Tire Rotation?

[Frapp]

Something I just thought of today. I've been driving on the same set of tires since Summer 2002 (or before)...I think I got them rotated right before I left for college in Fall of that year..

Seeing as how I've been driving on the same set / rotation for about 2 years now, should I get them rotated right now or just get a new set of tires (too much wear?)?
Also, would the suspension of my car be affected by me not having rotated the tires..ever?

As some of you can probably tell by now, I'm not very knowledgeable about automobiles. Thanks in advance for the info.

[tom p.]

what sort of shape are the tires in?

[Accumulator]

Originally posted by Frapp
Something I just thought of today. I've been driving on the same set of tires since Summer 2002 (or before)...Seeing as how I've been driving on the same set / rotation for about 2 years now, should I get them rotated right now or just get a new set of tires (too much wear?)?

If you don't see any obviously worn out spots (no/thin tread left anywhere, in which case get new tires NOW), do the "penny test"- is the tread still deep enough that when you stick a penny in the groove the rubber covers part of Lincoln's head? If so, rotate them; if not, get new tires. And/or look for the "wear bars"- horizontal bits of rubber that cross the tread grooves (down inside the grooves)- when they are even with the tread, time for new tires.

Also, would the suspension of my car be affected by me not having rotated the tires..ever?

Nah, suspension problems hurt tires, but worn/unrotated tires don't hurt suspensions. Cars with uni-directional, different size tires (front/back) NEVER get tire rotations.

[Bill D]

When you do have them rotated,definitely insist the shop not OVERtighten the wheels. The shop I went to liked to get the wheels back on any old way too fast with a torque gun, significantly overtightening them. I found this out when my friend and I had to resort to putting a piece of pipe over a spinner wrench before we could get the wheel off--bad news if you get a flat and you're stock somewhere away from society

[jchetty]

Originally posted by Bill D
When you do have them rotated,definitely insist the shop not OVERtighten the wheels. The shop I went to liked to get the wheels back on any old way too fast with a torque gun, significantly overtightening them. I found this out when my friend and I had to resort to putting a piece of pipe over a spinner wrench before we could get the wheel off--bad news if you get a flat and you're stock somewhere away from society

......yeah tires should be rotated if possible. i mean corvettes is just one of the many cars that cant have tires rotated...if you can afford a vette then you can pay for the tires..on daily drivers, the more frequent the tire rotation the better. I rotate every 6 months, gives me the chance to check drivetain components and brake pads....what i do is when i detailing the wheelwells(every 6months), i use the spare and with that, i rotate and tighten to 80ft/lbs with my trust torque wrench...