One of the most crucial yet overlooked aspects of vehicle health is the tires. Tire rotation helps diminish tread wear (grinding and rubbing that occurs while driving) by rotating each tire to a different position on the axles. Most vehicle manufacturers suggest getting the tires rotated every 7,500 miles or six months. Check your owners’ manual for specific recommendations based on your car.
Tire rotation ensures the tread wear is level, creating a steady ride by improving handling, decreasing noise and vibration, increasing tire life, and safeguarding the warranty. Tire life can be significantly extended by rotation.
Without frequent rotations, treads on tires can wear down unevenly, creating a rough and unlevel driving experience. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report showed deficient tread depth to be responsible for over 25 percent of all tire-related car accidents.
Some dangerous situations that can result from inadequate tire tread depth include:
Heat Buildup
While in motion, the friction created between a vehicle’s tires and the road produces heat. Treads provide space for cooling airflow to permeate and allow the tires to withstand the heat. When tire treads are reduced and can no longer allow airflow, temperatures can rise to unsafe levels. Blowouts and tread separation can cause major tire failure.
Hydroplaning
Tire treads also help control water in wet conditions to ensure the vehicle maintains a solid grip on the surface. Without enough tread depth, tires can slip across water on roads, causing a dangerous situation and rendering the driver unable to steer, control, or handle the vehicle.
Poor Traction
Snow tires are essential for colder weather conditions, as they have deep, wide, and more irregular treads than standard tires. Traction is greatly improved with the ability to grip into packed snow. The risk of spinning out or sliding on ice is vastly higher if poor traction is the culprit.
Punctures
Tires can encounter disproportionate pressure in certain areas. If left unrotated, those spots can eventually wear thin. Generally tough and able to withstand rough objects, weakened areas in tires quickly become susceptible to glass, nails, or sharp rocks. Tire rotation ensures these points are evenly spread out and do not create sensitivity points.
Do you need your tires rotated? The benefits of tire rotation far outweigh the risks of driving on vulnerable tires!
Team CAMC is your Complete Auto Maintenance Center. For over 30 years, we have followed a single guiding principle: we never push or sell services a vehicle doesn’t need. Our team of trained technicians welcomes you like family and discusses all types of oil and fluid changes offered. Critical points are reviewed through a 13-point inspection to ensure your vehicle is ready for the next adventure on the road ahead. Contact us today to schedule the professional service you deserve from a team you trust.
Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.