Key Takeaway
- Tire rotation costs between $20 and $75 on average.
- The cost of rotating tires depends on the type of tires you have, their size and the service provider you choose.
- Rotating tires regularly can improve your vehicle’s handling and performance, boost fuel efficiency and extend the life of your tires.
The average cost of a tire rotation ranges from about $20 to $75, depending on your vehicle, tires, location and service provider.
This simple service is often performed in conjunction with regular oil changes, which have a similar maintenance schedule, making it easy to remember when tire rotations are needed and sometimes saving drivers money on bundled services.
Drivers with larger or specialty vehicles, including those with oversized or unique tires, may pay more for tire rotations due to additional labor charges, special equipment and unique rotation pattern requirements.
Factors that affect tire rotation costs
Tire rotation is a relatively affordable car service — if you’re quoted $200 to $300, you’re probably being taken for a ride. But some factors, like your location, tire type and size, and vehicle type, can get you a slightly different quote from your friends and neighbors.
- Vehicle type: All-wheel-drive (AWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) cars have more complex rotation processes and may therefore cost more.
- Tire and wheel type: Specialty tires may require advanced rotation techniques or equipment.
- Tire size: Oversized wheels may be more difficult to rotate, meaning they take more of a mechanic’s time.
- Location: Regional labor rates vary, so you may pay more for a tire rotation in an urban area than a rural one.
- Service provider: Dealerships, chain stores and local tires shops all have different pricing.
What is a tire rotation?
A tire rotation is the process of moving a vehicle’s tires from one position to another. This helps promote even tread wear for each tire, improves tire safety and performance, increases their lifespan and reduces the stress on other systems of your car.
Tires are moved from one side to the other and either front-to-back or back-to-front in a specific cross pattern. The pattern your mechanic uses depends on whether your car is front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive; how many tires you’re rotating; and the type of tires. The auto industry uses standard rotation patterns for different vehicles and tire types, so your tires should get even wear no matter which mechanic you use.
Your mechanic may choose a rotation pattern that accounts for your spare tire, too, if you want to rotate that in for even wear.
The tire rotation service only changes the position of each tire. This is different from more complex wheel alignment or wheel balancing services.
How often should I get my tires rotated?
Tire rotation is recommended every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. This is roughly as often as you might change the oil in your car, so some drivers opt to get both services at once to save both time and money.
You may need to rotate your tires more often in the following instances.
- Your tires are new: New tires need to be rotated before hitting 5,000 miles, as their deep tread is particularly prone to uneven wear.
- Your tires are wearing unevenly: If you notice that your tires are wearing down unevenly — one tire is wearing more than the other, or a tire is wearing down more toward the inside than the outside — it’s probably time to head to the shop. Tires in need of a rotation may also make more noise than usual.
- Your car is all-wheel-drive: Shorter rotation periods are recommended for many AWD tires, often ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
- You do a lot of off-roading: If you have off-road or specialty tires that get more wear and tear, you may need more frequent rotations.
Tire manufacturers provide rotation recommendations in each tire guide.
How to save on tire rotation
Though they’re one of the more affordable car maintenance services, you’ll have your tires rotated several times over the life of your car — and who wants to overpay for routine maintenance? Here are some ways to save a bit of money.
Bundle services
Tire rotation may be free if you bought tires from that same shop or if you are getting other work done at the same time, such as an oil change.
Membership perks
Some tire rotations may be free with maintenance plans from places like Costco, Sam’s Club or your local dealership. You may need to purchase one of these maintenance plans or they could come free of charge with the purchase of your tires.
Keep your tires in good condition
You may need tire rotations and replacements less often if you take good care of your tires. This means checking them often for nails, gouges and other damage. You should also keep them properly filled according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for each season.
It’s also wise to check often for uneven wear; catching this early can mean the difference between a simple rotation or needing to replace tires altogether.
Look for coupons and discounts
As with oil changes, tire rotation is a common maintenance service, so many providers publish deals and coupons. Be sure to check online, in the mail or ask about specials when booking your appointment.
FAQs
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Where can I get a free tire rotation?
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Can I rotate my own tires to save money?
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Is tire rotation worth the cost?
Stephanie Colestock is a seasoned writer specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, credit and debt management, banking, investing, retirement planning, and household finances.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Forbes, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys helping individuals make smarter financial decisions through her engaging and well-researched articles.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry and has more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet, where she covered loans. Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California, and Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
