What is Tire Rotation?

Like most Ames drivers, you’ve likely heard that it’s important to rotate your tires. But, what is tire rotation? Simply put, tire rotation is basically switching the position where each tire is placed on your car. What does tire rotation do? What does tire rotation mean for the life of your tires? Our service center staff wants to help you be safe and to help make sure that your car is running in top shape. So, let’s talk about what tire rotation is and why it’s so important.

What is Tire Rotation?

So, what is tire rotation, exactly? It’s pretty much what it sounds like. Your tires are rotated to different positions. For instance, depending on the type of drivetrain your car has, the front driver’s side tire may be switched with the rear passenger’s side tire. Then, the remaining two tires may be switched with each other.

What Does Tire Rotation Do?

Why should you have your tires rotated? What does tire rotation do? Front and rear tires wear differently. Tire rotation helps to ensure that all four tires wear evenly. This is important for the following reasons:

Why It’s Important to Rotate Tires

• Regularly rotated tires last longer
• Unevenly worn tires can be dangerous on slippery roads or in an emergency.
• Unevenly worn tires on an AWD vehicle can cause undue strain on the drivetrain
• Neglecting to rotate your tires could void your warranty

What Does Tire Rotation Mean for the Life of Your Tires?

Will your tires really last longer if you rotate them? What does tire rotation mean for the life of your tires? Every tire has a mileage rating. Some tires are rated to last 60,000 miles, for example, while others may be rated to last 100,000 miles. The thing is, that rating estimates how long the tire should last if it is rotated. A tire can fall short of that mileage rating by 10,000 miles or even more if it isn’t rotated. So, if you want to get the full potential out of your tires on our Indianola streets, they will need to be rotated. The easiest way to do this is to schedule an appointment online with our Indianola or why our customers love us. We’re here to help, so drop by or contact us today!