1. There is only one “right way” to rotate your tires

There are several ways your tires could be rotated. With front-wheel drive, our specialists will pull your front wheels to the back, and then switch the right and left front wheels’ positions. If your car has rear or four-wheel drive, our ASE-certified technicians will rotate the tires in an X-pattern.

2. Only the car’s drive affects the rotation pattern

This is where the third rotation pattern comes into play! If your car has radial tires, they must be rotated on the same side from rear to front. Radial tires affect the pattern because of the cord plies’ 90-degree design. Cord plies are a network of strong cords, which give the tire shape and reinforce its strength. Radial tires have cords running in a different direction than standard tires, and must be rotated accordingly.

3. Don’t worry about the spare tire

Larger vehicles, such as trucks and SUV’s, typically have full-size spare tires. While donut spares and run-flat spare tires do not need to be put into the rotation, your full-size matching spare tire needs to be maintained. If your car has a full-size spare, we’ll replace one tire with the spare, putting another into the spare tire storage position. We’ll also check the quality and tire air pressure of the spare to ensure it’s safe to drive on.

4. Rotate tires after every oil change

While you can’t over-rotate your tires, you may not need a rotation with every oil change. The best time to rotate your tires is every 5,000 – 7,500 miles. If you’re scheduling an oil change every 3,000 miles, you only need to request a tire rotation with every-other oil change service.

5. If you rotate your tires, everything will be fine

Tire rotations are an essential part of vehicle maintenance, but complete tire maintenance is bigger than tire rotations. You also need to regularly check the tire air pressure, schedule alignment checks and have your suspension system inspected annually. It’s true, tire rotations will protect your tires and extend their lifespan. However, a driving mistake as minor as hitting a small pot hole could throw off your car’s alignment. This affects every other part of the drivability.

Tire rotation service at Christian Brothers Automotive Olathe

The expert technicians at our Olathe auto repair shop recommend tire rotation service at the correct intervals and will only rotate if the tires are safe and sound. We’ll let you know whether your tires need to be rotated or if it’s time for a replacement.

Don’t fall victim to tire rotation service myths and misconceptions. Trust our myth-busting professionals to tell you the truth about your vehicle. To schedule a tire rotation or maintenance service today, call Christian Brothers Automotive in Olathe, Kansas.