Driving every day makes it easy to take your car's tires for granted until you get a flat. But, as your car's only contact with the road, they play a crucial role in your vehicle's handling and braking and the safety of you and your passengers. That's why taking care of your tires with regular inspections and rotations is essential.Â
Simply stated, tire rotation is the process of periodically moving each wheel to a different position on the vehicle to promote even wear. At our Tameron Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat service center, our specialists provide tire service to make sure that your car is safe to drive on Daphne roads. But what's the tire rotation procedure, how often should it be done, and why trust us with this vital job? Keep reading to find out.
Why Have Your Tires Rotated?
 Every time you drive, whatever the road and weather conditions, your car's performance and safety depend on four small areas of rubber that keep you in contact with the road. Your tires need a minimum tread depth to perform efficiently, but your safety can be compromised when the tread deteriorates or wears unevenly. Regular rotation helps each tire to wear evenly, improves handling, reduces vibration and road noise, and extends its life span.
Tires wear differently depending on what type of vehicle you drive. On a front-wheel-drive car, the front tires work hard to transfer the power to the road, steer, brake, and usually support the engine's weight. With rear-wheel drive, the front wheels are used for steering and braking, while the rear propels the vehicle. You might assume that tires on an all-wheel-drive vehicle will wear more evenly - however, the power shifts between the front and rear wheels, creating uneven wear.
By rotating your tires, the wear is evened out, and their life is prolonged. It's also the ideal time to inspect them and the wheels for damage thoroughly. You can quickly check the outside of the tires, but the inside surfaces are more challenging to see without removing the wheels. An inspection can reveal damaged wheel rims or dangerous problems such as cupping on the tread or bulging on the sidewall.
Tire Cupping
Tire cupping is uneven tread wear commonly caused by worn suspension or shock absorbers. Instead of rolling smoothly on the road, the tire bounces, creating uneven pressure points on the tread. Unbalanced, misaligned, or low-quality tires can also cause cupping. This problem can affect your car's ride, steering, and braking performance.
Bulging
A bulge in your tire's sidewall often results from hitting one of the many potholes on our Alabama roads. The impact compresses the tire, and air can get into the sidewall structure, creating a bulge or blister, which becomes a weak spot on the tire. If a bulge goes unnoticed or is ignored, it could potentially result in a blowout that could cause an accident.
How Often Should Tires Be Rotated?
Generally, your tires should be rotated every six months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles. However, if you do a lot of heavy braking and acceleration, high-speed driving, or off-road driving, you might need a tire rotation every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you're in any doubt, the tire experts in our Tameron Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat service center will be happy to advise you.
Tire Rotation Patterns
Three tire rotation patterns are recommended for vehicles fitted with standard tires, depending on your car's drivetrain.Â
- Front-wheel drive: Move the front wheels to the rear axle on the same side of the car. Swap the rear wheels to the front, but on the opposite side.
- Rear-wheel drive: Swap the rear wheels to the front on the same side. Move the front wheels diagonally to the opposite rear corner.
- All-wheel drive: Move both front wheels to the opposite rear corner and both rear wheels to the opposite front corner.
Special procedures apply if your car has different-sized tires at the front and rear or unidirectional tires. Consult our professional service technicians for advice.
Why Have Your Tires Rotated at Our Dealership?
When you buy a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or Fiat, you can be confident it's been manufactured to the highest standards, with all the components set up to work in perfect harmony. Your car's steering, suspension, and tires are designed to optimize the ride, handling, and braking performance.
When it comes to tire rotation, you can visit your local tire center, but the mechanics there may not have the specialized knowledge about your car that our team of professionals does. They aim for a quick turnaround and could miss vital signs of a problem. Uneven tire wear could be caused by unbalanced wheels or misalignment, but it might also indicate an issue with the steering or suspension.
Nobody knows your car better than the professional factory-trained technicians at our Tameron Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat service center. Our technicians inspect the tires and wheels for damage and wear when we carry out a tire rotation. If they detect a problem, they'll assess the cause and recommend a remedy, which could save you money in the long term. And we'll make sure your wheels are properly balanced and aligned.
If you need new tires, we offer the type and brand recommended by your car's manufacturer for optimum grip and performance. These are just a few reasons you should always have your tire rotation done at our trustworthy dealership.
Tameron Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat Service Center
At Tameron Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat in Daphne, Alabama, our factory-trained technicians are ready to take care of all your service and maintenance needs, including tire rotations. Our state-of-the-art service center has the latest tools and equipment, and we supply genuine original equipment manufacturer parts specifically designed for your vehicle. Schedule a service by filling out our online form today or by simply calling us. Don't forget to check out our service specials for wheel and tire offers.
Vehicle Tire by Mike B is licensed with Pexels
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