How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

How often should you rotate your tires? In most cases, a tire rotation is recommended once every 5,000 – 7,500 miles. While this is a great rule of thumb, how many miles to rotate tires isn’t an exact figure for everyone. Luckily, Suntrup Nissan is here to offer insight into when to rotate your tires, so your commute from St Louis to Jefferson County remains smooth. Learn more with our service team below!

Rotating Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles

Tire rotations will vary based on your drivetrain. If you drive a front-wheel drive (FWD) or a rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicle, it means that the engine power is sent to either the front or rear tires. Whichever set of tires is the recipient of the engine output will generally wear down faster than the other set. So, knowing when to rotate tires starts with understanding your drivetrain. For a FWD or RWD, keep the following tips in mind:

• For FWD and RWD models, tire rotations should be performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Your owner’s manual will likely offer more exact figures. 
• If you’re taking on your own FWD tire rotation, flip sides when moving the rear tires. For example, the rear left tire will go to the front right. However, keep the tires on the same side when moving them to the back. 
• For a RWD model, flip the process above. Switch sides when moving the front tires to the back, but keep them on the same side when moving the back tires to the front. 
• Be mindful of your driving habits. If you frequently travel off-road, you may need to visit us for more frequent tire rotations. 
• 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 Suntrup Nissan to get a better idea of a maintenance schedule that fits your driving habits.

AWD Tire Rotation Tips

How often should you rotate your tires if you have an all-wheel drive (AWD) model? Since the power from your engine is sent to all of your tires, your tire rotations need to follow a specific pattern at closer intervals. Most of the time, tire rotations are recommended once every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for AWD owners. Now that you know how many miles to rotate tires on your AWD vehicle, you can prepare for your service schedule much easier. If you decide to attempt an AWD tire rotation in your St Charles driveway, follow these steps:

1. The left rear goes to the right front spot.
2. The right rear goes to the left front spot.
3. The right front goes to the left rear spot.
4. The left front goes to the right rear spot.

While this process is easy enough to learn, it can be difficult to handle all by yourself. If you’re not seasoned with DIY car care, learning when to rotate tires is a great start. From there, you can schedule service with our team where we can handle the hard work for you!

Why Rotate Tires?

Now that you know how often you should rotate your tires, you might be wondering why you should even bother in the first place. Well, tire rotations will extend the life of your tires. Along with that, you can expect:

• Improved traction on St Charles roads
• Less road noise
• Mitigate unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

Get Your Tire Advice in St. Louis

Curious about how many miles to rotate tires for your vehicle and driving habits? Our team can teach you when to rotate tires so you can keep your vehicle in pristine shape. Visit our Suntrup Nissan service center near St Louis for all things automotive. Need advice? Get in touch with us at your convenience.

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