United Tire and Service News

Your vehicle relies on good traction to maintain control and drive properly. To ensure the best traction and a longer tire life, tire rotation is essential maintenance. The type of tire rotation patterns used vary based on the various types of drivetrains in vehicles and the types of tires used. Most drive systems are front-wheel, rear-wheel, or four-wheel. Differences in drivetrains partly determine the proper tire rotation patterns for the best results and longest tire life. In general, though, the idea is to put the tires with the greatest amount of tread on the rear to help maintain control.

 

Most car owners have front-wheel drive systems that use CV axles up front to deliver power to your wheels. With the front wheels undergoing the most power delivery from your engine, the front wheels rotate directly to the respective rear wheel. The rear wheels, though, cross-rotate to the front. The rear passenger-side tire rotates up to the front driver side. The rear driver-side tire rotates up to the front passenger side. That helps to even out the effects of your drive wheels and steering systems focused on the same tires while traveling. The combination of power delivery and alternating forces from steering and turning your front-wheel drive car put a lot of additional stress and wear and tear on the front tires. Proper rotation helps to balance out any wear and tear.

 

If you drive a truck or similar vehicle that commonly has either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems, the same rotation pattern applies. The rear wheels simply rotate up to the front wheels. The front wheels, though, cross-rotate to the rear in an X pattern. So, the front passenger-side wheel winds up on the rear driver-side wheel. The front driver-side wheel winds up on the rear passenger-side wheel. That helps to even out the tire wear normally affecting the front tires differently than when mounted on the rear.

 

If you ever use tires specifically designed for the climate in which you live, such as snow tires or wet weather tires, you have directional tires on your wheels. Those tires help to maintain traction in bad weather. Their designs better enable them to shed water and snow, while maintaining traction in wet conditions. If your car has four directional tires of the same size mounted, the tires simply rotate front to rear on the same side. The rear tires, likewise, rotate to the front on the same side.

 

The friendly staff at United Tire can schedule your tire rotation as soon as today. United Tire is a group of 13 independently owned tire shops in the Greater Philadelphia area. We also have a great selection of top-brand tires to ensure the best fit for your car and budget.