How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

How often should you rotate your tires? Generally, tire rotation has an interval of 5,000- to 8,000 miles. Though this is a good ground rule, for exact figures on your model you should always check your owner’s manual. Still curious when to rotate tires? Read through this simple guide from the folks at Executive Volkswagen of North Haven, your Meriden-area trusted service center.

Rotating Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles

The designations of front-wheel and rear-wheel drive simply mean where power from the engine is sent. For a front-wheel drive car, it is sent to the front tires, while in a rear-wheel drive car it is sent to the rear tires. This means the set of tires getting the bulk of the engine power will wear faster than the others. Should you drive a FWD or RWD vehicle, keep these tire rotation tips in mind:

• For FWD or RWD cars, tire rotation needs to be performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for exact figures.
• If you’re performing a FWD tire rotation yourself, keep in mind to flip sides when moving the rear tires. For example, the rear right tire will go on the front left. However, when moving the front tires to the back, keep them on the same side.
• When rotating tires on an RWD car, invert the process above. Flip sides when moving the front tires to the back, but keep the rear tires on the same side when moving them forward.
• Keep in mind how you drive, like off-roading, will affect how often you need to rotate your tires. Talk with the service experts at Executive Volkswagen of North Haven to get a better idea of a maintenance schedule that fits your driving habits.

AWD Tire Rotation Tips

If you have an all-wheel drive (AWD) Volkswagen model, then your vehicle will have different tire rotation than FWD or RWD vehicles. Since power from your engine is sent to every wheel when you engage AWD, the rotation will need to be done in a specific way and in closer intervals. Most AWD tires need to be rotated every 3,000 – 5,000 miles if you use AWD regularly in Stratford. You’ll also follow these tips when rotating your tires at home:

1. The left rear goes to the right front spot.
2. The right rear goes to the left front spot.
3. The right front goes to the left rear spot.
4. The left front goes to the right rear spot.

To make this process easier, we recommend drawing a simple diagram of your drivetrain and using color-coded arrows to help you move your tires properly. If you prefer to have a professional team rotate your tires though, you can always schedule service at Executive Volkswagen of North Haven! 

Why Rotate Tires?

Now that you know when to rotate tires, you may be wondering why rotate them at all. Common knowledge will tell you tire rotation extends the life of your tires. Beyond that, regular tire rotation gives your vehicle additional benefits:

• Improved traction on slippery roads
• Less noise on the road
• Relieves unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

To be better prepared for hazardous weather around Watertown, keep tire rotations as part of your maintenance plan. Remember that properly caring for your tires doesn’t mean they’ll last forever. If you’re in need of replacement, our tire center can help you out!

Get Your Tire Advice From Executive Volkswagen of North Haven

For any information regarding tire care, contact us today. Our certified technicians are always standing by to help answer your questions and solve your problems, and our service specials make routine maintenance like tire rotations easy and affordable.

Service Specials From Executive Volkswagen of North Haven