Rotating your tires moves them to different positions so they wear evenly — because the tires doing the steering and driving wear faster than the others. Done every 10,000 to 15,000 km, it can add thousands of kilometres of usable tread and keep your handling balanced.
- Rotate every 10,000 to 15,000 km (or every other oil change).
- Front tires usually wear faster on front-wheel-drive cars.
- The right pattern depends on your drivetrain and whether tires are directional.
- Skipping rotation means uneven wear and replacing tires sooner.
Why tires wear unevenly
The tires that steer and drive the car do the most work. On a front-wheel-drive car — most cars on Fredericton roads — the fronts handle steering, braking, and power, so they wear noticeably faster than the rears. Rotation evens that out by sharing the load over time.
When and how
Every 10,000 to 15,000 km is the sweet spot, and tying it to every second oil change makes it easy to remember. The correct pattern depends on your drivetrain and tire type; we use the right one for your vehicle and check pressures and tread depth while the wheels are off.
How often should I rotate my tires?
Every 10,000 to 15,000 km is a good rule, or roughly every second oil change. If you notice the front tires wearing faster or feel new vibration, it is worth doing sooner.
What happens if I never rotate my tires?
The driven and steering tires wear out well before the others, so you end up replacing tires sooner and may drive on an unbalanced set in the meantime. Rotation is one of the cheapest ways to get the most life from a set.
Can all tires be rotated the same way?
No. The pattern depends on your drivetrain (FWD, RWD, AWD) and whether your tires are directional or staggered in size. Directional tires can only move front-to-back on the same side; staggered setups generally can't be rotated at all. We sort the correct pattern for your vehicle.
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