How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

How often should you rotate your tires? For most vehicles, tire rotations are recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. It is always best to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer in your owner’s manual. Still wondering when to rotate tires on your particular make and model? The service center at BMW of Tigard has provided a guide below.

How Many Miles to Tires: FWD and RWD Vehicles

The drivetrain of your vehicle determines where a majority of the engine power is sent. With a front-wheel drive car, most of the engine power is sent to the front tires. The opposite is true for a rear-wheel drive car. The set of tires that receives the bulk of the engine power wears down more rapidly than the other tires. If your vehicle features a FWD or RWD drivetrain, keep these tire rotation tips in mind:

• While it is important to consult your owner’s manual for exact figures, a tire rotation is typically recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles on FWD and RWD vehicles.
• If you’re performing a FWD tire rotation at home, remember to swap sides when moving the rear tires. Here is an example: The rear right tire will go on the front left. As you move the front tires to the back, they should remain on the same side.

• If you have a RWD car, the reverse is true. You should swap sides when moving the front tires to the back, but the rear tires should stay on the same side as you move them forward.

• Your driving habits can affect how often your vehicle requires a tire rotation. If you are not sure how many miles to rotate tires to meet your driving needs, the team at BMW of Tigard would be more than happy to evaluate your vehicle and provide a recommendation.

When to Rotate Tires: AWD Vehicles

Wondering how many miles to rotate tires on an AWD model? If you have an AWD vehicle, tire rotations are typically recommended more often because each tire wears differently and at different speeds. While it is always recommended to follow manufacturer guidelines in your owner’s manual, in most cases, a tire rotation is recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for AWD vehicles.

Why is a Tire Rotation Necessary?

You now know when to rotate tires, but you may be wondering why tire rotations are performed in the first place. This service helps to prolong the life of your tires in addition to providing several other important benefits:

• Better traction on slick roads
• Less noise on the road
• Less stress on the drivetrain

If you want to be sure that your vehicle is ready for tough terrain or inclement weather in Portland and Tigard, tire rotations should be part of your maintenance plan.

Keep Up with Tire Care at BMW of Tigard

At BMW of Tigard, we want to help you keep your tires performing at their best. If you have questions about tire care, do not hesitate to reach out to us at your earliest convenience. Remember to also take a look at our current service specials for added savings on your next visit.