Tyre Rotation: Why Is It Necessary?

Tyre Rotation

Tyre Rotation: Why To Rotate Tyres?

Tyres & wheels are as important parts of a vehicle as any other part. Tyre Pressure, Tyre Rotation, Wheel Balancing & Wheel Alignment are the four vital factors that influence the extent of Tyre’s life. It also influences the ease & safety of vehicle control. So, let’s find out why is it necessary to rotate the tyres?

Four Of The Most Common Tyre Troubles Are:

  1. Excessive wear around the outer edges resulting from under-inflation.
  2. Excessive wear in the center of the tread resulting from over-inflation.
  3. Tyre tread worn out on one side, indicating the wheels need realignment.
  4. Cuplike depressions on one side of the tread, indicating the wheels need balancing.

Dos & Donts:

For satisfactory 4-wheel drive operation, the users must equip the 4-wheel drive vehicle with the same size tyres of an equal circumference on all 4 wheels. Then, the tyres must be inflated to proper factory recommended pressures at all times.

Cross-switch the tyres every 10,000 km or as recommended by the manufacturer. This practice will even out the difference in wear. It will also make the set of tyres last longer than they would without switching. The following figure shows the recommended method of tyre rotation for a 4-wheeled vehicle with a spare wheel. Once you select a method of tyre rotation, you should use it consistently. Or else, the full benefits of tyre rotation may be lost.

Tyre Rotation:

To equalize & distribute the tyre wear as well as to obtain maximum tyre life, the tyres should be rotated from one position to another every 4,800 kms. Furthermore, to compensate for any difference in the working tread pattern wear or uneven wear due to different working positions as well as to obtain a longer overall tread pattern life & stability in cornering & braking, manufacturers favor changing tyre positions at regular intervals. Tyre rotation is also advisable even before the recommended or normal intervals if irregular tread wear begins to develop. Always determine the cause of uneven wear & correct any misalignment, tyre unbalance, or other mechanical faults before tyre rotation.

Generally, There Are 3 Methods Of Tyre Rotation As Shown Below:

The right rear tyre wears more rapidly of all the four tyres followed by the left rear tyre, right front tyre & left front tyre. However, it depends on the type of vehicle – RHD or LHD. In the case of some old cars, the manufacturers recommend changing the wheels diagonally with rear wheels & spare wheel. This is as shown in the diagram below.

Four Wheeler Tyres

Some Recommended Guidelines For Tyre Rotation By Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association Are As Under:

  • Scooter or 2/3-Wheeler Tyres:
2-3 Wheeler Tyres
2-3 Wheeler Tyres
  • Passenger Car/Light Commercial Vehicle Tyres: Rotate one-fourth wear of the tread pattern depth on front tyres. You can see the positional interchanges below:

Motorcycle Tyres:

Manufacturers don’t recommend interchanging tyres from front to rear on motorcycles if it uses a rib pattern at the front with a studded pattern tyre at the rear. In case you notice uneven wear without any mechanical defect, you may reverse the direction of rotation. (This is only if permitted by the tyre). Some tyres have a direction of rotation embossed onto them. Such tyres should not be reversed at ANY cost. If you notice uneven wear on studded tyres fitted on both front & rear wheels, then just interchange their positions.

Mixed Fitments:

When you drive a vehicle, different steering wheel movements produce lateral forces that tyres withstand. Their reaction to these forces is different, which depends upon their structure. Therefore, you should take into account the tyre construction before considering the interchangeability or tyre rotation. Be it the Radial, Diagonal ply, or Cross-ply tyres.

In Case Of Cars, Never Fit:

  1. Tyres of different construction on the same axle. Always fit a complete set of the same tyres for best results.
  2. Cross-ply or Diagonal tyres on the rear axle when you fit the radials on the front axles.

Removal Of Tyres From Service:

The main purpose of the tread of a tyre is to ensure maximum grip over the wet, smooth, or slippery road surface. It is because, in road adhesion, the road surface plays an important role. With a worn-out tyre tread pattern, the wet grip decreases.

With a worn-out tyre, the tread pattern is unable to wipe off the water from the wet road surface. Thus, it leads to a complete loss of vehicle control. The tyres ride on a film of water instead of a wiped-off dry road surface. Always avoid using worn-out tyres that offer less resistance to cuts & punctures. So, you don’t endanger driving safely on the road.

When the remaining tread pattern (skid) depth in ANY part of the tyre reaches 0.8mm for scooter & motorcycle tyres and 1.6mm for a passenger car, light truck and truck tyres, then just replace the tyres.

To avoid further deterioration of the tyre structure resulting in unsafe running conditions, repair the tyre as soon as possible. There is always a possibility of premature tyre failure due to this negligence.

Therefore, Tyre Rotation is a must-to-do activity for all vehicles. Rotating the tyres at regular intervals brings immense benefits to the users. It also brings stability while cornering & braking. Besides, it improves not only the tyre life but also the safety of the passengers.

Bridgestone, Pirelli, Goodyear, and MRF are some of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world.

Watch How To Carry Out Tyre Rotation Here:

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