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The Benefits of Regular Tyre Rotation & Balancing

By August 8, 2023October 15th, 2024No Comments

The Benefits of Regular Tyre Rotation & Balancing

Whether you drive a Ford, a Mercedes, an Audi, or a Jeep, it’s vital that you properly maintain your tyres and wheels. In truth, many of us don’t consider the health of our tyres as much as we should. However, failing to do so can have a detrimental impact on your vehicle’s overall performance and safety. Think of your tyres like a pair of shoes, you wouldn’t continue wearing a pair of shoes that are worn, ripped, damaged or broken, would you? So why would you continue driving your vehicle with worn tyres? Tyres can be costly to replace, which is why we at Alloy Logic recommend several best practices for keeping your tyres in optimum condition: Tyre Rotation and Wheel Balancing.

We at Alloy Logic have 20 years of experience within the motoring industry and know that the impact of wheel damage can be dangerous and irreversible. Worn or damaged tyres can lead to blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems and increased fuel consumption if not addressed properly. So, if you’ve been wondering what the main benefits of regular tyre rotation and balancing are, here’s our handy guide for everything that you need to know.

What causes tyres to wear?

With over two decades of experience, we at Alloy Logic have seen our fair share of damaged tyres and know that several things can impact the health of your vehicle’s tyres. Here are some of the things that cause tyres to
wear…

  • Road Conditions

If you regularly drive on gravel roads or rocky terrain or if you’ve hit a few nasty potholes, your tyres will likely suffer more wear than those who drive in urban areas.

  • The Way You Drive

Braking hard, accelerating quickly and more can cause your tyres to wear more quickly. Braking is typically applied to the front tyres of a vehicle which causes extra wear.

  • Engine Location

Engines are typically positioned in the front of your vehicle; therefore your front tyres are accommodating greater weights than your rear ones, causing them to wear faster.

  • Bad Wheel Alignment

If your wheels are incorrectly balanced and aligned, they will likely cause your tyres to wear faster and unevenly.

  • Incorrect Tyre Pressures

Under or over-inflated tyres will contribute to your tyres becoming uneven or excessively worn. Set your tyres to the recommended pressures to prevent uneven wear.

What are tyre rotation and wheel balancing?

Tyre rotation and wheel balancing are processes undertaken to increase the safety and efficiency of your tyres. When tyres are rotated, wheels are removed and replaced or swapped from front to back, and/or left to right, depending on wear. When wheels are balanced, we use state-of-the-art machinery which will tell us if the weight of the tyre and wheel are unbalanced. If found to be unbalanced, we will attach weights to the rim of the wheel to rectify this.

Here’s more about tyre rotation and wheel balancing in more detail…

Tyre Rotation

What is a tyre rotation?

Tyres of all types tend to wear down at different rates. For example, tyres on the drive axle wear the quickest

and applies to both front and rear-wheel drive vehicles. Tyre rotation is the process of swapping the positions of a vehicle’s tyres from front to back or side to side. Front tyres typically wear the fastest as most cars have front wheel drive. Tyre rotation is designed to get the most out of your set of tyres. Frequent tyre rotation can
improve their performance and elongate their lifespan!

How often should my tyres be rotated?

Your tyres should be rotated as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. However, it’s recommended that you take your car for a tyre rotation every time you service your vehicle or at least once every 12 months or 6,000 miles. While this is the universal ‘rule’, if you carry heavy loads or drive long distances, your tyres should be rotated more often. Regular rotating ensures optimum tyre health and allows the mechanic to check for damage, tread depth and more.

How is a tyre rotation done?

There are several ways that a tyre rotation can be done, and the process undertaken largely depends on the vehicle you own. Here’s how we do it…

  • Tyre Rotation on Front-Wheel Drive VehiclesA tyre rotation on front-wheel drive vehicles is when the front tyres are moved to the back while ensuring that they remain on the same side. Then, the rear tyres are moved forwards and will be intercrossed. This means that your previous left-rear tyre will be the new front-right tyre and vice versa.
  • Tyre Rotation on Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicles A tyre rotation on rear wheel drive vehicles is when the rear tyres are moved to the front while ensuring that they remain on the same side. Then, the front tyres are moved to the back and will be intercrossed. This means that your previous front-right tyre will become the new rear-left tyre.
  • Tyre Rotation on a 4X4 Vehicle A tyre rotation on a 4×4 vehicle follows a ‘crossed direction’ method. This means that you’ll move the front-left tyre to the position of rear-right (and rear-right to front-left). This will then be mirrored on the other side of your vehicle so the rear-left becomes front-right and vice versa.

If you’re wondering which type of Tyre Rotation your vehicle needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our tyre specialists today. We’re happy to help and provide trusted advice.

Wheel Balancing

What is wheel balancing?

Once tyre rotation is completed, your wheels also need to be balanced to ensure that they are properly fitted. Wheel balancing makes sure that the weight of your vehicle is distributed equally around the wheel and that the tyre rotates evenly. Wheel balancing makes sure that you are getting the best wear patterns from your tread, guarantees optimum handling conditions and makes sure that you are safe on the road.

How often should my wheels be balanced?

Your wheels should be balanced as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer; however, it’s recommended that your wheels are balanced at every tyre rotation as well as every 5,000-6,000 miles. If you carry heavy loads or drive long distances, your wheels should be checked more often.

How is wheel balancing done?

When wheels are balanced, we use state-of-the-art machinery which will spin the wheel to determine where the weights need to be placed to correct any imbalance. If found to be unbalanced, we will attach small lead weights to the rim of the wheel to distribute the weight of the wheels evenly on each axle.

For more information about Wheel Balancing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our tyre specialists today. We’re happy to help and provide trusted advice.

So, now that you know what they are, what are the benefits of regular tyre rotation and balancing?

We have seen our customers benefit from tyre rotation and wheel balancing first-hand. Here’s why tyre rotation and wheel balancing are essential to maintaining your vehicle and keeping you (and others) safe on the road…

  • Better Driving Experience

Tyres that haven’t been rotated and balanced could contribute to an uncomfortable driving experience. Vibrations, loud noises, and more are common factors of unbalanced or worn tyres which could cause discomfort over time. To ensure a better driving experience, we highly recommend regular tyre rotation and wheel balancing. What’s more, these processes can identify other issues that are contributing to an unsatisfactory driving experience.

  • Improved Road Safety

Improving your safety on the road is one of the most important reasons to undertake frequent tyre rotation and wheel balancing. Damaged and worn tyres can significantly impact your vehicle’s tyre pressure, steering and performance, which could lead to an accident or other dangerous situations. Rotating and balancing ensures that the tread on your tyres is worn evenly, therefore giving you better control on the road.

  • Prolong Tyre Lifespan

Regularly rotating your tyres and balancing your wheels guarantees that they will wear evenly, thus prolonging the lifespan of your wheels. This means that you can make the most of your set of tyres rather than having to replace one or two individually. What’s more, regular tyre maintenance can improve the lifespan of other related components such as brakes, wheels, axles, wheel bearings, and your vehicle’s suspension system.

  • Saves You Money

As your tyres will be wearing evenly, tyre rotation and wheel balancing eliminate the need for frequent tyre replacement, saving you money in the long run. Furthermore, with proper maintenance, such as tyre rotation and wheel balancing, other parts of your vehicle will be protected. This means that the overall performance and health of your vehicle will be improved, which equals fewer repairs!

  • Economical Fuel Consumption

If you’ve noticed that you’re filling up more regularly, this could be a sign that your wheels are damaged. When your wheels aren’t functioning as they should, your engine has to work twice as hard to keep them spinning and your vehicle moving, meaning that your fuel consumption will be higher and more costly. Regular rotation and balancing ensure that your wheels are functioning as they should for the most economical fuel consumption.

  • Increase Vehicle Value

When wheels are damaged, they will depreciate the performance and appearance of your vehicle. Therefore, it’s understandable that your vehicle’s value will depreciate with worn or poorly maintained wheels. Whether you are selling your vehicle soon, in the future or have a financed vehicle, proper vehicle maintenance can significantly increase or maintain your vehicle’s value.

How much do tyre rotation and wheel balancing cost?

The average cost of tyre rotation and wheel balancing varies depending on several factors and we recommend getting in touch with us for a quote tailored to you.

How long do tyre rotation and wheel balancing take?

Tyre rotation and wheel balancing typically take one-two hours, however, the precise length of time a job takes
may depend on the process we undertake and the type of vehicle you have. Get in touch with us to book your tyre rotation and wheel balancing today.

Alloy Logic’s Top Tips for Tyre Safety

With over 20 years of experience, we at Alloy Logic are knowledgeable and skilled in all areas of tyre and wheel
installation, maintenance, replacement, and refurbishment. Here are some of our top tips for tyre safety to keep you safe on the road as well as ensure that your wheels don’t need replacing or refurbishing for a long time to come.

  • Take care to avoid hitting kerbs and potholes on the road when driving.
  • Don’t accelerate too fast or unnecessarily slam on your brakes.
  • Make sure your tyre tread is above the legal minimum tread depth of at least 1.6mm
  • Keep to your vehicle’s load limits.
  • Keep your wheels clean to avoid a build-up of grit, dust, and any other debris.
  • Use proprietary wheel cleaners sparingly.
  • Ensure your tyres are properly inflated.
  • If damage occurs, make sure you inspect your wheels or have a professional assess them.

While the above tips won’t stop tyre wear completely, you can significantly elongate the lifespan of your tyres and keep your vehicle safe on the road for longer!

In conclusion…

Whichever type of vehicle you drive, proper maintenance for your tyres and wheels is essential. Without professional tyre rotation and balancing, you could be risking your safety, impacting your vehicle’s performance, and causing further damage to your wheels, tyres and more. Worn or damaged tyres will indefinitely lead to mechanical issues, handling problems and increased fuel consumption if not addressed properly. So, if you want to guarantee your safety on the road, properly maintain and protect your vehicle, prolong the lifespan of your tyres, and save money in the long run, the answer has to be professional tyre rotation and wheel balancing.

If you’d like more advice about tyre rotation and wheel balancing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today for our trusted advice and recommendations.