Rotating tires is important for car maintenance (and always has been). Tire wear is uniform if the corresponding wheel and tire are rotated on a given axis. Below will tell you how to rotate tires, why to rotate your tires, how often should you rotate tires, and some FAQs.
According to the tire types and sizes, the methods of rotating tires are different. Let’s find the step-by-step guide. Keep reading.
How to Rotate Tires Properly?
Here are the details:
For Tires That Are of Uniform Size and Non-directional:
- REARWARD CROSS
The rearward cross pattern is advised for vehicles with 4-wheel, all-wheel, or rear-wheel drive. The front tires are moved to the rear axle‘s opposing sides, while the rear tires are moved to the forward axle and kept on the same side of the car.
- X-PATTERN
All tires are moved diagonally, which means they are moved from one side to the other and from one axle to the opposite, and is recommended for front-wheel drive vehicles like light trucks and sedans.
- FORWARD CROSS
The most typical pattern for front-wheel drive cars is this one. The tires on the front axle are moved straight back, and the tires on the back axle are moved diagonally up to the side of the front axle.
For Tires That Are of Uniform Size and Non-directional With a Full-size Spare Tire:
You should rotate your full-size spare tire along with the other four in order to ensure that all of the tires on your car have an even amount of tread wear. This is crucial for all-wheel or four-wheel drive cars because even minor variations can put an undue strain on the drive train.
- REARWARD CROSS (REAR-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES):
Both rear axle tires move directly forward to the front axle while the spare tire moves to the right side of the rear axle. While the left front tire serves as your new spare tire, the right front tire is moved diagonally back to the left side of the rear axle.
- FORWARD CROSS (FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES):
On the front axle, the rear tires are shifted diagonally to the opposing sides, and the right front tire is changed to the spare. While the left tire on the front axle is shifted straight back into the left rear position, the spare tire is mounted on the right side of the rear axle.
For High Performance and Directional Tires:
- SIDE-TO-SIDE (FOR DIFFERENTLY-SIZED PERFORMANCE TIRES ON THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES)
Every tire is replaced with a pair of the same size while staying on the same axle. The two front tires also switch to the other side with the two rear tires.
- FRONT-TO-BACK (FOR DIRECTIONAL TIRES)
On the same side of the vehicle, all tires are switched from one axle to the other. For instance, the rear left tire may be shifted to the left side of the front axle while the front left tire remains in its original location.
Why Rotate Your Tires?
Tire wear varies between the front and rear tires. For instance, the front tires of your car bear more than 60% of its weight; as a result, the front tires deteriorate more quickly than the rear ones. The front tires also deteriorate at different rates as you turn. In America, we typically make left turns more quickly than right ones. This puts more load on the right front tire which results in the right tire wearing faster than your left. You develop uneven tread wear after driving for many miles.
By shifting the positions of your tires, tire rotation equalizes these innate wear patterns. You’ll enjoy a smoother, safer ride if you rotate your tires frequently. Additionally, by extending the life of your tires, you’ll save money in the long run—at least for me.
Oh, and turning tires around also has a manly vibe.
How Often Should You Rotate Tires?
The recommended tire rotation schedule can be found in the owner’s manual of your car. Tire rotation every 5,000 miles is generally advised by manufacturers. An easy way to remember to rotate your tires is to do it whenever you change the oil on your car.
FAQs
Can I Do a Tire Rotation Myself?
For doing your own home tire rotation, you’ll need a car jack, lug nut wrench, and jack stands. More user-friendly than the small scissor jack in your trunk is a hydraulic floor jack. Take care to only lift the car from stable surfaces, like the frame. The manual will outline precise locations on your car where the jack should be used.
How Do You Tell If Your Tires Are Directional?
On directional tires, there’s an arrow on the sidewall of the tires — when correctly mounted, the arrow points toward the front of the vehicle. The hydroplaning resistance and other performance driving benefits that directional tires are intended to provide are not available if they are mounted in the wrong direction.
What Happens If Tire Rotation is Wrong?
If directional tires are mounted in the incorrect direction, the special tread will not function properly. This means that the tyres will not hold the road very well and the risk of aquaplaning will be greater. In addition to wearing out more quickly, incorrectly mounted tires make more noise while driving.
Do I Need to Balance Tires After Rotation?
It’s not completely necessary to balance tires when rotating, but it is a good idea to do so. The rotation is frequently done in conjunction with the balancing process because it is a cheap process to have a shop perform. It is entirely up to you whether you want to balance if you are performing a rotation yourself.
Summary: How to Rotate Tires Properly?
According to the tire types and sizes, the methods of rotating tires are different. Above tell three kinds of tire rotation.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
