How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Many maintenance schedules list a mileage interval for rotating tires, and it typically coincides with a scheduled oil change. That’s because the car is usually hoisted up on a rack to change the oil, making it the most convenient time to rotate the tires. Although a typical tire-rotation interval is 5,000 to 10,000 miles, you may want to have the tires rotated before it’s called for if you notice uneven tread wear that results in vibration or noise.

Related: How to Check Tire Tread

Why Should You Rotate Tires?

Tire rotation is necessary because the front tires usually wear faster — and often differently — than the rear tires. That’s not only due to the added weight of the engine and transmission typically being up front, but also because turning corners scrubs the front tires some (which also can wear them differently) and the vehicle’s weight shifts forward when you hit the brakes. Rotating the tires evens out the wear, which increases the likelihood that all four tires will wear out at the same time. This is best not only for cost, but also for convenience.

Furthermore, you want the tires to wear at the same rate because it’s best if all four tires have the same amount of tread depth and, therefore, the same diameter. This can be important for a variety of reasons, such as safety features like the traction control system, which rely on accurately determining wheel speed to function optimally; tires of different diameters rotate at different speeds.

Any difference in front and rear wheel speeds can be even more detrimental in all- and four-wheel-drive vehicles. That’s because if the front wheels are spinning faster than the rear wheels (which they will if the tread is worn more, making the tires smaller in diameter), something in the drivetrain may have to make up for the difference in speed, and that something can wear out if it’s constantly doing so.

More From Cars.com:

• What’s the Difference Between Summer, Winter and All-Season Tires?
• How to Properly Check and Put Air in Tires
• Why Does My Car Vibrate While Driving?
• What Should My Tire Pressure Be?
• Do EVs Wear Through Tires More Quickly Than Gasoline Cars?

How Much Is a Tire Rotation?

Virtually the entire cost of a tire rotation is for labor, and that can vary a lot based on your location and where you have it done. You can figure $20 to $75, though some large or performance wheel-and-tire combinations may be more. If your tires were purchased from a tire dealer, they may include free rotation; that savings can be significant, too, since you may need to have the tires rotated five to ten times during their life. However, unless that shop also does oil changes, it means you’re making a separate trip for maintenance.

Related Video:

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.