How often should I rotate or replace my tires?
Short answer:Labor Only Auto Repair recommends rotating every 5,000-7,500 miles, and replacing when tread hits 4/32" for wet-weather safety or by the tire's date code past 6-10 years.
Regular rotation is the single cheapest thing you can do to extend tire life. Front and rear tires wear at different rates because of weight distribution, drive layout, and steering forces — rotating every 5,000-7,500 miles evens that out and often adds 10,000-15,000 miles of usable life.
The legal minimum tread depth is 2/32", but wet-weather stopping distance degrades sharply below 4/32". If your vehicle carries family or you drive Central Texas thunderstorm season, plan replacement around the 4/32" mark rather than waiting for legal minimum.
Tire age matters too. Rubber compounds harden and crack as they age even if the tread looks fine, and most manufacturers recommend replacement at 6-10 years from the manufacturing date regardless of mileage. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall.
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