Tire rotations are a part of vehicle maintenance. The purpose of rotating your tires is to make them last as long as possible, prevent your suspension from wearing out prematurely, and keep the drivability of your car in the best possible condition. So when should you get a tire rotation?

The short answer is: whenever your service manual tells you to. Generally it is recommended that you rotate your tires every oil change. If you see uneven wear on your tires, it is definitely past time to have them rotated. Tire rotation is also an important part of a vehicle inspection, as different tread wear patterns indicate different situations. Wear can be a great indicator of issues your vehicle may have. If both front tires, or in some instances both rear tires are wearing out on the inner side of the tire, you need to have your vehicle aligned. If only one tire shows irregular wear, your car has a suspension issue. If your tires are wearing out in the center only, they are overinflated, and if they are wearing out more quickly on the outsides and not the center, they are underinflated. Tires on the front of a front wheel drive car and tires on the back of a rear wheel drive car will wear out more quickly than the other two tires. Tire rotations are not only the key to long lasting tires, they are also an important diagnostic tool.

Rotating the tires ensures that the tires wear evenly, eliminating the need to replace one or two tires far before the other ones. A tire that is never rotated has a far shorter lifespan, and tires are expensive to replace. Balding or unevenly worn tires dramatically affect traction, handling, and drivability, and keeping your tires rotated will avoid these issues. Now that you know the importance of tire rotation, come see us at Harold's Used Auto Parts Inc in Philadelphia. Our expert mechanics will rotate them correctly, and inspect them for any signs of trouble. Call or drop by today!