When Not To Rotate Tires? (Explained For Beginners)

You must rotate the tires on your vehicle and make it a routine; however, there are a lot of situations where you should not rotate your tires. But, unfortunately, this isn’t very clear to most people and most car drivers. And because of that, a question like this would dominate the automobile world.

So when to not rotate your tires? You should not rotate the tires on your vehicle if you do not know what you are doing, if it is not yet the right time if you do not need to rotate your tires, if you have special tires, and if you do not have a professional to do the job for you.

So it is not that you have to rotate your tires all the time. For beginners who are still new to the automobile world, rotating your tires might require a lot of knowledge first, and you have to learn all of it. There are times when the car owner does not have the right experience and enough experience or even the proper equipment needed to do the job efficiently, entirely, and safely. 

There are also times when the tire rotation is not necessary because of the tire’s tread. With that, this article will address those key points to know when not to rotate your tires. 

Many car drivers have these questions, so we will discuss them in this article. So if you wish to learn more, stay and keep reading. Let us start!

When Not To Rotate Tires

When Should You Not Rotate Your Tires?

Tire rotation is significant, and all car drivers should know when to do it and how to do it. But there are moments where you should not rotate your tires. 

We will be discussing them in this section. There are plenty of scenarios where you should not rotate your tires. 

1. You Should Not Rotate Your Tires If You Do Not Know What You Are Doing

If you jack up your vehicle incorrectly, you will be the one responsible if you will break something in your vehicle. For example, if you remove a tire or incorrectly mount a tire, you can break your vehicle. 

You might be able to drive away, but if you do not know what to do or are not sure what you are doing, you can cause damages later on, and these damages might even be serious about making significant repairs or replacements. 

2. You Should Not Rotate Your Tires If You Do Not Have A Professional Lift That Can Keep All Four Of Your Tires In The Air All At The Same Time

You can use a jack to lift your vehicle one tire at a time, but it can consume a lot of time. It can also be very exhausting. 

For beginners, it can also Be Dangerous. So Do Not Use Four Separate Jacks To Raise Your Vehicle Because It Can Put So Much Strain On Amateur Equipment.

3. You Should Not Rotate Your Tires If You Do Not Have Special Tires

There are a few kinds of performance or situation specific tires. It can be rotated differently to help with the formation of a specific tread pattern on your tire. If you do not know that, you might not be able to handle your tires in the way they should be handled. 

4. You Should Not Rotate Your Tires If You Do Not Have To

This is a basic rule. Do not rotate your vehicle if you do not have to. Many manufacturers and auto shops will run sales and specials to rotate your tires for you if you will request them. 

5. You Should Not Rotate Your Tires If It Is Not Yet Time

Manufacturers of tires recommend that you get on a recurring schedule or routine for your tire rotation if you know that the tires are new. So you should also do that routine. 

Do You Really Need To Rotate Your Tires?

Yes, rotating your tires is necessary. If you want your tires to last as long as they can, you have to rotate them. 

If you rotate your tires, it will even out and equalize the wear that each tire will receive. If you will not rotate your tires, that is fine too, but you might replace your wheels and buy tires frequently. 

What Happens If You Wait Too Long To Rotate Tires?

Many people are asking what would happen if they waited too long to have their tires rotated. If your tires are not receiving a regular rotation, the tire treads will wear down unevenly. It will make a rough and a potential for an unstable driving surface. 

As a result, this type of tire tread wear will lessen your safety while you are on the road. In addition, you have to think of hydroplaning, heat buildup, poor traction in ice, and there will also be a heightened risk of punctures and blowouts. Experts say that not enough tread depth is responsible for more than twenty-five percent (25%) of accidents related to tires. 

1. Heat Buildup

If your vehicle is moving, friction will be created between the tires. The road will then make some heat. 

The tires are made to resist heat, but if there is no space for the cooling airflow that the treads are creating, the temperature will then hastily reach unsafe levels. On the other hand, if there is too much heat, it can cause tire failures like blowouts and separation of treads. 

2. Hydroplaning

The deep grooves in an excellent and healthy tread will help channel water away from the driving surface. This means that the tire will maintain a firm grip on the road. And without enough tread depth, your tires can glide into the top of the water; it can have dangerous steering, dangerous control, and dangerous handling. 

3. Poor Traction In Ice Or Snow

If treads are irregular, sharper, wider, the snow tires are made to improve by holding onto packed snow. However, if you drive in winter with low tread depths or not enough tires, this will heighten the risk of spinning out or even sliding on icy roads.

4. Blowouts And Punctures

If you do not rotate your tires, a spot on a tire will experience excessive strain, and it can begin to wear thin. If the spot gets thinner, there will be a high chance that a glass, nail, or sharp object can make a hole in your tire. 

Summary

In summary, tire rotation is essential for your tires and your vehicle. A tire should be rotated if you want your tire in good condition because rotating your tire will even out the pressure and the wear that all four wheels are taking. 

But there are times when you should not rotate your tires. Instead, you have to follow the guide above.

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Image credits – Canva

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My name is Hank, and I've been in the automotive industry for 27 years. I've been working in my own auto repair shop for the last 13 years, and now I want to help you here, on my blog. Let me know if you have any questions. Read more