Tires/Wheels - Tire Rotation Recommendations

NO:
007

GROUP:
177

ISSUING DEPARTMENT:

Service Business

CAR MARKET:

United States, Canada

DATE:

YEAR MONTH DAY

2012 01 26

TITLE:

Tire Rotation

As suspensions and drive trains evolve, so do vehicle manufacturer recommendations for tire rotation. Volvo's recommendations have always had a technical basis, while leaving some latitude for customer preference. Presently, for current models, Volvo has no recommended tire rotation. Customers may need the guidance of a Volvo service advisor to help them understand the performance and handling tradeoffs that come with tire rotation. Tire wear is affected by a number of factors such as tire inflation, ambient temperature, driving style etc.

Benefits of Not Rotating Tires Braking Stability Performance

During hard braking, braking on a slippery road, or braking in a curve, good rear tire tread may help you avoid oversteer. Oversteer is when a turning vehicle wants to keep turning because of momentum and dynamic forces on the vehicle suspension. Volvo stability systems are all designed toward reducing or helping a driver avoid oversteer. Still, all things being equal, having more rear tire tread can contribute to reduced oversteer. Without rotation, the rear tires will naturally wear more slowly and have more tread.

Tread Set

As tires age, the tread adopts an angular set, based on its angle to the road surface. For vehicle handling reasons, front and rear tread angle is not the same. If tires are rotated, the tread will eventually set at an angle somewhere between what is optimal for a front or rear tire. Although vehicle ride, handling, and road noise may still be acceptable, they may not be optimal. Additionally, an infrequently or irregularly rotated tire may result in tire noise, faster tire wear, and unpleasant changes in steering feel and vehicle handling.

Driving Performance

A tire that can actually adapt to its position will generally provide better steering feel, lower tire noise, and better fad economy.

Suspension Wear Diagnostics

Every vehicles suspension needs periodic inspection and maintenance. A tire's tread wear pattern can be an aid in detecting and diagnosing a suspension problem. Each tire, if left in place, tells a story about its place in the suspension. Tire rotation, on the other hand, can mask a developing problem. Early detection is very important, because suspension problem can worsen tire wear, and reduce vehicle performance, handling, stability, and fad economy.

Tire Rotation

If the tires are rotated, they should only be moved from front to rear or visa versa. They should never be rotated left to right/right to left.

Ideally, tire rotation should be done the first time after approximately 3,000 miles/5,000 km and thereafter at 6,000 mile/10,000 km intervals. Some customers find that tire rotation may help to get extra mileage from tire life.

Tire rotation should only be performed if front/rear tire wear is fairly even and tread height is above 1/16" (1.6 mm).

However, with all current Volvo models, Volvo believes that numerous technical, performance, and handling benefits outweigh any perceived benefit of tire rotation.