What is a rotation and balance, and when and why do my tires need one?

Quite simply, tires wear differently based on their position on your car. Tires tend to wear down more quickly in the front, so by periodically rotating them to the back, you're extending their life, and helping to ensure that all of your tires wear out as evenly as possible. 

If your wheel is out of balance, it effects the way your tire hits the road, and can cause it to wear out more quickly. Balancing is adding small weights to your wheels to even out any variations. Out of balance wheels can also cause vibrations that will be felt either in the steering wheel or through your seat. 

Tires should be rotated and balanced approximately every 6,000 miles.