How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Person changing a car tire, showing the wheel removed and exposed brake disc.

How often should you rotate your tires? Generally, tire rotation has an interval of 8,000 km to 12,875 km. Though this is a good ground rule, for exact figures on your model you should always check your owner’s manual. Still curious when to rotate tires? Read through this simple guide from the folks at Capital Ford Lincoln, your trusted service centre.

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Rotating Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles

The designations of front-wheel and rear-wheel drive simply mean where power from the engine is sent. For a front-wheel drive car, it is sent to the front tires, while in a rear-wheel drive car, it is sent to the rear tires. This means the set of tires getting the bulk of the engine power will wear faster than the others. Should you drive a FWD or RWD vehicle, keep these tire rotation tips in mind:

For FWD or RWD cars, tire rotation needs to be performed every 8,000 km to 12,000 km. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for exact figures.
If you’re performing a FWD tire rotation yourself, keep in mind to flip sides when moving the rear tires. For example, the rear right tire will go on the front left. However, when moving the front tires to the back, keep them on the same side.
When rotating tires on an RWD car, invert the process above. Flip sides when moving the front tires to the back, but keep the rear tires on the same side when moving them forward.
Keep in mind how you drive, like off-roading, will affect how often you need to rotate your tires. Talk with the service experts at Capital Ford Lincoln to get a better idea of a maintenance schedule that fits your driving habits.

AWD Tire Rotation Tips

If you have an all-wheel drive (AWD) Ford model, then your vehicle will have different tire rotation than FWD or RWD vehicles. Since power from your engine is sent to every wheel when you engage AWD, the rotation will need to be done in a specific way and in closer intervals. Most AWD tires need to be rotated every 5,000 miles-8,000 km if you use AWD regularly. You’ll also follow these tips when rotating your tires at home:

The left rear goes to the right front spot.
The right rear goes to the left front spot.
The right front goes to the left rear spot.
The left front goes to the right rear spot.

To make this process easier, we recommend drawing a simple diagram of your drivetrain and using colour-coded arrows to help you move your tires properly. If you prefer to have a professional team rotate your tires, though, you can always schedule service at Capital Ford Lincoln!

Why Rotate Tires?

Now that you know when to rotate tires, you may be wondering why rotate them at all. Common knowledge will tell you tire rotation extends the life of your tires. Beyond that, regular tire rotation gives your vehicle additional benefits:

Improved traction on slippery roads
Less noise on the road
Relieves unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

To be better prepared for hazardous weather, keep tire rotations as part of your maintenance plan. Remember that properly caring for your tires doesn’t mean they’ll last forever. If you’re in need of a replacement, our tire centre can help you out!

Get Your Tire Advice From Capital Ford Lincoln

For any information regarding tire care, contact us online or call us today at 833-945-3313. Our certified technicians are always standing by to help answer your questions and solve your problems.