Tire Rotation in Chillicothe at Hometown Chillicothe

Tire Rotation for Any Vehicle

We're prepared to care for your tire rotation, regardless of the vehicle at Hometown Chillicothe. However, many Ohioans are curious about the details behind their tire rotations. Below, we'll answer some common questions you may have about your next tire rotation. How Often to Rotate Your Tires Bringing your vehicle in for maintenance can feel like a chore, especially when there isn't anything immediately apparent that needs to be addressed. Tire rotations are among these and can be easily overlooked without the usual telltale clanks or even check engine light to tell you it's time to bring your car in for service. However, it's vital both to the health of your tires and also your car as a whole that you get your vehicle in for semi-regular tire rotations.

The Ideal Interval

Each manufacturer has a different specific recommended time frame for tire rotations. These recommendations can be found in the owner's manual. However, the general rule of thumb is to have a tire rotation between every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This time frame keeps your tires in it for the long run and prevents a costly future tire purchase. However, if you notice any of the signs below, you should bring your car in right away for a checkup and possibly a tire rotation.

Possible Signs

The ultimate goal of rotating tires is to make sure the tires wear evenly. If it's been a while since your last tire rotation, or you don't even remember when you last had one, you're increasing the risk of signs signifying uneven tread wear. You can notice one of these signs just by looking at the tires on your car or truck

If you notice worn tread in some areas but not in others on a single tire, this is a sign that you may need a tire rotation. In addition, if you notice that the wear is uneven between different tires and doesn't look the same from tire to tire, it's time for a tire rotation. The best way to look at this is by examining the tread depth. If it's shallow, it's worn! If your car vibrates while driving, especially on the highway, this could be a sign that you need a tire rotation as well. It is important to note, though, that if your tires are bald, it's unfortunately time for a new set of tires.

Are Tire Rotations the Same for Every Car?

Many Ohioans are curious about the processes that go into a tire rotation. Are tire rotations the same each time for each car? Do all cars go through the same rotation process regardless of the size and vehicle manufacturer? Below we'll get into the details of what you may be curious about with regard to your next tire rotation. Always remember that our award-winning service department staff at Hometown Chillicothe is happy to explain exactly what needs to be done to get the perfect tire rotation done on your car. 

Tire Rotation Patterns

There are a variety of rotation patterns used to make sure your tires last as long as possible. The specific rotation pattern used depends on the type of vehicle, whether there are non-directional tires, directional tires, a spare tire, and more. While we'll take care of the details when you bring your vehicle in for a tire rotation at Hometown of Chillicothe, we're empowering you with the information to know what's happening when your mechanic rotates your tires.

Front-wheel drive vehicles

Front-wheel drive cars drive differently from other vehicles because the power comes from the front wheel tires used to turn; there is a lot of wear on the front axle tires. As a result, there are specific patterns to prevent uneven wear in the tires for front-wheel drive cars. The first of these is the frontward cross, where the rear tires are crossed and moved forward, and the front tires are moved back. Additionally, the x-pattern can be used for front-wheel drive vehicles, which resembles the frontward cross, except all tires switch sides.

Rear-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive, and All-Wheel Drive Vehicles

There are additional rotation patterns used for rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles, mainly because all of the power is not coming from the wheels that are turning. While the x-pattern is also used here, a rearward cross pattern can be used as well. The rearward cross involves trading between the front and rear axles. However, the left front tire is moved to the rear right position and the opposite with the right front tire. The rear axle tires are simply moved forward in this pattern.

Spare Tire

Suppose your vehicle has more than a temporary spare and is equipped with a full-sized spare tire. Different rotation patterns can be used to incorporate that tire into the mix of things, prolonging the life of your tires overall. The full-sized matching spare is put into the same pattern that would already be used with your vehicle.

Dual Rear Wheels and Sports Cars

With a vehicle like a sports car with same-size directional wheels, a front-to-back or front-to-rear tire rotation pattern is often used, where tires are traded between front and rear axles. These patterns are due to the differences between directional and non-directional tires. Some sports cars and other vehicles have different-sized tires as well. When this occurs, tires are often traded along the axle in a side-to-side tire rotation pattern.

In addition, if your vehicle has dual rear wheels, there is naturally a different rotation pattern that must be used. However, many variations exist of regular tire rotation patterns that often involve, for example, swapping the left tires on the rear axle and then using one of the same rotation patterns. Hometown Chillicothe: The Hometown Advantage If you're getting your next car from Hometown Chillicothe, you're in good hands with the Hometown Advantage Warranty. With this warranty, you'll get two free tire rotations with the purchase of a vehicle, among various other benefits. We also have excellent financing options to make your next car dream come true. Check us out soon at Hometown Chillicothe!