Tire Rotation

Many motorists are unaware that tire rotation helps to extend the life of their tires and improves comfort while driving. Tire rotation is the process of taking off all four tires and installing the rear ones on the front, and the front ones on the rear. Even if tires do not show any visible signs of wear, they should be rotated every 10,000 km to help even out wear patterns and extend the life of your tires.

Rear and Four Wheel Drive Vehicles

When rotating the tires on a rear or four-wheel drive vehicle, the two rear tires should be rotated to the front, but remain on the same side of the vehicle. The two tires originally on the front should be rotated to the rear and mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle so that the original front-left tire is installed on the rear-right side of the vehicle and vice versa. This should be done every 10,000 km or as soon as signs of uneven wear are visible.

Front Wheel Drive Vehicles

In the case of a front-wheel drive car, manufacturers suggest placing the front tires directly to the rear, and placing the rear tires to the front by crossing them so that the right rear wheel will go to the front left, and the left rear wheel to the front right. It should be noted that front-wheel drive cars have the tendency to wear out front tires sooner than the rear tires.

For more detailed instructions, consult your vehicles Owner Manual or a Canadian Tire Auto Specialist.

There is more to a tire rotation than simply removing and reinstalling your tires. A service professional should check the inflation pressure of each tire, according to manufacturer's specifications, while also inspecting the tires for minimum tread depth, abnormal tire wear patterns, foreign objects embedded in the tread, and other tire damage. Uneven tire wear may be a sign of an alignment issue so it is important to have your alignment checked during the rotating process to help prevent premature tire wear. Remember, tire rotations are FREE every 10,000 km when you purchase, install and balance your tires at Canadian Tire.

Click here to search for a Canadian Tire Service Centre near you and call to make an appointment to have your tires rotated.