How often do you guys do tire rotations?

[02whiteLE]

I just got my second oil change on the '08 Camry. I skipped the tire rotation this time. Typically, I've always rotated at the first oil change, and then every other change after that. Since I drive a lot, and mostly highway miles, I don't see a need to rotate the tires (for $25) every time I get an oil change at the dealer. Thoughts? Comments?

[JSM1284]

Every other Oil Change is the best intreval.

[02whiteLE]

Well good. The service guy looked at me like I'd asked him to have my oil reservoir refilled with fresh mountain goat pee, then proceeded to let me know that rotating the tires is "paramount" to tire longevity. I just kinda figured that, at $25 per rotation, doing it every time MAY add an extra 5-10K of life to the tires, but the expense of those extra rotations would almost pay for a new set of tires when the time comes.
Thanks for verifying.

[07XLE]

Why pay someone to rotate the tires? Hell, I'll do it for a six pack.

[TRD VVTi]

Tire rotations should be done every oil change, which is in 5,000 mile intervals.

Regular tire rotations are huge when it comes to getting the most treadwear. Once you have irregular wear patterns they usually just get worse.

The more you rotate the better and longer the tires usually wear.

It's not all about achieving the maximum mileage either. Having even treadwear helps the vehicle to ride and handle properly. The rears cup/feather and the fronts edge wear. Rotations balance that out and cancel out the difference in wear patterns.

EDIT: For how cheap it is to rotate, I can't figure out why someone would skimp on it. I enjoy having my vehicle ride and perform as it's supposed to.

[tonyreo]

I rotate at every oil change, 5000 miles.
I usually do it myself, only takes about 30 minutes.
I don't have a torque wrench though, I just snug them up.
Thats the only thing I worry about doing it myself.

[geoff5093]

I get my tires rotated every 5K miles as well.

[Archosman]

How often should you balance and align?

[07toycamry]

Originally Posted by Archosman

How often should you balance and align?

once it starts shaking!

[JSM1284]

Originally Posted by Archosman

How often should you balance and align?

As needed for vibration, pulling, wandering, tire wear, etc....

[desentrix]

Alignments really don't need to be done, but once a year. (Even then, Firestone offers something like $70-Lifetime)

For rotating and balance, goto some place that offers lifetime R&B when you buy your tires from them. And go every other oil change.. Or do it yourself.

[Yazovets]

I rotate the tires twice a year.

[islandboy57]

First one @ 6K, second one @ 14K, third one @ 23K. I'll have to start doing it more often.. I'm still on my OEM tires.

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by Archosman

How often should you balance and align?

I got my tires aligned when I got my springs installed, and I dont plan on doing so again until I need new tires, or after the winter is over. As for balancing, I wasnt planning on doing that until I needed new tires either.

[kenny1773]

I have 30k on the original crapstone tires

I wanted them to die so I could justify to myself to buy new tires

I rotated them every OTHER oil change (10k miles), so yes, I have rotated them three times

They still look even, they have lots of tred and still ride as good as an OEM crapstone tire can ride

IMO - every 5k would have been a waste of time for me, I doubt anything would be different at 30k, tires are doing great, sadly

I do the rotation myself too, I have yet to find anyone that installs or rotates tires that does it correctly and they get a bit pissy when I pull the torque wrench out of the trunk and tell them to step aside.