When people think about vehicle safety the first things that come to mind might be airbags, brakes, seat belts or even motion sensors. Tyres are something that for the most part we take for granted – they just work until suddenly they don’t.
They’re our literal connection to the road however and the condition of your tyres will dictate how well your car handles, especially under tricky conditions. If you want to maintain optimum vehicle safety year-round, the one thing you can’t look past is tyre rotation.
What is tyre rotation?
Tyre rotation is the process of switching out your front tyres with those in the rear. We do this because the tyres on your car all work at different rates meaning they’ll wear differently.
Generally, the tyres in the front of your car work significantly harder than those in the rear because they wear the burden of having to brake, accelerate and turn whereas the tyres in the rear merely follow suit. Rotating your tyres redistributes that burden and ensures that they will wear down evenly.
Not all cars can have their tyres rotated however, many performance vehicles use staggered tyre sizing or directional tyres, whereby the tyres are unique to each section of the vehicle. For most general-purpose vehicles tyre rotation is recommended. If you’re unsure we suggest contacting your local tyre specialist.
How often should you rotate your tyres?
You should rotate your tyres every 10,000kms or 6 months, whichever arrives first. Every manufacturer however recommends practices unique to the individual vehicle – these can be found in your owner’s manual.
“Make things easier for yourself and book your car in for a tyre rotation next time you have it serviced” says Aaron Scagliotta, Director (Gino’s Panel and Paint). “By doing so you don’t have to coordinate a separate time to drop your car off and will guarantee your tyres are keeping you safe all the time”.
What are the benefits of rotating your car tyres?
Tyres are expensive! Save money on new tyres by evenly distributing the wear and extending the life on your existing set.
Reduce the chance of a tyre blowout or failure.
Better traction and balanced handling, especially important in wet conditions.
Evenly worn tyres will put less stress on your vehicle’s overall performance and decrease chances of complications arising.
Better fuel mileage on your car. Cars that receive regular tyre rotations use less fuel because your tyres don’t have to work as hard.
How much does it cost to have your tyres rotated?
It costs as little as $50 for a wheel balance and tyre rotation. A wheel alignment will cost from $88.
Can I rotate my car tyres myself?
It is possible to do it yourself, providing you have the space and the right tools at your disposal. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing the process can be lengthy and potentially dangerous.
Like anything particularly technical to do with your vehicle we suggest you leave it to the professionals to ensure the job gets done right the first time. Gino’s Tyres & Wheels use a state-of-the-art European tyre changer that makes no contact with your wheels, ensuring that there is no damage caused by tyre levers.
If you can’t remember the last time you had your tyres rotated it’s probably a good sign your car is overdue. Get in touch with the friendly team at Gino’s in South Fremantle to book your next tyre rotation and ensure your vehicle’s safety and performance for longer.