Run flat tyres may look like standard tyres, but they still need regular rotation to stay balanced and safe. In this guide, we explain how rotation extends tyre life, how often it should be done, and why it’s especially important for reinforced run flat designs.
Longtime vehicle owners and drivers will probably be familiar with the concept of tyre rotation. It is not, as it sounds, the very simple action of spinning a tyre – after all, this happens whenever you drive the vehicle!
Rather, tyre rotation is when you change the position of each tyre on the car, to ensure an evenly balanced level of wear across all four tyres. It is one of those maintenance actions that can prolong the lifespan of all four tyres, by ensuring that no single tyre is exposed to greater wear or pressure than the rest.
It can even be a condition of warranty for tyres manufactured by specific brands, as it is considered an integral step in ensuring that the vehicle runs smoothly.
But is the process, and the expectations regarding tyre rotation, the same for run flat tyres as well?
What Are Run Flat Tyres and How Do They Differ?
Run flat tyres look much the same as standard tyres – but they have one major difference.
The structure that lies underneath the rubber edge is reinforced and incredibly strong, with the ability to keep the tyre rotating even if the rubber blows and all pressure is lost.
This design trait has plenty of benefits for drivers and makes run flat tyres an incredibly popular option – enhancing the safety of the vehicle and optimising the convenience by preventing a puncture from halting a journey in its tracks.
But with run flat tyres not responding to a puncture or tyre wear in the same way as standard tyres, does this affect their need for rotation?
Should You Rotate Run Flat Tyres?
In short, yes.
The benefits of rotating tyres are the same, whether the tyres are of a standard design or run flat.
Rotating tyres means that the tyres are not stuck on a single wear pattern. Moving the position of each tyre on a regular basis ensures a more even spread of wear, both across each single tyre and across the four tyres as a set.
NOTE: If you didn’t do this, the reality of driving means that one or two of the tyres would be likely to become worn more quickly than the others, due to wheel alignment issues and road surfaces.
As such, rotating tyres also plays a role in optimising the handling of the vehicle, as it prevents long term uneven wear and tear, and optimises the lifespan of each tyre.
How Regularly Should You Rotate Run Flat Tyres?
Run flat tyres should ideally be rotated every 3,000-8,000 miles of driving.
This is slightly more regularly than the rotation plan for standard tyres, as there is a higher chance of wear and tear that you won’t have noticed from the driver seat, when dealing with run flat tyres. The reinforced design of these tyres means that they can become worn and uneven without you noticing – so regular rotation provides an opportunity to check the tyres and ensure they are not damaged.
It is critical that you follow the rotation pattern based on your vehicle style and the way it drives. The rotation pattern for a four-wheel drive car is different from that of a two-wheel drive car.
