Although you can’t prevent tires from wearing out, maintenance can extend their life. Keeping tires properly inflated, rotating them on schedule, and wheel alignments all help prevent problems. When searching for an auto care center for tire rotation and alignment near you, trust Havoline® Xpress Lube of Kernersville.
Tire Rotation Vs. Wheel Alignment
Comparatively, tire rotation and wheel alignment are very different. Yet, both are crucial for keeping tires in good condition, and ensuring a safe driving experience. Together, these maintenance tasks ensure your tires grip the road correctly and wear evenly.
Tire Rotation
All automakers recommend that you periodically change your vehicle’s tire positions following the patterns in your owner’s manual. Typically, your vehicle’s drivetrain design affects this pattern as well as tire wear.
Generally, car manufacturers design vehicles with rear (RWD), front (FWD), or all wheel drive (AWD). Usually, engine power plays a part in tire wear, but so does steering and braking. Thus, the front tires wear faster on both FWD and AWD, while RWD tends to wear more evenly.
Regularly rotating tires helps equalize the pressure and stress points on your car’s tires. Most experts recommend a tire rotation every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Wheel Alignment
In order to grip the road properly, automakers position tires at specific angles. Typically, a fender bender, hitting a curb or pothole, as well as worn suspension parts, can cause misalignment. Misaligned tires will wear faster and make your engine less efficient. It’s also a safety issue as it’s harder to steer the vehicle accurately.
During an alignment, your mechanic will adjust your suspension according to your manufacturer’s specifications. Typically, you should get your tires aligned every 6,000 miles. Of course, encountering any incident influencing tire alignment as previously described, requires an examination by your technician.
Cost And Time Commitment Of A Tire Rotation And Alignment
Usually, tire rotation and wheel alignments are separate services. However, most auto shops can schedule both on the same day. The average cost for a tire rotation is $60 – $72, and it takes about 30 minutes.
Comparatively, a wheel alignment may cost between $65 and $200, with a time commitment between 1 and 2 hours. Typically, the tire alignment cost difference is due to an engineering design. Some cars have a solid, fixed axle, which doesn’t require an alignment.
One Other Important Tire Service Required From An Auto Care Center
Aggressive driving habits like rapid acceleration, slamming on the brakes, and harsh cornering wear tires unevenly. When some areas wear down more than others, tires become unbalanced. Even just a ¼ of an ounce difference is enough to cause problems.
With uneven weight distribution, the tire will wobble and vibrate. Typically, you’ll experience decreased fuel efficiency as your car struggles to overcome the increased friction. Moreover, unbalanced tires tend to bounce as they roll. This vibration can also potentially damage your suspension.
New tires, too, need balancing. While manufacturers have strict processes and tolerances, tires won’t be uniform in weight distribution. Thus, anytime you replace a tire, you’ll need to have it balanced. Generally, balancing your tires costs between $40 and $75 and usually takes about 45-60 minutes.
Tire Maintenance You Can Do
Your tires’ condition significantly impacts your vehicle’s efficiency and handling. Performing routine maintenance is critical for extending their life and your safety. Typically, you should perform these maintenance tasks at least once a month:
- Check Tire Tread Depth
Every time you take your car on the road, you wear down some of the tread. As the tread wears, your car has an increased risk of hydroplaning and longer stopping times. One study found that this can occur once the tread depth has worn down to half of its original depth.
- Visually Inspecting For Damage
Any tire damage, like cuts, scrapes, punctures, bumps, bulges, or cracks, can be dangerous. Damaged tires can weaken the tire structure and lead to blowouts.
- Test The Air Pressure
Since 2007, all cars have come equipped with a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS). An illuminated TPMS dashboard light lets you know the air pressure of a tire is outside of the optimal range. If your car is older, you can use a tire gauge to check the air pressure.
FAQs About Tires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 11.000 accidents per year are tire-related, resulting in 600 deaths. All too often, these are easily preventable with routine tire maintenance.
When looking to schedule a tire rotation and alignment near you, trust Xpress Lube. Below, we answer a few commonly asked questions about tires and their maintenance.
Can I DIY A Tire Rotation?
While it is possible, it is time-consuming and requires a car jack and jack stands to elevate your vehicle.
Why Are My Tires Wearing So Quickly?
Several reasons could be causing tires to wear faster than normal:
- Improper inflation
- Misaligned wheels
- Neglecting to rotate your tires
- Failing suspension
- Aggressive driving habits
Where’s The Best Place To Get A Tire Rotation And Alignment Near You
For all your tire service needs, trust Havoline® Xpress Lube of Kernersville. We offer transparent pricing, stellar customer service, and quality work from experienced technicians. Plus, we’ve been helping car, truck, SUV, and van owners maintain their vehicles for over 25 years.
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road. Don’t trust servicing to just anybody. Call us today at 336-904-6319 to schedule your tire maintenance.
