Tyres have a very important role to play in the safety and quality of your ride. Replacing them also incurs a significant cost. These are two very good reasons for why you should make their maintenance a priority.
Periodic tyre rotation is an important aspect in optimising tyre performance and extending the life of your tyres. Each wheel position experiences different rates and types of wear. Taking the case of a front wheel drive, the front tyres experience more torque and friction force required for turning, accelerating and braking, leading to more wear.
By routinely rotating your tyres, wear is spread evenly across all four tyres, thus extending the life of your tyres.
Also having even tread wear could optimise traction and handling performance which, in turn, will give you a smoother ride, and substantially increases your safety.
Lastly, tyre rotation can save you money. For all-wheel drive, evenly worn tyres reduce the strain on the drivetrain, so you won’t need to replace expensive parts.
How often should you rotate your tyres?
Most manufacturers recommend tyre rotation every 8,000 to 10,000 km. Your owner’s manual will tell you how often you should schedule a tyre rotation.
Always visit a reputable tyre service centre or garage to ensure proper rotation. When you do take the car in for tyre rotation, it’s also an ideal time to have the tyres inspected for damage, checked for air pressure and tread depth, and get them rebalanced if needed. Find Your Bridgestone Service Center.
The tyre rotation checklist
The rotation pattern of your tyres depends on certain important criteria:
• Is your vehicle front, rear, all, or four-wheel drive?
• Are the tyres directional or non-directional? (The tread pattern on directional tyres are designed to rotate in one direction only)
• Do you have a mini-spare tyre or a full-size one that can be rotated through as well?
• Are your tyres the same size on the front and rear?
TYRE ROTATION PATTERNS
The recommended rotation pattern is dictated by the type of car.
Front-Wheel Drives
Move the front tyres to the rear and switch sides.
Move the rear tyres to the front on the same side.
Rear-Wheel Drives
Move the front tyres to the rear on the same side.
Move the rear tyres to the front and switch sides.
Four-Wheel Drives
Move the front tyres to the rear and switch sides.
Move the rear tyres to the front and switch sides.
Directional Tyres
Move the front left tyre to the rear left, and front right tyre to the rear right.
Move the rear left tyre to the front left, and the rear right tyre to the front right.
Tyres are a substantial investment. It pays to take care of them. Properly inflated tyres that are serviced regularly with sufficient tyre rotation will deliver optimal tread life, excellent performance and value. Visit your nearest Bridgestone Distributor to find out more.
