When and How to Rotate Tires

When and How to Rotate Tires

Many car owners have the same question: why rotate tires? The answer is simple. Tires tend to wear unevenly and in most cases, front tires wear more especially at the sides. By rotating tires, you can ensure both front and rear tires have the same tread depth which will ensure a smooth and safe ride. Here, we have provided you with important information about when to rotate tires and how.

Understanding Tire Rotation

Tire rotation is a standard practice which involves changing the position of tires. For example, moving the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front. There are several tire rotation patterns like X-Pattern, Rearward Cross and Forward Cross. The right rotation pattern depends on various factors like the drivetrain of your vehicle (rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive).

When to Rotate Tires?

Tire rotation depends on various factors such as the drivetrain of your vehicle, number of miles and variance in tread depth of tires. If this information is more technical to you, refer to the car owner’s manual to know the right interval of rotating tires. According to auto experts, you should rotate tires with every engine oil change. Most car owners change their engine oil annually and they can also get tires rotated during their regular maintenance schedule. You need to rotate tires after every 10,000 miles and not wait until 15,000 miles. If you don’t drive your car much (less than 7,500 miles in a year), rotate tires every six months to maintain all tires in good condition.

How to Rotate Tires?

You can either take your car to the garage to get your tires rotated or you can do it by yourself. You will need a car jack and four jack stands if you choose to rotate the tires yourself.

Step One: Park Your Car Safely

You need to park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Once the car is parked safely, you need to remove the lugs and loosen nut bolts of the wheels. You should not remove the nut bolts entirely.

Step Two: Raise the Car from Ground Level

Place the car jack under one of the back wheels and raise the wheel. Place a jack stand underneath the jacking point located in front of the raised wheel. Remove the car jack and follow the same procedure to place jack stands in the other wheels. The only difference is that the jacking points at the front are positioned behind the front wheels.

Step Three: Rotate Tires

Once the car is safely elevated from the ground, remove the nuts and then remove the back wheel from the wheel hub and keep it aside. Now remove the front wheel in the same manner and fit the front wheel at the rear side. Then, fit the rear wheel you removed earlier at the front. Repeat the same procedure for the wheels on the other side.

Step Four: Ground the Car

Remove the jack stands and ground the vehicle. Tighten all nut bolts of the wheels.

Rotating tires is a recommended procedure that increases the service life of your tires and helps you get the best out them.