Preventative Tire Maintenance

[UGASpike]

I saw a post about going in for a tire rotation and balance, which got me thinking about routine tire maintenance. I searched around but didn’t find much on the subject.

How often are you balancing your tires? And how often are you checking alignment?

I typically rotate every 5k and check alignment around 10-15k, or sooner if I notice uneven wear. I’ve never really considered rebalancing outside of when new tires are installed. Once they’re mounted and balanced, I’ve always assumed they’re good unless there’s a vibration.

 

[Oillover]

Balance only when tires are removed and replaced.
Other than that, just rotations and tire pressure top-ups.

 

[CarLuver]

i rotate tires at every oil change which is 5k miles . Sometimes i do it myself , sometimes i take it to discount .

 

[iCurious]

i do it every 6k.

 

[racer12306]

Rotations at 10k for both vehicles. Tire pressure checks regularly through the EVIC (nearly daily for my truck and weekly for my wife's Jeep). I've built up comfort in the systems and where they are with relation to my gauge. Adjustments near season changes.

Only balance when tires are changed or something feels off.

 

[Kira]

Years ago, I read vehicles tend to hold an alignment. Also, wheel weights stay put for the most part.
This has been my experience.

Obviously, degradation of an element can disrupt alignment.
And I bet more than a few glue-on weights have been applied to inadequately prepared wheels.
I'm glad the low hardware works as well as it does.

 

[JTK]

I'd only re-balance if there's an issue with the tire or like said above, if the tire is removed from the rim. Rotations every 12-15K miles. I'm not great with them these days. Alignment check is only if I need to due to irregular tire wear, etc.

 

[Kestas]

I rotate every 10K. Alignment only if the tire wear looks off. I have my own static tire balancer if needed.

 

[IndyIan]

I just rotate on the 3 season/winter switch overs, ~10-15k miles. Only rebalance or alignment when there is an issue. The only time I've had an alignment done without new parts being installed, was to fix excess rear toe in and negative camber, which was technically "in spec" but was creating some rear-end instability and wearing the tires too.

 

[Kira]

Alignment check is only if I need to due to irregular tire wear, etc.

^^Right. I know a guy who has his alignment checked quite often.
He has also "detects" misses which I can never feel or hear myself.
I think he's psychosomatic.

Also, I've had success noting and restoring strut positioning when changing such that I've never needed an alignment afterwards.

 

[robbobster]

Our trucks both have 33” tires, rotate & re-balance every 5k. In the past I would only get an alignment check if treadwear looked wonky.

But now…I’m super happy that Discount Tire is installing Hunter alignment racks in our area (maybe it’s nationwide?)

I can get my alignment checked for free at the same time, no extra trip to another shop required.

 

[shortyb]

I rotate every oil change, usually around the 5K mark. I normally will have the wheels/tires rebalanced and Road Forced after about the first 5K from initial installation. Always off by a little bit due to belts taking a set and scrub in wear. After that, they stay the way they are unless vibration or other detectable issue. Professional laser rack (Hunter) alignment at time of new tires and checked periodically with home alignment tool (Gyraline). Keeps the black, round things, and what they're attached to, happy as it all goes down the road.

 

[IndyIan]

I guess lots of people with subaru's or other cars, with fine pitch lugs must get frequent rotations, do you end up replacing lots of lug studs?

This weekend, when doing the winter-summer switch over, I had my first encounter with lug studs/nuts getting destroyed by tire tech in a hurry, and they just ran 2 lugs down tight on the one wheel, after cross threading I assume. I think they learned or someone noticed and the rest are fine. Fortunately I had a couple of salvageable lug studs from the old wheel bearing from our Outback, so it was just me messing around finding the old bearing in the metal scrap bin, but it could've wasted a lot of my time...

 

[gfh77665]

I know this is outside all the typical recommendations, but I only rotate tires once in their lifetimes. I started out at 5K, then went to 10K. I didn't see any real difference, so I tried 15K and then, all the way to 25K intervals, which is roughly halfway through their service life.

With short rotation intervals, I got 50K miles of tire life. With a one time rotation at 25K, I still got 50K miles of tire life.

 

[UGASpike]

I know this is outside all the typical recommendations, but I only rotate tires once in their lifetimes. I started out at 5K, then went to 10K. I didn't see any real difference, so I tried 15K and then, all the way to 25K intervals, which is roughly halfway through their service life.

With short rotation intervals, I got 50K miles of tire life. With a one time rotation at 25K, I still got 50K miles of tire life.

AWD?

 

[gfh77665]

AWD?

No. Never owned AWD.

 

[PandaBear]

Park under shade would be mine. UV can damage them over time.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I just rotate on the 3 season/winter switch overs, ~10-15k miles. Only rebalance or alignment when there is an issue. The only time I've had an alignment done without new parts being installed, was to fix excess rear toe in and negative camber, which was technically "in spec" but was creating some rear-end instability and wearing the tires too.

Pretty much the same in my use. I'll rotate as I put the winter ones on or the 3 season unless there is a known issue with a plug maybe closer to edge, a diagnosed higher road force or if there is still a higher tread depth difference. Mine all wear the fronts more so they will get the tread with more depth.

Before all get crazy on best in the rear etc. Mine wear very even in my rotations this way. The tread depth difference between front and rear will be at most 2/32", normally only 1/32". I check pressures weekly on 4-7 vehicles and tread depth across the tread monthly.