How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Our experts in our Metro Ford Sales Inc service center are frequently asked, “How often should you rotate your tires and how many miles to rotate tires?” There isn’t a specific answer to this question, and that is roughly 5,000 to 7,500 miles. You can rely on our team at Metro Ford Sales Inc for all the details on when to rotate tires and the patterns according to your specific drivetrain, as well as when it’s time to rotate your tires, and you should be sure to schedule your service appointment in Schenectady when it’s time for a rotation.

When to Rotate Tires: FWD & RWD 

If you have a FWD or RWD drivetrain, the power from the engine is sent to the front wheels and rear wheels respectively. Due to the power being sent to one set of tires with these drivetrains, that set will wear down faster. Even though there are differences in which set wears down faster, the basic premise is the same of the FWD and RWD drivetrains, so here are the specifics on when to rotate tires and how with FWD and RWD vehicles:

1. Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Look at the details in your owner’s manual for specifics.
2. If you’re performing the tire rotation yourself, the steps are as follows for FWD drivetrains: move the rear tires to the front and flip sides, so the rear right tire goes to the front left and the rear left goes to the front right. When you move the front tires back, they can stay on the same side. This is called the forward cross pattern.
3. With a RWD vehicle you will need to perform the rearward cross, which is just the opposite of the forward cross. Move the front tires directly back, then the back tires forward, switching sides while you do so.
4. If you frequently drive on rough or unpaved roads in Colonie, Albany, and Latham, then you will probably need to rotate your tires more often. Our team at Metro Ford Sales Inc in Schenectady can develop a maintenance plan adapted to your vehicle’s usage.

When to Rotate Tires: AWD Vehicles

How many miles to rotate tires is a bit different with AWD vehicles. All-wheel drive vehicles wear down and rotate differently than RWD or FWD vehicles. You will probably need to rotate your tires more often, ranging between 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every 6 months. You can refer to your owner’s manual for specific vehicle recommendations for your Ford model. In this case, when you’re performing a tire rotation, the rear tires move forward and switch sides and the front tires move backwards and switch sides. 

Learn More About How Many Miles to Rotate Tires with Metro Ford Sales Inc

It’s important when you want to be safe on Latham roads to ensure your vehicle is maintained. Tire rotations allow you to maintain traction, minimize the stress on your vehicle, and make your drives in Schenectady more enjoyable. If you’re still curious about how many miles to rotate your tires specifically, contact our team at Metro Ford Sales Inc today! Learn more by visiting our service & parts tips hub!