Tires: tire rotation, rotating tires, fwd cars

Question
If a person pays to have tires rotated to extend tire life, is there really a cost
savings when you weigh the cost of rotation versus reduced tire life ?  I've
never rotated, but when the front tires need replaced my rear tires still have
some life left but I just change all four.  Any suggestions on cost saving
strategy?

Answer
Dave,

It has been estimated that you can get 10% more life out of a set of tires by regular rotations.  This would not seem to be enough to justify the cost.

However, what isn't accounted for - and I don't know how to account for this - is that regular rotations prevents tires from being prematurely removed.

For example, some FWD cars tend to develop irregular wear on the rear tires if not rotated regularly.  At some point the noise, the vibration, and the wear get so bad, the tires have to be replaced - well before they are technically worn out.

I suspect this is partially due to misalignment. but I know that some models are more prone to this than others, so I suspect there is also something in the design of the suspension. Nevertheless, this could be prevented by regularly rotating.

If you want a good cost saving strategy - try this:

Buy a jack and do the rotations yourself.  While you are at it, learn to do oil changes, too, and rotate every time you do an oil change.  This is what I do.  And BTW, while I'm rotating tires, I look at the brakes.  All in all, I am completely immune to sales tactics, I completely know how good the wear is on the tires, and the pressure, how soon I'm going to need brakes, etc.  I can plan ahead if I need any of this service - no surprises.