How Much Does a Tire Rotation Cost?
Tire rotations are one of those things that most people have heard of, but not everyone understands what exactly they are, why they’re needed, and how much they cost.
In this article, we’ll explain all of that, so you can feel confident knowing that your tires are properly cared for and in safe condition to drive on.
What is a Tire Rotation?
Yes, your tires do rotate every time you drive. No, that’s not the kind of rotation we’re talking about.
Instead, we’re discussing rotating the tire’s positions on the vehicle. This is done to help distribute tread wear equally among the four tires, which helps to maximize their lifespan and keep your vehicle safe to drive.
For example, on the majority of vehicles (front-wheel drive specifically), the pattern often consists of switching the front and rear tires as well as moving the fronts to the opposite side (i.e. passenger side to driver side, driver side to passenger). The pattern will vary depending on your vehicle’s drivetrain, tire type, and size differences between the front and rear.
Why Do I Need Tire Rotations?
Tire tread is responsible for creating traction between your vehicle and the road surface, meaning that when the tread is low or uneven, you’ll experience inferior braking, traction, and handling performance. While this may not be very noticeable at first, it’ll gradually worsen and can land you in some unsafe situations.
This is why tire rotations are so crucial, as they help even out the wear and optimize tread life, giving your tires better performance and safety, and prolonging their life. Keeping up on tire rotations can help save you money by reducing premature tire replacement..
Which tires on your vehicle wear down faster than others is mostly dependent on the drive type. For example, front-wheel drive vehicles (most economy/commuter cars) wear down the front two tires faster than the rear. The opposite is true on rear-wheel drive, where the rear tires will be worn at a faster rate.
On all-wheel drive vehicles, the front two tires will deteriorate slightly quicker than the rear, as the fronts receive the majority of wear during handling and braking.
How Are Tire Rotations Done?
As stated earlier, one of the most common patterns for a tire rotation is to flip the front and rear while simultaneously flipping the new front tire to the opposite side. This is just one of the various patterns for tire rotations used on modern vehicles.
The pattern used on your car depends on the drive type (FWD, RWD, etc.) and the type of tread on the tires (directional vs. non-directional). There are various patterns and methods used, but two of the most common are pictured below.
How Much Does a Tire Rotation Cost?
Luckily, tire rotations are generally one of the cheapest services you can do on your vehicle. While it depends on the make and model as well as the shop you’re having it done at, you can expect to pay anywhere between $20 to $100 for a basic rotation on most cars and trucks.
Luxury and larger vehicles may require a premium for tire rotations, as the process can be more difficult for these. In certain situations, you could end up paying up to over $100 for your rotation.
It’s usually a good idea to have your alignment done simultaneously with other similar services, such as an alignment and balance. This will cost extra but is often cheaper than having both services done individually.
Tire Rotations in Toledo & Whitehouse
If you’re looking for efficient and affordable tire rotations in the Toledo area, look no further than Toledo Tire & Auto Care! Our technicians have the equipment and experience to properly rotate, balance, and align your tires and wheels. Need to get new tires? Toldeo Tire & Auto Care is your go-to for tires around Toledo, Ohio. Call or schedule online at any of our three locations today!