Learn the proper way to rotate tires

Rotating tires is something that many people do religiously while others put off the task until they notice a problem with the car's performance. An important component of vehicle upkeep, rotating tires not only extends the life of the tires, but it also helps ensure safer driving.

There are some who are unfamiliar about how and when to rotate the tires and the benefits this routine maintenance can provide. This also could be a factor in why people procrastinate on tire rotation.

One may not realize that the front tires often bear the brunt of the work in vehicle operation. Making turns or parallel parking requires the force of the front tires. Vehicles that are front-wheel-drive have front tires that supply the main motive power for the vehicle, according to Edmunds.com. The frequent use and requirements of the tires produces friction on the road, and eventually heat. The front tires wear more quickly than the rear tires. In order to extend the life of the tires, drivers must periodically rotate them.

Tire rotation essentially means moving the front tires to the rear and vice-versa. This means the front passenger side tire will be moved to the back passenger side position. The same thing will occur on the driver's side. There's a reason for this. Tires have unique wear patterns that are related to the suspension and the alignment. Should you switch the tires in a criss-cross pattern, it could affect the alignment and lead to a bumpy ride.

These scenarios can depend on the vehicle and the tire, however. Certain vehicles have tires of different sizes in the rear and front, which prevents front-to-back rotation. There are also cars that have tires that are unidirectional, where they are specific to one side of the car and asymmetrical, with a tread pattern that changes from the inside of the tire to the outside. Though these tires are rare, you can't rotate them at all.

Tire rotation is adviseable to preserve balanced handling, traction and even outer tire wear. But how often should it be done? Many tires should be rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, even if they don't show signs of wear. Some service stations will do tire rotation at the same time that oil changes are done because the car is already on a lift.

Don't expect tire rotation to correct wear problems due to worn mechanical parts or as the result of improper inflation pressure. Rotation is not the only tire maintenance task to do to ensure safe tires.

Consult with a service station to determine the best pattern for rotating your tires and the ideal time interval between rotations.