Skip's Automotive Service
19 Bass Harbor Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 207.244.7276
Question:
How do I know when I should get my tires rotated and balanced?
Skip's Automotive Service Answer:
The interval for tire rotation could depend on a recommendation from either the tire manufacturer or the vehicle manufacturer. The background question for Southwest Harbor drivers is why do tires need to be rotated?
Front tires wear differently than the rear tires because steering wears the shoulders faster up front. Rotating the position of the tires allows for more even wear among all the tires. Now the suspension set-up on certain vehicles may also affect the relative wear between the front and rear. There are several rotation patterns – your friendly and knowledgeable Skip's Automotive Service tire professional will see that you get the correct pattern for your particular vehicle.
Wheels and tires are not perfectly balanced due to slight variations in the manufacturing process and the placement of tire pressure monitoring sensors. So weights are strategically placed on the wheel to ensure that the tire spins true. When a wheel is out of balance it is essentially bouncing thousands of extra times as you drive. Now this can result in an uncomfortable vibration for Southwest Harbor drivers in the steering wheel or through the seat. An unbalanced tire will also wear more quickly and it is punishing on your shocks and struts.
Southwest Harbor drivers should have their wheels balanced if they detect a vibration or uneven wear. A wheel balance check every year is a good idea. Because tires cost so much in the area, it's a great idea to do everything you can to make them last as long as possible. Proper tire inflation, regular tire rotation and wheel balancing are keys to long tire life. The team at Skip's Automotive Service in Southwest Harbor can your tires for signs of uneven wear and diagnose and correct the problem.
Skip's Automotive Service
19 Bass Harbor Rd
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
207.244.7276