Tire rotations are an essential part of maintaining your car, and prolonging the life of your tires. Regularly rotating your tires improves many key aspects of car maintenance. Doing so will help you save money, improve the health of your car, and can even help you avoid accidents.
The average cost of a tire rotation is $20 to $35
You’ll notice that most auto shops offer to rotate your tires for between $20 and $35. This is because tire rotation is a relatively quick and easy process, but can still be quite beneficial for your car.
Additionally, if you take your car to the dealership that sold it to you, you may be waiting longer than necessary for the service—in many cases, dealerships outsource tire rotations to independent shops to save time and money. If you’re comfortable with having your tires rotated by an independent shop or are just looking to save some time (and cash), it’s worth considering making an appointment at one of these businesses instead of going straight to the dealership.
You can pick up the tire rotation for free at many places
There’s good news: many places offer the tire rotation for free!
- Car dealerships. If you bought your tires from a dealership, they will almost always offer you at least one or two free rotations within the first year of purchasing them. This is a nice perk since it helps to keep your tires in top shape for longer, which means less money out of pocket for you in the long run. Additionally, many dealerships give free tire rotations after that if you buy oil changes or other basic maintenance from them (more on this below).
- Oil change shops and other basic maintenance stores. Some auto repair shops offer a free rotation with any standard oil change if you agree to have them rotate your tires every time—an agreement that’s definitely worth it when compared to their usual cost. Many of these businesses also offer perks like discounted oil changes or even free roadside assistance (such as flat-tire help) when you opt into their loyalty programs.
When you buy new tires, most dealerships will offer you a free tire rotation for the life of the tire.
A good deal: Free tire rotation for life
Most car dealerships and auto shops offer free tire rotations for the life of the tires when you purchase them. Tires should be rotated approximately every 5,000 miles, so this is usually a good deal and can save you some money in the long run.
If you don’t have the paperwork any longer, try calling your local dealership and asking them if they have your information on file. If not, you may need to go back to where you originally purchased your tires and speak with them about getting a copy of the documentation that would entitle you to a lifetime of free rotations.
Tire rotations are low-cost, high-reward maintenance.
Tire rotations are a low-cost, high-reward maintenance expense that most people can afford. If you’re the type of driver who doesn’t think about your vehicle’s tires until they start to make noise, you should consider doing this at least once per year. Your vehicle’s tires will love you for it.
