Blog / Savage 61 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Service

Understanding the Importance of Rotating and Balancing Your Tires

January 26, 2024 · 3 min read

Let's be real for a moment: the last time a dealer recommended a tire rotation, did you think you were being hustled? That's understandable! The majority of dealerships and manufacturers do a poor job of explaining what tire rotation and balancing involves, leaving drivers to suspect it's just another addition to your bill.

In reality, rotating and balancing your tires regularly is the most surefire way to increase your tires’ lifespan. Courtesy of the engineering experts here at Savage 61, here’s why you should make tire rotations a regular part of your maintenance routine.

What Exactly Is Tire Rotation?

Tire rotation is actually quite a simple process. It involves moving your tires from one area of your car to another. Typical tire rotation follows the same pattern: with front-wheel-drive cars, front tires typically get shifted straight back, while the rear tires are moved to opposite sides on the front. The opposite applies for rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles, in which the rear tires are moved straight forward, while the front wheels are moved to opposite sides of the rear.

You don’t need to rotate your tires excessively – the recommended interval is 5,000 to 8,000 miles – but requesting a tire rotation whenever you get your oil changed (or at least every other time) is a safe habit to get into. If you notice a decrease in tire pressure or abnormal vibrations when steering, these could be signals that your tires are ready to relocate.

Okay, I Know What Tire Rotation Is. But Why Is It Important?

So just why is it so important for your vehicle to play musical tires like this? Tire rotation prevents uneven tire wear caused by the front of your car being heavier than the rear. By balancing the tread on your tires, you can enjoy a smoother ride without any vibrations. Additionally, this provides better traction on slippery or narrow roads, improving your overall safety while driving.

On the other hand, an uneven tread on your tires can lead to faster wear and deflation, which in turn reduces fuel efficiency. That's why tire rotation is vital not only for preserving the health of your tires, but also for the well-being of your engine. If the air pressure in your tires is consistently measuring low, it may be time to schedule a service appointment with us.

So Then... What’s Tire Balancing?

When balancing, mechanics use a machine to confirm that the weight of the tire and wheel are balanced. If imbalanced, they attach small lead weights to the rim of the wheel until a perfect equilibrium is reached.

Keeping your tires balanced goes hand in hand with regular rotations, as both procedures adhere to the same suggested timelines. If you choose to rotate and balance your tires during each oil change, many garages will provide them as a complimentary service.

Find Your Perfect Balance Today

Here at Savage 61, our enormous inventory is filled with a ride range of new and pre-owned vehicles, from the sleek and steady Dodge Charger to the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. With the help of Pennsylvania's most awarded dealership, you'll drive off our lot having discovered the perfect balance you were seeking.

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Mar 31, 2022 in Savage 61 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Service

What is Synthetic Oil and How Often Should I Change It?

Some may say that the engine is the most important part of your vehicle, but the truth is, it isn’t the engine itself, but what runs through it that is the most important part of your vehicle. Engine oil is the most important part of your vehicle, as it protects vital components of your engine that keep your car running right. Through short trips, weekend joy rides, and long cruises, the oil in your engine heats up and cools off multiple times, and must not degrade during this process as that could cause engine wear and tear, and eventual failure. To keep engine oil from degrading quickly, oil manufacturers turned to synthetic oil blends which degrade at a slower rate and even provide improved protection to the engine. Synthetic oil is far more refined than traditional oil, resulting in less engine friction, reduced sludge buildup, and even better engine performance. If you’re located in Reading or the surrounding areas and wondering when you should change your oil, you’ll want to read the rest of this blog! What is Synthetic Oil? Synthetic oil is an artificial lubricant that was designed to reduce friction and wear of internal combustion engines, as well as replace traditional motor oil. Developed from chemically modified petroleum instead of crude oil, synthetic oil provides better performance by reducing friction and wear of your engine, far better than a traditional motor oil can. Synthetic oil tends to degrade at a slower rate than traditional motor oil, making it an attractive choice to auto manufacturers attempting to keep their vehicle maintenance costs low. One of the best benefits of synthetic oil that often goes overlooked is it’s reduced impact on the environment. With synthetic oil usage on the rise, the world’s reliance on crude oil has decreased, thus reducing the environmental impact that oil has. If you want to reduce your vehicle maintenance costs, wear and tear, and environmental impact, using synthetic oil in your car is the way to go! Why Should I Use Synthetic Oil? The use of synthetic oil isn’t just about reducing your environmental impact or stopping the use of crude oil throughout the world, its best trick is increasing the performance of your engine! Synthetic oil is great to use in your engine, as it can withstand a wider range of temperatures, is more stable, and causes less engine sludge. Using synthetic oil also means your internal engine parts will stay better lubricated, meaning less wear and tear on your engine and better performance too. With a longer lifecycle, synthetic oil allows you to stretch the time between changes, as they last anywhere from 7,500 to 15,000 miles. This longer lifecycle means you can save money and not worry about your engine’s performance degrading or being at risk. If you own a newer car with a turbocharged or hybrid engine, using synthetic oil is a must as these engines have higher compression ratios which cause extreme wear and tear. How Often Should I Change My Oil? Each vehicle and engine has different requirements for oil change intervals, but its been a general rule of thumb to change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles. These days, however, oil change intervals seem to be growing, with most manufacturers making the switch to synthetic or fully synthetic oil. Since synthetic oil takes far longer to degrade and can withstand higher temperatures, you should be able to stretch out the time you take between oil changes. With most synthetic oil manufacturers claiming to get tens of thousands of miles between each oil change, it’s easy to get confused about when you should be swapping out your oil. The best way to know when to get an oil change is to read your car’s owner’s manual, as it will list all the various service intervals needed to maintain your car properly. If you’re unsure of when to change your oil, simply call up the parts and service experts here at Savage 61, we’ll be happy to provide you with that information. Where Can I Get Synthetic Oil? You can purchase synthetic oil from your local auto supply store, or you could stop in here at Savage 61 as we stock the widest variety of synthetic oils around. Not only will we have the exact synthetic oil and filter you’re looking for in stock, but we’ll have it at the best price as well. Is it time to change your oil? Have it changed here at Savage 61, as we have the best team of expert mechanics and the lowest prices in the Reading area. Don’t waste your precious weekend beneath your vehicle, let our certified mechanics here at Savage 61 Service Center, located in Reading.

Aug 10, 2021 in Reading Chrysler Dealer

Servicing the Summer, a Summer Road-Trip Checklist

Sweet, Sweet, Summer For generations Americans have utilized the summer season as the peak season for vacations and road-trips, creating memories that will last a lifetime in just a few short days or weeks spent in the sun. With a sprawling interstate system and a fully charged GPS, you’re gearing up to hit the road and create some memories of your own, but before you head out make sure to read this summer road-trip checklist to make sure you’re fully prepared to have a great trip. There’s nothing quite like a road-trip cut short by unexpected vehicle trouble, avoid all of that by diligently prepping your vehicle for the harsh conditions a summer road-trip presents. In this list we’ll share a few tips on car maintenance that will make your summer road-trip one for the record books. Check Fluids Before embarking on your summer adventure, make sure to stop by Savage 61 Dodge to have our service team top off your vehicle’s fluids. Ensuring that your vehicle has plenty of coolant, washer fluid and oil is a great way to guarantee a safe, fun, summer road-trip. New Oil & Filter A simple and effective way to have a great summer road-trip is by having your oil and filter changed before you hit the road. Keep your vehicle happy and your mind worry free by routinely changing the oil and filter, which can be quickly done at Savage 61 Dodge in Reading, PA. Test the A/C No road-trip would be complete without icy-cold air blowing out from the vents, make sure to test your vehicle’s air conditioning before hitting the road. If your A/C isn’t blowing cold air, there is a good chance your vehicle’s A/C needs a “recharge” which can be performed by our service team at Savage 61 Dodge. Nothing is “cooler” than a working A/C system! Check your Tire Pressure There is nothing more deflating than an unexpected flat tire in the midst of your summer road-trip, that’s why it’s best practice to stop at Savage 61 Dodge to have your tire pressure checked during your pre-departure vehicle inspection. A vehicle with proper tire pressure levels not only will drive smoother, but will also get better miles per gallon, as well as being safer to drive in general. Keep your tires full so your pockets don’t get emptied! Now Hit the Road With a vehicle that has been properly serviced and looked after, summer road-trips are guaranteed to be filled with fun and great memories. Savage 61 Dodge is here to make sure your vehicle is ready to embark on that road-trip by providing fast, efficient and affordable service no matter how small the service may be. Stop in at Savage 61 Dodge in Reading, PA, to complete your summer road-trip checklist!