Car tires will wear down over time due to friction with the road. The more worn your tires become, the worse they will perform. However, because the rear tires do not turn, and the weight of a vehicle is distributed differently between the front and rear, front and rear tires will wear in different places at different rates. This means that switching your rear tires to the front and the front tires to the rear can improve the performance of your vehicle and allow for even wear, increasing the lifespan of your tires. Knowing what to look for can ensure that you rotate your tires when it's necessary.

Excessive Wear

You should visually inspect your tires regularly to see if there is any evidence of increased wear on the material. If one tire in particular is wearing quicker than the others are on your vehicle, you should rotate your tires in order to allow the set to wear down at a similar rate.

Shaking

If you notice any sort of shaking or vibration while driving, this could be caused by excessive wearing or uneven wearing of your tires, which prevents your car from driving smoothly and decreases the amount of control you have over your vehicle, especially while travelling at high speeds. Unfortunately, such shaking may only become apparent while travelling at high speeds. If this does occur, don't panic – simply slow down and rotate your tires as soon as you get the chance to.

Loss of Air

If one or a pair of your tires is constantly losing air pressure at a rate quicker than your other tires, it may be time to rotate your tires. This is caused by increased pressure on the tire, which forces air out of the interior at a faster rate. However, increased pressure on a tire also means that there is more friction between it and the road, which means that the rubber will wear away at a faster rate than other tires. If this is the case, you should rotate your tires.

Distance Travelled

According to coopertire.com, as a general rule of thumb you should rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. However, this distance will vary depending on the brand, size, and type of tire that you use, as well as the year, make, and model of your vehicle, so consult your owner's manual and a mechanic to figure out the ideal amount of distance you should travel before rotating your tires. 

Contact a center like Collier Tire Auto & Truck Repair Center for more information.