How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

One of the maintenance topics we hear about a lot here at the Chevrolet GMC Of Fairbanks service center near North Pole is when to rotate tires. People often ask us “Well, how often should you rotate your tires?”, to which we reply something like “Every 5,000 to 8,000 miles is a good average for how many miles to rotate tires.” Though this is a good ground rule, you should definitely defer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual when in doubt or contact our service experts.

Rotating Tires on FWD and RWD Cars

Both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive are types of “two-wheel-drive” (2WD) technologies. Each simply refers to where power from the engine is sent to. For a front-wheel-drive car, it is sent to the front tires. For a rear-wheel-drive car, it is sent to the rear tires. In either type of car, power distribution will be heavier towards the front or rear axle, respectively. Here’s what to remember when rotating FWD or RWD car tires when it comes to how many miles to rotate tires and more:

• For FWD or RWD cars, tire rotation should be done roughly every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for exact figures.
• If you’re performing a FWD tire rotation yourself, remember to switch sides when moving the rear tires. But keep the front tires on the same side as you move them back.

• When rotating tires on an RWD car, switch sides when moving the front tires to the back, but keep the rear tires on the same side when moving them to the front.

• Different driving styles and types of driving (i.e. off-roading) will affect how often you need to rotate your tires. The Chevrolet GMC Of Fairbanks service center can help you determine proper intervals for tire rotation for your unique circumstances.

AWD Tire Rotation Tips

AWD cars are a different breed than 2WD cars, and so their tire rotation intervals are different, too. Since power from your engine is sent to every wheel when you engage AWD, most AWD tires should be rotated roughly every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you use AWD regularly in Fort Wainwright. 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.

Pro Tip: 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 the professionals do it at our service center instead, just schedule service online now!

Why Rotate Tires?

Now you know when to rotate tires. But why do it? Here are the main benefits to tire rotation:

• Prolonging the life of your tires by evening out wear
• Improving traction on slippery roads
• Decreasing tire noise/road noise
• Relieving excess stress on the drivetrain

Schedule Tire Rotation in Fairbanks or Buy New Tires Now!

Ready to book your next service appointment or tire rotation appointment at our service center near Eielson Airforce Base? Call (907) 885-0348 now. Otherwise, we invite you to check out our tire finder tool to help you purchase new tires that match your needs.