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Bringing your vehicle to a trusted service center for regular maintenance is one of the most important things you can do as a vehicle owner. Maintenance services can keep your car in great shape for many years, allowing you to get more value out of it. Common service items include oil changes, brake pad replacements, engine oil flushes, and wiper blade replacements. Among all the services your car needs, one you may overlook is tire rotation.
Continue reading as our team at Planet Ford Dallas explains what tire rotation is, how often you should rotate your vehicle's tires, how long a tire rotation service takes, and how to schedule your next tire rotation with our experienced service team.
Tire rotations are an essential part of properly maintaining your vehicle. Rotating the tires means taking a vehicle's tires and switching their positions. For example, the right-front tire may go to the back-left position, while the back-left tire goes to the back-right, and so on. Car manufacturers recommend rotating the tires roughly as often as you get an oil change, or about every 5,000 miles or so.
The correct way to change the position of the tires depends on whether your vehicle is front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive. In addition, tire rotations typically require specialized tools to do them safely and quickly, such as a vehicle lift. So we recommend bringing your vehicle to a service station for a tire rotation rather than attempting to do it yourself.
Getting regular tire rotations provides a few benefits to your vehicle and your driving experience, including the following:
For starters, regularly rotating your vehicle's tires helps them to last longer. As you drive, friction slowly wears down the tread but usually not evenly on all four tires. For example, the front tires may wear down more quickly if you don't typically have passengers in the back. How the tread on your car's tires wears down depends on the weight distribution of your vehicle, its drivetrain, and your driving habits.
When you rotate the tires, you help them to last longer as they take turns in different positions. So if the front tires are wearing down quickly, they get a break by going to the back and vice-versa. The longer your car's tires last, the less money you'll have to spend on tire replacements while you own your vehicle, which can help lower the costs associated with vehicle maintenance.
In addition to helping your vehicle's tires last longer, rotating them also gives you a safer driving experience on the roads in Dallas. Tires in good condition can grip the road better, which is vital when driving in slippery conditions during the rainy season in Dallas or when applying brakes. If you don't rotate the tires, you risk getting a flat tire while driving or not having enough traction when you suddenly need to hit the brakes. Keep yourself and your passengers safe by remembering to rotate your car's tires at the suggested intervals.
Finally, tire rotations can help improve fuel efficiency. One of the factors contributing to your vehicle's fuel efficiency is the condition of the tires. More tread on the tires means better grip, which makes it easier for your car to move forward without straining the engine. While other factors certainly impact fuel efficiency, anything you can do to improve it will help you save money on gas during your vehicle's life span.
With the hectic pace of life in Dallas, you may be concerned about adding more to your schedule, but bringing your vehicle in for tire rotation isn't time-consuming. If you scheduled an appointment with the service center or they're not too busy with other vehicles when you stop by, you can usually get back on the road in around 30 to 45 minutes.
You may need to plan for a longer visit if you also schedule other services, such as an oil change or battery replacement. But even with these additional small maintenance updates, it shouldn't take too long, as tire rotation is a standard process that experienced technicians can do quickly.
There are two times when you should bring your vehicle in for a tire rotation. The first is at the interval your vehicle manufacturer recommends. For most vehicles, this is around the same time as an oil change or every 5,000 miles. If you don't know when you last changed the oil, check for a sticker on the inside of the windshield or contact the location where you typically take your vehicle, as they may have a record of your last visit.
Other than scheduling service at the recommended intervals, you should also bring your vehicle in for tire rotation if you've detected issues because of worn tires. For example, you may have noticed a decreased fuel efficiency or that your car is veering toward one side as you drive. You might also have observed that the tires don't have as much tread on one side as the other. Once you start seeing signs like this, be sure to schedule a maintenance visit at your local service station so they can check if a tire rotation service would help.
Planet Ford Dallas is here to help if you're in the Dallas area and it's time to schedule a tire rotation for your vehicle. Our well-trained, experienced service team is happy to help with all your vehicle needs, including tire rotations, brake maintenance, oil changes, state inspections, and more. At Planet Ford Dallas, we ensure your vehicle promptly receives the proper care it needs. To get started, you can schedule a visit to our service center today or contact us with any questions about our service packages.
