To rotate your tires properly, follow these key steps and patterns based on your vehicle drive type and tire type:
Preparation
- Park on level ground, engage the parking brake, and place wheel chocks to prevent rolling.
- Loosen lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
- Use a jack and jack stands to lift and secure the vehicle safely
Tire Rotation Patterns
For Non-Directional Tires (most common)
- Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): Use a forward cross pattern:
- Move the front tires straight back to the rear.
- Move the rear tires diagonally to the opposite front positions (left rear to right front, right rear to left front)
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD): Use a rear cross pattern:
- Move the rear tires straight forward to the front.
- Move the front tires diagonally to the opposite rear positions (left front to right rear, right front to left rear)
- Four-Wheel Drive (4WD): Often follows the same pattern as RWD or AWD vehicles
For Directional Tires
- Rotate front to rear on the same side only; do not switch sides to maintain tread direction
For Vehicles with a Full-Size Spare Tire
- A five-tire rotation can be done if the spare matches the other tires:
- For FWD: left front → left rear, left rear → right front, right rear → left front, spare → right rear, right front → spare.
- For RWD/AWD: left rear → left front, left front → spare, spare → right rear, right rear → right front, right front → left rear
How to Rotate Tires Step-by-Step
- Loosen lug nuts slightly while tires are on the ground.
- Lift the vehicle and secure with jack stands.
- Remove tires and move them according to the appropriate rotation pattern.
- Reinstall tires and hand-tighten lug nuts.
- Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts to manufacturer specifications.
- After driving about 60 miles, re-torque lug nuts
Additional Tips
- Check tire pressure and inspect tires for uneven wear or damage during rotation.
- Follow your vehicle’s owner manual for specific recommendations.
- Regular rotation (every 3,000 to 5,000 miles) promotes even wear, extends tire life, and maintains handling and safety
By following these guidelines, you can ensure balanced tire wear, improved traction, and longer tire life. Tire rotation is a manageable DIY task with the right tools and precautions
