How to Rotate Your Tires

Whether you choose to rotate your tires yourself or you choose to take your vehicle to our service center, tire rotation is a vital maintenance step you shouldn’t miss. In rotating your tires regularly, you’ll see better traction and performance on those sometimes slippery Fairbanks roads. Learn more about tire rotation with the experts at Chevrolet GMC Of Fairbanks, a Lithia dealership.

Why is Tire Rotation Necessary?

Even the best tires out there don’t wear evenly. Generally, due to turning, the outside edges of your front tires display greater wear. The rear wheels, by contrast, wear more evenly. So, if you don’t rotate your tires, you’ll see disproportionate wear.

How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?

Front and rear wheel drive vehicles need their tires rotated every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. All-wheel drive vehicles need their tires rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Inclement conditions can affect the wear of your tires, so icy Alaskan driving requires careful tire care. Of course, you’ll want to consult your owner’s manual.

How to Rotate Your Tires: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to rotate your own tires, you’ll need a few tools. Fortunately, you can find these tools around Fairbanks quite easily. You’ll need a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a car jack stand. Then:

• Engage the parking brake.
• Loosen the lug nuts of your vehicle. Don’t take your lug nuts off altogether.
• Elevate one wheel up with a car jack.
• Place the jack stand underneath the car jack.
• Remove the tires! (At this time, you may want to check their tire pressure.)
• Rotate your tires according to their appropriate pattern for your tire type.
• Place the tire back on the wheel mount.
• Screw the lug nuts on by hand as far as you can.
• Lower the car from the jack stands. Use a wrench to tighten the lug nuts. Rather than tightening the lug nuts in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion, you’ll want to tighten the lug nuts diagonally.

In What Position Should I Rotate My Tires?

• If you’re driving a FWD vehicle, you can move the front tires in the same left/right positions. When you are moving the rear tires to the front, you should switch the right tire and the left tire.
• If you’re driving a RWD vehicle, you can move the rear tires to the front of the car in the same left/right positions. But if you’re moving the front tires to the rear, you should switch the left tire and the right tire.

Visit Our Tire Center in Fairbanks, AK!

If you’re looking for new tires, or if you’re not ready to rotate your tires yourself, you can rely on Chevrolet GMC Of Fairbanks. Here, we have a dedicated tire center and a rotating panel of service specials. When you’re ready to take advantage of our tire deals here, contact our service department today. Wondering if your car battery needs replacing at your next service appointment? Looking for clarification on what antifreeze is used for? We can help with that, too!

Related Posts from Chevrolet GMC Of Fairbanks