Rotating your tires involves removing all the tires and wheels and putting them in a different position on your car. Regularly rotating the tires on your car ensures even wear, extending the life of your tires, according to Uniroyal.
You should rotate the tires on your car approximately every 6,000 miles, according to both Uniroyal and Goodyear Tires. Check your owner's manual for specific recommendations for your make and model.
Four-wheel drive vehicles may require a more frequent rotation schedule of every 4,000 miles. You should drive no more than 8,000 miles without a tire rotation, at a maximum.
Some tires show uneven wear regardless of regular tire rotation. This may be due to other mechanical issues such as misalignment, according to Goodyear Tires. In such a situation, take your car to a mechanic for examination.
Tires are typically rotated in the "modified X" pattern, where those being put on the drive axle are switched from one side to other, with the remaining tires staying on their original sides. Tires designed with directional tread should never be switched from one side of the car to the other, according to Goodyear Tires.
