves the traction by design to grip into packed snow. Insufficient tread makes winter condition driving risky with possibility you can spin out of control and slide on the icy roadway.
- Blowouts and Punctures: Without regular tire rotation, the excessive strain your tires are under will create a worn spot that will start to wear thin. As tires get thinner in those worn spot, the risk of glass, nail, a sharp rock or any sharp object could puncture the tire, causing a blowout.
Can rotating tires mess up tire alignment?
A tire rotation should not affect the tire alignment if you have the tire rotation on a routine schedule as recommended by the tire manufacturer.
How do I know when to get my tires rotated?
If you notice any of these things while driving your car, they are indications that your car needs a tire rotation:
- Tires Wearing Uneven: Examine all of the tires on your car and you notice that the tread is wearing differently on each tire, a tire rotation would be a good idea.
- Tire Vibration: When driving 45 mph or faster, if you feel a vibration from the tires, you could have a tire out of balance, your tires could need tire rotation, or your car may need a wheel alignment.
- Tire Pressure Loss: If one tire is losing air pressure faster than the other three tires, it is probably a leak in that one tire. Taking your car in for a Vehicle inspections and tire rotations will allow the mechanic to check all issues like leaks and get your car secure for the road again.

How long will tires last if not rotated?
There are several factors in determining the lifespan of tires. From how much you drive, the way you drive, the road conditions, and more. Tire rotation is important in getting the longest lifespan though. A sixty-thousand-mile tire that doesn’t get a routine tire rotation could get fifty-thousand miles. A routine tire rotation will give your tires a better chance of sixty-thousand miles or longer with good driving and road conditions.
It is important to have the routine tire rotation and just as important to use a service that is experienced in how to do a tire rotation properly. Keeping your tires and other important components of your car will assure safe driving for you and safe arrival for your passengers. Call 609-737-7226 today for your tire rotation in Hopewell and Pennington, NJ.