If you own a car, you need to take care of it. This means making sure that you rotate your tires and align your wheels properly. Many people believe that these two tasks are the same things; however, that is not necessarily the case. While you should get both tasks completed at least once per year, and they do go together, you need to understand the differences between them, so you know how to take care of your car. At C&S Subaru, it would be our pleasure to help you. Learn more about these two tasks below, and reach out to us to schedule an appointment with our service center.
What is a Tire Rotation?
A tire rotation should take place once per year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. When you drive down the road, the tires at the front of your car do not wear at the same rate as the tires at the back your car. If your car is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you might not need to rotate your tires as often, but we can help you figure out if that is the case.
If your tires do not wear evenly, two of your tires might wear out before the others. This means that your treads are not even, which can make it hard for you to drive your car straight. Furthermore, it can lead to added expenses, as you will need to replace your tires sooner.
If you rotate your tires once per year, they will last longer. You will not have to replace your tires as quickly, you should get better gas mileage, and the handling of your vehicle will improve, which will make it much safer to drive.
What Is a Wheel Alignment?
You also need to align your wheels. This should be done once per year. When your steering column is straight, your wheels should be pointed straight as well. If some of your wheels are not straight, this means that your wheels are not aligned. You might notice that your car is pulling to the left or the right. In addition, if your wheels are not aligned, then your tires will not wear the same because more pressure might be applied to two of your tires than the others.
