How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Every driver should know when to rotate tires, and that’s because timely rotation is one of the best ways to extend the life of your tires as long as possible. You should schedule tire rotation service about every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, but several factors will influence exactly how many miles to rotate tires—such as your vehicle’s drivetrain, the weather in Indianapolis, and the type of terrain you drive on most often.

So, how often should you rotate your tires to keep tread wear to a minimum and maximize tire life? Find out what you need to know about tire rotation frequency in the guide below, or contact our service center at Lafayette Volkswagen to speak with a technician today.

When to Rotate Tires on FWD vs. AWD Vehicles

Everyday driving in Avon causes tire treads to wear unevenly. Left unchecked, this can reduce your tires’ ability to grip the road surface. Tire rotation service involves moving each tire to a different position, where the treads previously experiencing the most traction and wear will now experience the least, and vice versa.

Different drivetrains cause different tread wear patterns, so each drivetrain has its own rotation pattern. In other words, the new position for each tire depends on whether your vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive.

Additionally, drivetrains that send power to all four wheels (AWD and 4WD) wear tire treads down more quickly than drivetrains that send power to only two wheels (FWD and RWD). That’s why your car’s drivetrain is a major factor in how many miles to rotate tires:

• How often should you rotate tires on a RWD or FWD vehicle? FWD and RWD vehicles get power in their front and rear axles, respectively. This helps their tires to last longer, so you can typically go 5,000 to 8,000 miles between tire rotations.
• How often should you rotate tires on an AWD vehicle? On AWD vehicles, power is sent to the front and rear axles. This causes faster tread wear, so it’s recommended to rotate tires on AWD vehicles every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Concerned about higher service costs with an AWD vehicle? Take advantage of exclusive service offers at your next visit, and learn more about service and parts financing at Lafayette Volkswagen.
• How often should you rotate tires on a 4WD vehicle? Four-wheel drive vehicles send power to each wheel independently, as needed. However, one key difference between AWD and 4WD plays a big part in when to rotate tires! AWD is on all the time, but 4WD is typically turned off and on by the driver. This helps to reduce wear, so the tires on 4WD vehicles only need to be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Schedule Tire Rotation Service at Lafayette Volkswagen

Remember, knowing how many miles to rotate the tires on your vehicle enhances your tires’ ability to grip the road and keep you safe! Prepare your vehicle for wet and slippery roads in Noblesville today by scheduling your next tire rotation service at our authorized dealership in Lafayette. Short on time? Service Xpress offers select Genuine VW Service without an appointment.