Many automakers recommend that your car's tires be rotated on the same schedule as its oil changes. In most cases, this means every 7,500 miles or six months, though some automakers have stretched the oil-change interval to 10,000 miles. Rotating your tires when you get the oil changed is good, assuming you do that at least once a year; you should do it more often if you drive, say, more than 10,000 miles annually. Unless you drive fewer than about 7,500 miles per year, you should probably rotate tires every six months or so.
The tires mounted on the drive wheels of any vehicle perform extra duty because they apply the power to the pavement. On front-wheel-drive vehicles that is amplified by the weight of the engine and transmission, and because the front tires do most of the work in turns. Rotating the tires between front and rear a couple of times a year spreads out the burden so they wear evenly. Automakers that offer all-wheel-drive cars also recommend rotating tires.
How do I know it's time to rotate my tires?
You can't tell only by looking that it's time to rotate them, so following a regular schedule will help your tires wear evenly and last longer. This applies whether you have front-, rear- or all-wheel drive.
How often should I rotate my tires?
Tire manufacturers typically recommend rotating tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Moving the tires from front to back (and side to side in some cases) evens out wear and extends tire life. A good guideline is every 6,000 miles or every six months.
Why do I need to rotate my tires?
Rotating the tires helps tires wear more evenly and last longer – and can save money because you won't need new tires as often.
How much should I pay?
The cost of repairs can depend on where you are as much as it does on what you need fixed. To get an estimate for your repair, go to our estimator, plug in your car's year, make and model information, add your ZIP code, and choose the repair you need. We'll give you a range for what your repairs should cost in your area.
