Tire Rotation, benefits thereof

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

A better solution to  the tire wear problem presented by FWD is to rotate 
the fronts to the rear and (of course) vice versa, keeping the left tires 
on the left and the right on the right, about twice per year. In Canada we 
use four snow tires changing tires twice per year as a result. Rotating the 
tires is done routinely here, at the time we swap tires for the season. Of 
course, you then have to buy four new tires at once, but that is generally 
a better solution because you aren't locked in to the previous brand. (And 
that sometimes means you can't get the correct replacement as manufacturers 
often supercede especially their top model tires). In Canada, we generally 
have two sets of tires right away when we buy the new car, so shop for 
tires a lot less often.

FWD loads up the front tires about twice to three times as much as the 
rears. The result is the "set" of tires will last as long as on a RWD car 
only if you rotate front to rear twice per year. Another advantage is the 
tires all wear AND age at approximately the same rate, preserving balanced 
handling throughout the life of the set. Tires harden with age and grip 
better in the dry as the tread wears, but worse in the wet. All around 
(nice pun eh?) rotating the tires can't be beat. Check your brakes 
regularly at the same time!



Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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