Tire rotations are an important part of regular automotive maintenance, but they’re often overlooked. Most people who drive vehicles know when to get an oil change, but many aren’t sure what it means to rotate tires. They might not hear about it until they’re dealing with expensive auto repairs and are told they could’ve prevented them. Here we’ll go over the basics of tire rotations, why they’re important, and how to find tire services near you in Saskatoon.

The Basics of Tire Rotation, Tire Balancing, and Wheel Alignment

Tire rotation is a type of tire service where they’re rotated into different positions, so tread wear is evenly distributed. Wear depends on vehicle weight, driving style, and road surfaces, but front tires and rear tires wear differently. All-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive vehicles have different wear patterns. No matter the type of tires you have, rotation ensures they’re evenly worn. Most tires need rotating every 8000 kilometres, but some manufacturers have different recommendations listed in your owner’s manual.

Tire balancing and wheel alignment are different services that often go along with rotation. Tire balancing checks for weight differences in the wheels and equalizes them. Wheel alignment focuses on the mechanisms keeping the wheels in position. Though the three services are different, they all affect tire lifespan and your vehicle’s handling.

The Importance of Regular Tire Rotation

Uneven tire wear can cause more than just flat tires. These touch on the biggest reasons to get regular tire rotations.

Safety

When the tire tread wears down, it has less grip on the road’s surface. It makes the vehicle harder to control and more likely to lose traction, especially in adverse weather conditions. Canadian winters are dangerous without good tires. Tire rotations spread the wear evenly, instead of wearing down one area of one or two tires until they fail.

Tire Lifespan

Regular tire rotation can extend the life of your tires by up to 20%. There’s much less chance of a single point of failure and less strain on the other three tires.

Vehicle Performance

Good traction improves your vehicle’s performance by making it easier to maneuver and brake. Even tread depth also makes for a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Fuel Economy

 If there’s uneven tire wear, your engine makes up for it by working harder. Evenly distributed wear lessens the strain and improves your gas mileage.

Warranties

 If your new tires come with a warranty, the terms probably require regular tire rotations. It might void your warranty if you miss recommended services on a regular basis.

Finding Tire Services in Saskatchewan

TreadNation in Saskatoon offers tire services, new tires sold at cost, and tire storage. They rotate tires for free after purchase and with season tire changes. Canada’s weather can make it hard to choose between all-weather tires, winter tires, or summer tires, but TreadNation works with you to make an informed selection. Call us if your vehicle’s tires need some attention.