Tire rotation moves tires between positions to equalize wear. Front tires wear faster than rear on front-wheel-drive vehicles due to weight distribution and steering. Without rotation, front tires hit replacement before rear.
Recommended interval: every 5,000-7,000 miles. Many drivers align rotation with oil changes for simplicity.
Rotation pattern depends on drivetrain. Front-wheel-drive: rears move straight forward, fronts cross to opposite rear positions. Rear-wheel-drive and AWD: fronts move straight back, rears cross to opposite front positions.
Directional tires (arrows on the sidewall) can only swap front-to-back on the same side. Staggered fitment (different sizes front vs. rear, common on performance cars) cannot be rotated at all.
Most tire shops include free rotation with tire purchase. Take advantage of it. Skipping rotation costs 20-30% of overall tire life — you end up buying two new fronts while the rears still have life left.