Until they are no longer able to drive their car or have an unexpected tire repair, some drivers may not think about the condition of their tires. However, unknown to them, they could be endangering themselves and their passengers. It is a proven fact that tire failure caused by uneven tread wear is the cause of thousands of accidents every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has even published a statement encouraging drivers to include tire rotation service in their regular car maintenance routine.
New drivers may not understand exactly what rotating tires even means. It is simply moving the tires around to a different position on the vehicle so that the tread wears in an even pattern on all four tires. For example, the front tires will be moved to the rear and the rear tires moved to the front.
So what happens if you don’t rotate your tires? Here are four common issues drivers should be aware of:
- Uneven tread wear. This means the front tires may wear faster than the rear ones, or there is an irregular wear pattern on one or more of the tires.
- Vibration. If the tires develop an uneven tread wear pattern, you may start to feel a vibration. Your tires may need to be rotated, balanced, or the wheels aligned so that the handling safety of your vehicle is not compromised.
- Deflation. Too much pressure on a tire can cause it to lose air too fast.
- Warranty invalid. Many tire manufacturers include free tire rotations at specified mileage intervals.
Many tire repair technicians recommend that tires be rotated about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, or about every other oil change. This not only extends the life of your tires and saves you money, but increases the handling safety of your vehicle.
Still, wondering about what happens if you don’t rotate your tires? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Dependable Car Care for more information about our tire repair services and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Ventura, CA, and the surrounding area.
