Know your Tire Rotation Cost Before Setting Out
When it comes to the safety of you and your family any tire rotation cost suddenly becomes inconsequential, especially when this simple procedure can extend the life of your tires and maintain their ability to get you where you are going safely. Whether you do this task yourself or take your vehicle to an automotive dealer it pays to have this simple procedure done every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Every vehicle is different so check the manual for your car in order to follow the manufacturer’s recommended service procedures.
Shopping Around: A Cost Effective Approach to All Car Maintenance
Tire rotation cost is usually an item that a repair shop will talk to you about when you call in and ask about other services. Often if you are having an oil change or tire repaired, the service manager will ask when the last time you had your tires rotated. Usually, when the repair shop is asking you about a service is not the time to get the best deal. You will get the best deal by having a package of services done at the same time or by using coupons offered by many of the larger automotive repair chains such as Sears, Firestone, PEP Boys and Wal-Mart.
Often during spring and just before winter begins, Firestone coupons will appear in the local paper and in some of the mailers around the country. When these come out, there is usually an offer to rotate your tires for free if you are having air conditioning service or brake work done. Sometimes when you have similar tire services performed they will offer this as an inducement to either upgrade the tires you currently have or join a maintenance program that offers discounts on future dealer services. As you can see tire rotation cost can vary significantly depending on the dealer, this makes shopping around for the best deal a good idea.
Major Automotive Franchises Offering Tire Rotation
- Firestone Automotive Services
- Sears Automotive Services
- K-Mart Automotive Servies
- Wal-Mart Automotive
- Sam’s Club
- Costco
- PeP Boys Automotive Shops
- Jiffy Lube
- Tuffy Automotive Franchises
- Meineke Car Care Centers
Finding the tire rotation cost from one of these major outlets is a simple matter of calling them on the phone or going by their shop. Most will have their prices listed as well as have a package of services that can help extend the life and safety of your tires, brakes and front end.
What Items Should Be Checked When Rotating Your Tires
- Tire wear and tread life are the number one thing to check
- Air pressure, since properly inflated tires are safer and increase fuel economy
- Tire balance as out of balance tires can produce severe vibrations
- Brake pad or drum wear can be checked very easily since the tires are off the car
- Tie rod wear and boot serviceability
- Dents or dings in the wheel which may cause tire damage
- Automatic tire pressure sensors on newer cars should be checked and reset at this time
- Your spare tire should be checked at this time for wear, air pressure and serviceability
- As a final step ensure that all lug nuts are in place and securely tightened.
All of the above items should be included in the tire rotation cost you are quoted. However, you should be wary of shops that tell you have multiple problems at the same time without you being able to confirm these conditions. While the majority of franchise locations provide great service, there are those few that would take advantage of an unsuspecting car owner.
Automotive and truck tires wear at different rates even when they are purchased and placed on the vehicle at the same time. Road conditions, tire inflation, driving habits, location on the car and even the weather all play a significant part in how a tire wears over time. If you spend most of your time on rough, uneven roads your tires will need to be balanced and rotated much more often than if the majority of you time is spent on either highway driving or normal commuting. In parts of the country where the temperatures stay above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, damage is caused to the tires by the extreme heat from the road and friction. Tires that sit for long periods of time also have a tendency to develop flat spots and this makes them hard to balance. The tires that actually drive the vehicle also have different stresses put on them. It is for all of these reasons that you to ensure that you rotate your tires on a regular basis.
Tire Rotation Cost: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
The average price for having your tires rotated varies between free when offered as part of a service package to as high as $100.00. This makes shopping around for the best deal on tires not just about price any more. Many local tire shops offer tire maintenance programs when you purchase tires from them. This type of deal can provide you with lifetime flat repair, road hazard protection, lifetime tire rotation services and a myriad of other options that make the discount tire warehouse look like they are gouging you on when it comes to tire maintenance.
When looking for the best deal on your tires make sure that you take in the maintenance of your tires into consideration as well. Tire rotation cost is just a small part of the overall maintenance required for your vehicle and you need to ensure that you make wise choices when dealing with your vehicle.
