Your tires are one of the most critical parts of your vehicle, so it’s important to keep them in good condition. Two of the best ways to do this are by getting regular tire rotations and wheel alignments. But what’s the difference between these two services? At Anderson Honda, we’re here to help you understand the difference between tire rotation and wheel alignment so you can make sure your vehicle is always running at its best.
Both of these services are essential to prolonging the life of your tires, but they often get confused because they both involve the tires. Below is a detailed overview to help you know more about how each service works and when you should get them done.
What Is A Wheel Alignment?
Did you know your suspension system plays a big role in keeping your vehicle’s wheels aligned? Hitting a bump or running over a pothole causes your suspension system to absorb the impact. However, this also means that your suspension system can get out of alignment over time.
When your suspension system is out of alignment, it can cause your tires to wear down prematurely and unevenly. It can also lead to other problems like poor handling, decreased fuel efficiency, and premature tire wear. That’s why it’s important to get a wheel alignment every few years or so to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
A wheel alignment is the process of tweaking the angles of your wheels to become perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. This helps reduce tire wear and keeps your vehicle handling the way it should.
Here are a few things that typically happen when your vehicle is out of alignment.
- Your vehicle is pulling to one side or another
- Your steering wheel is off center
- Your tires are wearing unevenly
- Your vehicle is shaking or vibrating
What Is A Tire Rotation?
A tire rotation means you are repositioning tires on your vehicle so that they all wear evenly. Over time, certain tires on your vehicle will naturally wear down faster than others due to their position. For example, the front tires typically wear down faster than the rear tires because they bear more of the weight of the vehicle and have to brake during turns.
To prevent premature tire wear, it’s important to get a tire rotation every few months or so. This will help ensure that all of your tires wear down evenly and last longer. One good rule of thumb to follow is every other oil change or roughly 6,000-8,000 miles. It’s also inexpensive so there’s no reason not to get one when you need it.
Below are some signs that indicate that you should rotate your tires as soon as possible.
- Uneven wear on your tires- If you notice that one or more of your tires is wearing down faster than the others, it’s probably time for a rotation
- Shaking or vibration- If you feel a lot of shaking or vibration coming from your tires, it could be due to uneven wear.
- Lower tire pressure- When one or more of your tires is losing more pressure than others, it’s probably a good time to get a tire rotation.
Tire Rotation Vs. Wheel Alignment
One of the easiest ways to remember the difference between these two services is when you should get them done. A tire rotation is considered a preventative measure that you should do every few months or so to avoid premature tire wear. A wheel alignment is something you should get done when you notice your vehicle isn’t handling the way it should or your tires are wearing unevenly.
You can also think of it like this- a tire rotation moves your tires around to even out the wear, while a wheel alignment adjusts the angles of your tires to keep them aligned properly.
Both of these services are important to the longevity of your tires and the overall performance of your vehicle. By getting them done on a regular basis, you can avoid costly repairs down the road and make sure your vehicle is always running at its best.
Make An Appointment With The Service Department At Anderson Honda
If you’re due for a tire rotation or wheel alignment, or if you’re not sure and would like our opinion, make an appointment with the service department at Anderson Honda today. Our team of highly trained technicians will be more than happy to inspect your vehicle and recommend the best course of action. We look forward to serving you!
