Tire Rotation

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:00 pm

I have always rotated my tires on every car every 5000 miles. I have always chosen to only rotate 4 tires rather than including the spare in the rotation mix. So, sticking to the 4 tire rotation plan, here is my question to all of you: Is there any scientific/mechanical reason to use one rotation pattern versus another? I have always moved the fronts to the rear on the same side and then moved the rears to the front on the opposite side of the car. I always do my rotations myself, so I know it is done the same pattern every time. As long as you do it the same way each time, it really shouldn't matter what pattern you follow. They will all move to all four wheels eventually and then start over. Right? Any comments?

My Pattern:

HoppedUpOnGoofballs · **Joined:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:36 pm **Posts:** 203

As long as one end switches sides when rotating, and the other stays on the same side, then you will be fine. (If that made sense)

With a full-size spare, however, a 5 tire rotation is better because it keeps the tires closer to the same diameter.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:18 pm

on a typical RWD vehicle, the right rear tire will wear faster than the left rear. That's why it's good to cross-rotate.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:48 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

on a typical RWD vehicle, the right rear tire will wear faster than the left rear. That's why it's good to cross-rotate.

I don't understand why?

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:49 pm

Which one of these is best?

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:22 pm

I think I recall seeing a tire rotation diagram in the owners manual.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:34 pm

I've always did the straight F to R swap(tires stay on the same side),then the next rotation I'll cross swap them,then back to the F to R swap.

Though I run pretty aggresive tires and rotate them every 3000 miles,and I'm very hard on my tires.Though right now I can't really rotate my tires,basically the 2 tires that will balance are up front and the rear 2(with broken belts) are in the rear with no wheel weights and no vibs at all but I rarely get about 60mph anymore.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:42 am

Maximum Carnage wrote:

Which one of these is best?

I would say that for a 4 tire rotation, Row 2 , B&C are virtually identical. As long as you do the same rotation pattern (B or C) every time.

TJKJ, that is an interesting way to rotate. But effectively you are doing exactly the same as Row 2 , B&C.

So my conclusion is as long as your rotation pattern moves each tire to all 4 corners over the span of 4 rotations, it should be all be the same.

Jakemd98 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:03 am

With an aggressive tire you should rotate every 3k or so, it will keep them from feathering and maintain your ride quality (mud tire and ride quality... oxymoron). Now i have heard that in some cases (passenger tires, high performance tires) if you cross rotate the tires you may cause the belts to separate. They used to cross rotate tires all the time, but these new radials that are on the street today don't seem to react too well to it.

NOW, as what was posted above the right rear tire will wear slightly quicker, that is unless you have an extremely aggressive locker. This is because of how the open differential works. IN the case that you are seeing that tire wear quicker then i would say do a few front to back rotations and then on the 4th rotation or so do an x rotation pattern. this is what i do, and i have had no issues with my tires.

Tire Rotation

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