Tire rotation - do the math.
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 653
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From: PA
PA law requires annual inspections, including checking brakes and rotors all around. If your state requires the same, they can do the rotation on the spot at no fee (if you don’t drive over 10k miles annually) since they remove the tires to do the check.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 250
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From: WI
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: NC
Questions about tire rotations come up often here. I just bought 4 new tires for my RX and started doing the math on the value of tire rotations.
I paid about $800 for 4 new tires at Costco with the hope of getting 50,000 miles of use on them. If I followed Lexus recommendations and paid them about $50 to rotate the tires every 5000 miles, I would spend another $500 on tire rotations. $500 is worth about 30,000 of tire wear. I would have to get an additional 30,000 miles of tire wear on those tires from rotating them just to break even much less saving any money.
I am not sure what the most optimistic expectation for extended tire wear from rotating the tires regularly but I would guess that it might be something like 10%. If this was correct, I would be spending $500 on tire rotations to get an additional 5000 miles of tire wear which is worth about $75 based on my original $8000 new tire purchase. In other Lexus wants me to spend $500 to save something like $75.
My conclusion is that paying a dealer to do tire rotations is a complete suckers bet. I won’t do it anymore. If I don’t feel like rotating them myself, I will just replace them 10% sooner and be money far ahead.
Can anyone explain how the tire rotation math makes any sense except for the dealers bottom line.
I paid about $800 for 4 new tires at Costco with the hope of getting 50,000 miles of use on them. If I followed Lexus recommendations and paid them about $50 to rotate the tires every 5000 miles, I would spend another $500 on tire rotations. $500 is worth about 30,000 of tire wear. I would have to get an additional 30,000 miles of tire wear on those tires from rotating them just to break even much less saving any money.
I am not sure what the most optimistic expectation for extended tire wear from rotating the tires regularly but I would guess that it might be something like 10%. If this was correct, I would be spending $500 on tire rotations to get an additional 5000 miles of tire wear which is worth about $75 based on my original $8000 new tire purchase. In other Lexus wants me to spend $500 to save something like $75.
My conclusion is that paying a dealer to do tire rotations is a complete suckers bet. I won’t do it anymore. If I don’t feel like rotating them myself, I will just replace them 10% sooner and be money far ahead.
Can anyone explain how the tire rotation math makes any sense except for the dealers bottom line.
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 577
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From: NJ
I think that the nitrogen theory is just that. The air we breathe is 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen. I guess the other 1% is what destroys tire life. Not you driving habits or pot holes or under/over tire inflation and believing that everyone's tires should last for exactly how long the manufacturer say they will. And tires are prorated with a steep decline. Not 50% wear on a $200 tire will get you $100 back.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 345
From: Ontario, Canada
I think that the nitrogen theory is just that. The air we breathe is 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen. I guess the other 1% is what destroys tire life. Not you driving habits or pot holes or under/over tire inflation and believing that everyone's tires should last for exactly how long the manufacturer say they will. And tires are prorated with a steep decline. Not 50% wear on a $200 tire will get you $100 back.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: CA
RX 450H 2020 front or back tires: which wear faster?
I had to replace the two front tires after a flat tire, and COSTCO put the new tires at the back per their policy. Which tires wear faster, front or back? I am doing maintenance soon and need to decide if I need to do a rotation so the tires will even out.
EDIT: it's AWD
EDIT: it's AWD
Last edited by hz64; Jan 9, 2022 at 10:14 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 979
Likes: 696
From: Ohio
Right. LeX2K's point is that the Toyota/Lexus AWD design is "Basic FWD plus power to the rear wheels when it is needed." When cruising along on level ground at a steady speed, it is FWD only.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 128
Likes: 54
From: TX
The only reason I rotate my tires is because I bought them at Discount tire. I have the tire coverage certificates which require me to rotate them to maintain that coverage. That said, rotation (including spin/balance) is included so I just take it up there every 5k miles. It just costs me a little time, but since my gym is next door, I usually just go over there and workout while I'm waiting on it.
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