How Much Does It Cost For Tire Rotation
Perhaps the most often overlooked vehicle maintenance task is tire rotation. This is a shame because rotating your tires is essential to getting the best performance and life from a very pricey item. In this story, we will tell you everything you need to know about rotating tires. Has TikTok reduced your attention span to just one paragraph of reading? *Then we will tell you right now that the cost to rotate tires on your vehicle ranges from free to about $150. *
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What is Meant By “Rotating Tires?”
“Don’t my tires rotate the whole time I’m driving?”
Yes, your tires technically do rotate as they go round and round. We all learned this in grade school with the school bus song. However, the term “rotate tires” has a specific meaning. It refers to moving the tires around the vehicle’s four corners periodically so that they wear evenly.
You may not realize it, but the way your tires sit on the ground is not the same on the front and rear of your vehicle. Since it is slightly different, the tires’ tread wears a certain way. By rotating them, you can use the tread more effectively and get the longest lifespan out of your tires. In addition, rotating tires will ensure that your vehicle tracks straighter down the road on the highway.
How Often Do I Need To Rotate My Tires?
Most vehicle owner’s manuals recommend tires be rotated every oil change. Some vehicles have a more frequent rotation interval. For example, Tesla recommends rotating tires every 6,250 miles or when tread depth varies more than 2/32s.
How Much Does It Cost To Have Tires Rotated, and Where Can I Get It Done Free?
Rotating tires is not difficult and can be performed by any worker in any big-box store (Costco), any tire and brake specialty outlet, muffler chain, or oil change shop - unless something goes wrong. If a lug nut binds or shears off the hub bolt, you will most likely need to go to another, more skill-oriented shop to deal with the repair. Of course, your dealer can also rotate your tires, and you may find that the price is very competitive.
Many tire shops offer free tire rotation coupons, and many also offer free rotations for life with the purchase of a set of tires from them. You can’t beat free. At the other end of the scale are the folks who specialize in higher-end automobiles and who will primarily use hand tools and torque wrenches to re-torque your lug nuts. Expect to be charged over $100 for their services. Why are they better? Simply because they take the time to ensure your lug nuts are not cross-threaded, improperly replaced, or over-tightened.
We spoke with Jay Condrick, the owner of Boston Mobile Tire, who told us that most of the rotations the company does are actually season tire swaps. For example, when an existing customer removes winter tires and wheels and then puts on summer or all-season rubber (or vice versa). Boston Mobile Tire charges $150 for a tire rotation but often refers customers to their dealer or mechanic’s shop for rotations. “Our business model is centered around convenience and saving our customers time. Because of that, we often suggest to customers that they do a rotation when in for an oil change or other service.”
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*On-site charge
Some Background On Tire Designs
Not all tires can be rotated the same way. Some tires, called “directional tires,” have a tread designed to roll one way. The Michelin CrossClimate2 is a perfect example. Tires like these can only be rotated front to back and not side to side. On some vehicles, such as the Volkswagen ID.4 and Chevrolet Corvette, the tires may not be the same size front and rear. In this case, the tires can only be rotated from side to side.
How Are Tires Rotated?
Rotating tires is relatively simple. A technician raises the car with either jacks or a lift and then removes the lug nuts. The tires are then moved from one location to another on the car, depending on the model and the type of tires involved. The lug nuts are then put back on properly, including using a torque wrench or similar tool, and then the tire pressure monitoring sensing system is reprogrammed to let the car know which tire is where if that car has a system that uses such technology. All but the last step is easy to do at home. Jay Condrick wanted us to remind owners to remember to reset the tire pressure. It is not uncommon for the manufacturer’s setting to be different from front to rear.
Should I Rotate My Spare Tire As Well?
Full-size matching spare tires are extremely rare today. Only a handful of models have them. The Jeep Wrangler comes to mind as one example. If your car has a full-size matching spare, rotating the fifth wheel into the mix can work great. Most owners never do so.
Do I Need My Tires Balanced Or An Alignment Every Time I Rotate Them?
It is not necessary to re-balance your tires or perform a four-wheel alignment when you rotate your tires. We asked the service manager at 495 Mazda near Boston how often he suggests a tire re-balancing and alignment, and he told Car Talk, “When the tires are new or every 30,000 miles unless a problem comes up that points to balancing or alignment as a solution.”
My Mechanic Said There Was a Problem Rotating My Tires - Is This a Scam?
While rotating tires can be very simple, problems do arise. Frozen lug nuts and broken off hub bolts are the two most common issues. Mechanics should also be inspecting your tires (and brakes) visually when they rotate tires. Those inspections often reveal issues such as objects stuck in the tire, uneven treadwear, or tire damage such as sidewall bulges or tears. Don’t kill the messenger.
Can I Rotate My Own Tires? What Tools Do I Need To Rotate My Tires?
If you have a strong back and one hour of time, you can rotate your own tires. Your owner’s manual will have the instructions, or you can use a YouTube video as your guide. You will need a wrench and socket to remove the lug nuts. Often called a “breaker bar,” a long handle wrench offers added leverage to make that job manageable. A torque wrench is the right tool for lug nut tightening. If your car has a TPMS indicator that shows the pressure at each wheel, you may want to leave the job to your mechanic. Ask your dealer if the tires will automagically recognize the new position of the TPMS sensor. It is unlikely. Most TPMS sensors don’t care where they are on the vehicle.
Safety Tip - You will need either jack stands or blocks to ensure that if your jack slips, the car will not slam down on you or its brake rotors. Always ensure your vehicle is on a solid flat surface with the parking brake set and wheels chocked.
Read more on the topic of Owning a Car here.
Read more on the Best Tires in the industry here.
Read more on the Best Tire Brands in the industry here.
