Tire rotation how often car


How and Why to Rotate Your Tires

Tire rotation, that is routinely repositioning your vehicle’s tires in specific patterns from front to back or side to side, is an important element of tire upkeep and safety. Additionally, rotating your tires may also be required to keep your tires covered under warranty. For a quick visual summary of tire rotation, check out our Tread Life episode about tire rotation. Read on for more information about what tire rotation is, why tire rotation patterns matter, and the correct pattern for your vehicle’s needs.

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WHAT IS TIRE ROTATION?

Tire rotation means periodically changing the position of each of the tires on your vehicle. You should rotate your tires as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, or every 5,000 miles. For many of you, that will mean when you get your vehicle’s oil changed.

Regularly rotating your tires also gives you a good opportunity to visually inspect them for damage, check their air pressure, have them rebalanced if you’re noticing any vibration, and check their tread depth.

WHY IS TIRE ROTATION IMPORTANT?

There are several reasons why tire rotation is an important element of your standard tire care. First, by routinely rotating your tires, wear is spread evenly across all four tires, and their tread life is maximized. That’s because each specific position on your vehicle requires a different give from each tire—(for example, tires on the front of a front-wheel drive vehicle will take a larger proportion of the torque and friction that’s needed for turning, accelerating and braking)—and can lead to more, or less, wear on the tire. It is especially important to rotate new tires by 5,000 miles because deep, fresh tire tread is more susceptible to uneven wear.

Secondly, even tread wear keeps the tread depth on your tires uniform, which can help keep traction and handling consistent across all four tires. This will improve cornering and braking performance and keep your vehicle safer for driving overall.

Finally, if your vehicle has all-wheel-drive, evenly worn tires lower the stresses on the drivetrain, reducing wear on expensive drive components.

OUR BEST TIRES

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Alenza AS ULTRA

For those looking for a luxury tire experience

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Turanza QuietTrack

80,000 miles of quiet, comfort and control*

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Dueler H/L Alenza Plus

Keep your life on a roll

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Ecopia H/L 422 PLUS

All-season tires that won't stop until they get you there

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WeatherPeak

Confident all-weather protection

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Ecopia EP422 Plus

Drive more and fill up your tank less*

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DriveGuard PLUS

Extended mobility PLUS improved performance through the elements

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Dueler H/L ALENZA

Built for your truck, SUV, or CUV

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Dueler H/T 684 II

Tires that take you on a thrill ride

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DriveGuard

Tough enough to take a puncture*

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Dueler H/T 685

Ready for heavy-duty hauls

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Potenza RE980AS PLUS

High performance driving all year long

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Dueler H/P SPORT AS

Handle it all in your high performance CUV or SUV

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Duravis R238

Ready for the long haul

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Duravis M700 HD

Built to keep you and your workload going

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Duravis R500 HD

Built for the demands of commercial highway driving

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Alenza AS ULTRA

For those looking for a luxury tire experience

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Dueler H/L Alenza Plus

Keep your life on a roll

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Dueler H/L ALENZA

Built for your truck, SUV, or CUV

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Dueler A/T REVO 3

Take on the intensity of on and off road driving

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Dueler H/T 684 II

Tires that take you on a thrill ride

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Dueler H/T 685

Ready for heavy-duty hauls

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Dueler H/P SPORT AS

Handle it all in your high performance CUV or SUV

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Dueler H/P SPORT

Next level summer performance for your Sport Truck or SUV

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Duravis R238

Ready for the long haul

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Duravis M700 HD

Built to keep you and your workload going

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Duravis R500 HD

Built for the demands of commercial highway driving

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Blizzak LM001

For winters worst

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Blizzak LM-32

Luxury takes on winter

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Blizzak LM005

Impressive grip and control

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Blizzak DM-V2

Navigate through snow and ice in your SUV, CUV, or truck

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Blizzak LT

Built for blizzards and winters worst in a commerical light truck or van

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Blizzak WS90

Confident control in winter conditions

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Blizzak W965

Keep your commercial truck or van in commission all winter

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Potenza SPORT

Take control of the track

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Potenza RE050A

Sleek, sporty, and cornering performance

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Potenza S007A RFT

Take your sports car for a spin

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Dueler H/P SPORT

Next level summer performance for your Sport Truck or SUV

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Potenza RE-71R

Feel the rush with tires inspired by racing

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Potenza RE-71RS

Chase your competitive spirit

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Alenza AS ULTRA

For those looking for a luxury tire experience

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Turanza QuietTrack

80,000 miles of quiet, comfort and control*

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Dueler H/L Alenza Plus

Keep your life on a roll

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Ecopia H/L 422 PLUS

All-season tires that won't stop until they get you there

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WeatherPeak

Confident all-weather protection

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Ecopia EP422 Plus

Drive more and fill up your tank less*

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DriveGuard PLUS

Extended mobility PLUS improved performance through the elements

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Dueler H/L ALENZA

Built for your truck, SUV, or CUV

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Dueler A/T REVO 3

Take on the intensity of on and off road driving

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Dueler H/T 684 II

Tires that take you on a thrill ride

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DriveGuard

Tough enough to take a puncture*

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Dueler H/T 685

Ready for heavy-duty hauls

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Potenza RE980AS PLUS

High performance driving all year long

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Dueler H/P SPORT AS

Handle it all in your high performance CUV or SUV

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Potenza SPORT

Take control of the track

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Potenza RE050A

Sleek, sporty, and cornering performance

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Potenza S007A RFT

Take your sports car for a spin

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Dueler H/P SPORT

Next level summer performance for your Sport Truck or SUV

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Potenza RE-71R

Feel the rush with tires inspired by racing

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Blizzak LM001

For winters worst

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Blizzak LM-32

Luxury takes on winter

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Potenza RE-71RS

Chase your competitive spirit

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Blizzak LM005

Impressive grip and control

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Duravis R238

Ready for the long haul

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Blizzak DM-V2

Navigate through snow and ice in your SUV, CUV, or truck

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Duravis M700 HD

Built to keep you and your workload going

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Duravis R500 HD

Built for the demands of commercial highway driving

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Blizzak LT

Built for blizzards and winters worst in a commerical light truck or van

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Blizzak WS90

Confident control in winter conditions

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Blizzak W965

Keep your commercial truck or van in commission all winter

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View DriveGuard Tires

WHAT TIRE ROTATION PATTERN SHOULD I UTILIZE?

The tire rotation pattern that’s best for your vehicle will depend on the type of tire you’re using, whether your vehicle is front, rear, all, or four-wheel drive, whether your tires are directional or non-directional, whether or not your tires are the same size on the front and rear of your vehicle, and whether you have a full-size spare that can be rotated through as well, unlike a temporary spare. . Let’s take a look at tire rotation patterns recommended by the standardizing body of the tire industry, The Tire and Rim Association, Inc., for all of these possibilities.

SAMPLE VISUAL:

FOR TIRES THAT ARE OF UNIFORM SIZE AND NON-DIRECTIONAL:

1.     REARWARD CROSS

For vehicles that are rear wheel drive vehicles, the rearward cross pattern is recommended. Rear tires are moved to the forward axle and kept on the same side of the vehicle while the front tires are moved to opposite sides of the rear axle.

2.     X-PATTERN

Recommended for 4-wheel and all wheel drive vehicles such as light-weight trucks and sedans, all tires are moved diagonally, meaning tires are switched from one axle to the opposite as well as being repositioned from one side to the other.

3.     FORWARD CROSS

This is the most common pattern for front-wheel drive vehicles. The front axle tires are moved directly back while the rear tires are moved up diagonally to the opposite side of the front axle.

FOR TIRES THAT ARE OF UNIFORM SIZE AND NON-DIRECTIONAL WITH A FULL-SIZE SPARE TIRE:

In order to insure that all of the tires on your vehicle have even tread wear, you’ll want to be sure to rotate your full-size spare tire along with the other four. This is especially vital for all-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicles where even small differences can put undue strain on your car’s drive train.

1.     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. The right front tire moves diagonally back to the left side of the rear axle while the left front tire becomes your new spare tire.

2.     FORWARD CROSS (FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES):

Rear tires are moved diagonally to opposite sides on the front axle while the right front tire becomes the new spare tire. The spare tire is positioned on the right side of the rear axle while the left tire on the front axle is moved directly back into the left rear position.

SAMPLE VISUAL:

FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE AND DIRECTIONAL TIRES:

1.     SIDE-TO-SIDE (FOR DIFFERENTLY-SIZED PERFORMANCE TIRES ON THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES)

All tires are switched with their same-sized partner and remain on the same axle. The two rear tires switch to the opposite side with one another while the two front tires do the same.

2.     FRONT-TO-BACK (FOR DIRECTIONAL TIRES)

All tires are moved from one axle to the other but remain on the same side of the vehicle. For example, the front left tire is moved to the left side of the rear axle while the rear left tire is repositioned on the left side of the front axle.

How Often Do I REALLY Need to Rotate My Tires?

The science of tire tread wear is simple: The more a tire contacts the ground, the more it will wear down. Once tires wear down, they become less effective and will eventually fail – in one way or another. See? Simple.

However, all four car tires won’t wear down at the same rate. You must also take into consideration factors like weight distribution, braking, tire brand and type, drivetrain (AWD, FWD, etc.), and overall road conditions. This makes it more difficult to time tire rotation schedules on an individual basis. For instance, someone who frequently drives through Sedalia’s pothole-y roads to and from Whiteman AFB might need to rotate their tires more regularly than someone who sticks to highways. It’s all in the details.

Just as it was 30 years ago, rotating tires and general tire service are critical parts of auto maintenance. A good tire rotation, performed at the right time, will prevent your tires from wearing unevenly and, ultimately, increase their lifespan.

So, here’s our answer to the question, “How often should I get a tire rotation?” For all intents and purposes, you should aim to rotate your tires every oil change or after every 5,000 miles. This is the recommended Toyota maintenance plan and tire rotation schedule for Corolla, Camry, and most other new Toyota models for sale.

Can’t remember the last time you had your tires looked at or worked on? You might want to schedule an auto maintenance appointment at a local service center near you, especially if you notice any of these problems.

Top 5 Warning Signs You May Need a Tire Rotation

1. Bald tires

Give your tires an up-close inspection. Any bald spots – when there is no longer any tread design visible – are a clear sign that your tires not only need to be rotated but they should also be replaced. Here are 7 obvious red flags that you need new tires.

2. Vibrations while driving

Uneven tire wear can make your vehicle feel like it’s a roller coaster at high speeds. If you notice your vehicle is vibrating when you get on the highway, you should check your tire tread for signs of wear.

Vibrations aren’t always caused by uneven tire tread, however. It’s just one big red flag that you need a tire inspection. A simple trip to your auto service center for a tire check is the easiest way to find out what the problem is.

3. Pulling to one side

A vehicle should drive straight when you release the steering wheel. Even the slightest curvature is a sign that your tires aren’t aligned properly. This could be caused by very uneven tire wear, though it’s more likely a sign that you need to get a wheel alignment.

When aligning your wheels, your mechanic or service technician will likely rotate your tires to ensure future tread wear is more evenly distributed. The tire rotation pattern is different for FWD, AWD and RWD vehicles, so it’s imperative that you let a qualified auto technician rotate your tires per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

4. Tire pressure keeps going down

If you notice one tire keeps losing air while the others remain full, there could be a weak spot in the tire that’s caused by tread damage or excessive wear. This is usually the case with driver-side tires, as that’s where the driver’s weight is anchored.

Your TPMS may alert you to this issue. Refill your tire(s) and keep an eye out for another TPMS warning light. If it does, you should make an appointment with your auto service center.

5. Worsening MPGs

Because your tires aren’t up to snuff, the rest of your vehicle has to pick up the slack, resulting in poor fuel efficiency. The steering wheel needs to be manually adjusted to rectify any pulling. Weight becomes distributed unevenly, which puts more pressure on your other “good” tires.

If you don’t rotate your tires, you could reduce your fuel economy by up to 3%. That may not seem like a lot, but 3% more trips to the gas station over the course of several years is likely more than the cost of a routine tire rotation.

What Happens if I Don’t Rotate My Tires?

A skipped tire rotation, especially if your tires have already driven for 50,000 or more miles, can lead to numerous major problems, including:

  • Flat tires
  • Tire blowouts due to friction
  • Higher chance of punctures
  • Poor braking
  • Skidding and hydroplaning
  • No traction in snow and on ice
  • Wheel damage
  • Suspension damage
  • Brad pad deterioration

 

Schedule a Tire Rotation in Sedalia

Don’t put off rotating your tires in Sedalia. Stick to your routine auto maintenance schedule by visiting McCarthy Toyota. Book an appointment for a tire rotation, inspection, or balancing today, and we’ll ensure your vehicle gets first-class treatment from the moment it rolls into our service bay.

Want a tire rotation price estimate? Contact our Toyota service center near Knob Noster at (660) 826-5400 to speak with a member of our team. If you need assistance paying for new tires or your entire visit, you’ll be glad to know that we also offer auto service financing.

Categories: Service | Tags: Bald tires, Tire Hazards, Tire Rotation, Vibrations while driving | Permalink

Why swap tires? ➤ Answer and advice ⨷ ROSAVA

Many people read about rearranging tires along the axles in old textbooks for drivers. But in modern operation, off-season tire changes are almost never found. Why rotate wheels today and when?

Why change tires?

Swapping tires and changing them between axles is designed to equalize the wear rate of all tires and extend the life of your vehicle's wheels.

  • Modern front-wheel drive vehicles heavy load falls on the tires of the front axle. This is also due to more intensive braking of the front wheels (greater load on the front axle with each braking). It can also be caused by the probable slipping of the tires of the front axle during a sharp start from a place or starting off on a slope.
  • On RWD vehicles this wear is more even but also highly dependent on style and operating conditions.

Therefore, it is recommended to change the tires periodically from the rear axle to the front axle and vice versa. Too often, this procedure is also not worth doing. Enough rotate every 8-10 thousand km.


If you regularly operate the car with a full load and at high speeds, then with such an aggressive mode of it is better to change shoes every 5-6 thousand km.

For motorists who drive 15-20 thousand km per year on average , the need to change the position of tires in the middle of summer or winter disappears. Just remember which tire was on the front and rear axles, and at the next seasonal change, install them with "offset" (swap the axles of their installation).

In order not to forget the position, sign the old position on the side of the wheel with a special wax marker. Some tires also have special fields for this marking.

If you notice that the tires begin to wear unevenly, the outer or inner side of the tread wears out faster, then is recommended to be replaced before . Also in parallel with this, you need to check the alignment.

What must be considered when rotating the wheels?

1. Tread directionality. Many modern tires have a directional tread pattern. In order not to reduce the efficiency of the tire and not worsen the handling of the car, when rotating the wheels, it is recommended to carefully monitor the direction of the wheel rolling, which is marked on the sidewall of the tire with a special arrow.

2. Balancing. When changing wheels, it is recommended to check their balance and, if necessary, change the value of the weights. Unbalanced wheels wear out faster and negatively affect the resource of steering elements.

3. Tire size. When changing tires along the axles, remember that on some machines the width and height of the profile of the front and rear wheels may differ.

Tires of various sizes are found on electric vehicles, compact city cars, and sports cars.

What wheel change options are available?

To change the tires along the axles, you can use the services of a tire fitting or a comprehensive car service. But in good weather, you can simply rearrange the wheels yourself, you just need to use a serviceable tool and perform all the operations correctly: install a jack, do not forget about the stops under the wheels, and so on.

Tire rotation patterns

There are several wheel rotation patterns. The most popular variant is the cross pattern , when the front left wheel becomes the rear right and vice versa, and the front right is installed from the left rear and also vice versa.

This circuit is universal, will fit vehicles with any type of drive .

On machines with rear and all wheel drive , it is recommended to use a scheme in which the rear wheels become front wheels diagonally , and the front ones are back, but without changing sides.

If your vehicle is equipped with tires with a directional tread pattern, then for them the only working scheme is interchanging front and rear wheels in places without changing sides .

Of course, it is recommended to swap tires of different sizes only within the same axle.

Also available with spare wheel included in the rotation scheme. As a rule, all options using five wheels are described in the vehicle manual. But remember that on most new cars, the role of a spare tire is performed by a narrow "reserve", on which both the maximum speed and mileage are significantly limited. In addition, often a spare tire, even on a car from a car dealership, is installed of a different brand and model than those in which the four main wheels are shod. Because changing wheels, taking into account the "reserve" requires accuracy .

Rotation of truck wheels

It is recommended to change truck tires every 40-45 thousand kilometers or in case of uneven or/and uneven tread wear. Rotation saves your changeover budget by wearing all tires evenly. This is especially important in cargo transportation, where the cost per kilometer (CPC) is taken into account.

UPC = (Tire Cost + Maintenance - Carcass Price) ÷ Mileage (km).

When planning, consider:

  • Assignment of the tire to a specific position.
  • Load each individual vehicle axle.
  • Tire tread depth measurement .

If we consider the load of the axles, then in the three-axle trailer the third axle experiences the greatest load , the second axle the smallest . If universal cargo wheels are purchased, then they can be put on any axle, preferably , first to the steering position , and then rearrange the free-rolling axle to .

From time to time it is necessary to measure the tread depth of and swap the least with the most worn wheels of the same functional purpose.

Please note that twin wheels must also be changed if the residual depth difference is more than . If the difference in the diameters of the twin wheels has reached 6 mm , then the permutation must also be done immediately .

When rotating non-directional tires, it is recommended to reverse their direction of rotation, if this is allowed for their model.

Changing the wheels of a car. How often should tires be rotated?

Contents:

  • Why do I have to change the wheels on my car?
    • Wheel rotation helps maintain and improve your vehicle's handling and safety
    • Tire rotation promotes even tire wear, so they last longer
    • Tire manufacturers require tire rotation as a condition of maintaining their warranty
  • How much does it cost to rotate wheels?
  • Wheel rotation diagrams for different drives and tread patterns
    • Four wheel rotation diagram
    • Spare wheel rotation
    • Six wheel rotation diagram
    • Studded or winter wheel rotation
  • Video Tutorial: The Complete Wheel Rotation Guide
  • A final note on tire rotation. ..

Wheel rotation is like a physical exercise. Everyone knows to do it, but getting yourself to actually do it can be a challenge. While we can't really help you with fitness motivation, we have plenty of good reasons why you should swap tires every 5,000-13,000 miles.

Why should I change the wheels on my car?

Tire wear is inevitable when using a car. The location and extent of wear on a tire's contact patch depends on many factors, including the position of the tire on the vehicle. Keep in mind that each axle of a vehicle faces a different external force. For example, the front tires on a front wheel drive vehicle are regularly subjected to more intense stress than the rear tires. Thus, front tires on a front wheel drive vehicle typically experience accelerated wear compared to front tires on a rear or all wheel drive vehicle. Changing the wheels helps even out the wear on all four tires. If you leave the front tires uninterleaved on a front wheel drive car, they will wear out faster than the rears. Without a proper check, you will end up with two front tires almost or completely at their maximum tread wear, and two rear tires with life remaining.

Tire rotation helps to avoid uneven wear

As a result, you will have to replace some tires prematurely. In some cases, while some of your tires may technically retain their remaining life, it will no longer make sense to pair them with any new tires with unworn tread. So you have to throw away not only worn tires, but also tires with remaining service life!

See also: Tire grip coefficient and factors affecting it

Summarizing all of the above, we can list the main reasons for rearranging tires in places:

Wheel rotation helps maintain and improve the handling and safety of your vehicle

Tires are absolutely essential to the efficiency and safety of a vehicle. Keeping your tires in good condition with rotation and other simple maintenance will help keep them wearing evenly which directly affects your vehicle's stability, driving predictability and makes it easier to maneuver safely throughout the life of your tires. Tires in poor condition can cause the vehicle to vibrate.

Remember: uneven tire wear can also affect the stability and handling of your vehicle. Swapping wheels is not only financially sensible, but it also helps to ensure the safety of your driving.

Swapping tires will wear them evenly so they last longer

If tires are not rotated and maintained properly, you will likely lose not just a few hundred miles of their life, but thousands. The life of a tire can literally be cut off in the middle if you do not follow the rules for their alternation and do not take other necessary measures for their maintenance.

Tire manufacturers require tire rotation as a condition of warranty coverage

Tire manufacturers know that rotation is essential to realizing their full tire life. Tire mileage guarantees are most often set by tire manufacturers based on tire rotation. So if you never rotate tires and experience premature tire wear as a result, the manufacturer is unlikely to honor your warranty. In other words, you'll be left on your own with a prematurely worn set of tires and a much more expensive replacement bill.

See also: Inflating tires with nitrogen - the pros and cons. What does filling tires with nitrogen give?

How much does it cost to change the wheels?

The good news is it's inexpensive. That small investment comes back to you in the form of long tire life and sustained vehicle safety and performance. In the long run, the cost of periodic tire rotation will be only a fraction of the amount you have to spend on buying new tires due to premature tire wear. It is also not uncommon for tire shops to offer discounted tire rotation services for regular customers, or from time to time offer to do it for free. So contact the tire shop that installed your tires first - in some cases, your tire rotation costs may be zero.

Helpful Hint: don't forget to label the wheels with the numbers and keep the tire rotation data and receipts. If you ever need to change tires under warranty, having these records will increase your chances of success.

Wheel rotation charts for different drives and tread patterns

Are you used to doing everything yourself? Then you can rearrange the tires. If you can safely lift the car and remove the wheels, you can change the tires in your garage or on your driveway. In addition to the rearrangement pattern, you need to consider whether your tires are directional or non-directional, symmetrical or asymmetrical, and whether the tire pattern is staggered or square. If you are not sure about at least one of these points, it is better to entrust the work to a professional. Also consider that it is a smart move to put your tires in the hands of a competent professional from time to time. Tire specialists monitor their potential problems, identify misalignment and other issues that can affect tire condition/wear and vehicle performance.

Four wheel alignment diagram

For non-directional tires of the same size, you can use the diagonal swap pattern or move the front tires to the rear diagonal corner and the rear tires forward on the same side.

  • "Rewards Cross" (scheme A) the scheme is used for rear and four-wheel drive vehicles, the front wheels are placed diagonally back, and the rear wheels are forward as they are;
  • "X-Pattern" (pattern B) is a universal pattern and can be applied to almost all cars, all wheels are reversed diagonally;
  • "Forward Cross" (chart C) pattern applies to front and all-wheel drive vehicles, mirror image of pattern A.
Various tire rotation schemes for rear and four-wheel drive vehicles

Also, due to the availability of modern tires, there is a need for 2 more rotation schemes:

  • "Front-to-Rear" (diagram D) this scheme can be used for cars with directional tires of the same size;
  • "Side-to-Side" (Diagram E) this scheme can be used for cars with non-directional tires whose size is different on the front and rear axles.
Scheme of wheel shifting for cars with directional and non-directional tires

Shifting taking into account the spare tire

Most modern cars are equipped with "stowaways" - this is not a full-size spare wheel, designed to temporarily replace a full-fledged wheel in order to somehow get to the nearest tire service. If you have a full-size spare tire, it should also be included in the swap plan.

  • "Forward Cross" (Pattern F) this scheme can be used for front wheel drive vehicles with a full size spare wheel;
  • "Rearward Cross" (diagram G) scheme for rear and all-wheel drive vehicles.

tire shifting diagram for 4WD and 4WD vehicles Vehicles with dual rear wheels and non-directional tires may use one of the following rotation patterns:

  • "Six Tire Rotation" (diagram H) diagram can be used for cars with non-directional tires of the same type and size;
  • "Six Tire Rotation" (Scheme I) If the vehicle has tires of a different type and/or size on the front and rear axles, they must use this scheme only.
Rotation of six wheels with non-directional tires

Rotation of studded or winter wheels

Winter and studded tires also need to be rearranged so that they serve for a long time and behave adequately on the road.


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