5 Tire Rotation Anyone?

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:45 pm

If you do a 5 tire rotation,what's your style?
I discussed this with Shaggyislandboy and we agreed that a clockwise rotation
in a star pattern would work best.Spare being top of star.

Passenger front to Spare
Spare to Driver front
Driver front to Passenger rear
Passenger rear to Driver rear
Driver rear to Passenger front

How do you guys do your 5 tire rotation,and does anyone else use the star method?

oddball · **Posted:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:48 pm

After 35 years of driving and owning automobiles, I've never done a 5 tire rotation.

DryBones · **Posted:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:17 pm

yellocoyote wrote:

I use diagram 'G' when I do mine... or when I have someone else like Discount Tire do mine.

x2, might as well do it like everybody else, shops included.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:31 pm

never done it with 5 tires

Dave08 · **Joined:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:17 pm **Posts:** 250

I do it with spare to FR, continue from there

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:03 pm

I do "G" also. With my soft tires I rotate with every oil change.

Terry

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:33 am

The dealership here uses "G". I have always five-tire rotated every two oil changes (6000 mi.).

67Customs · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:53 am

I use the same "G" rotation as posted above.

Seems to be working great so far. I have about 15k on my current set of tires and have been doing that rotation every 5 k since they were new (two times really.lol).

Boiler · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:05 pm

I use G.

I never understood NOT doing a 5 tire rotation. Unless you're one of these guys that gets new tires every 3 months and doesn't bother with spares...

You spend more on a set of 5, but if you rotate them often they'll last you that much longer. The benefit is that if you completely destroy one tire, you still have a matched set of four. If you have 1/2 of the tread left and destroy one when only rotating 4, now you're adding a new tire to your mix. I don't think this is ideal for 4x4 systems personally.

Also, it makes it super easy to do rotations. I do my own when I change my oil every 3k. This way I know my lugnuts are not overtorqued and I can rotate the crap out of them and keep them nice and even.

Don't tell anyone....but I also use extreme shine gel on the tire going onto the spare holder when it first goes on....the entire tire. It protects and keeps it from drying out & cracking. I figure it wears off enough in 3000 miles that it isn't too slippery on the road. Hopefully it doesn't soften the tread and cause more wear...I can't imagine it does. I just put my first "gelled" spare back into rotation yesterday, so we'll see. I only do it when I first put it on though.

Heck, I think I might start rotating 6!

kingjeep · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:46 pm

i just got new tires and did not do the 5 tire rotation but will do G

oddball · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:58 pm

Boiler wrote:

I never understood NOT doing a 5 tire rotation. Unless you're one of these guys that gets new tires every 3 months and doesn't bother with spares...

You spend more on a set of 5, but if you rotate them often they'll last you that much longer. The benefit is that if you completely destroy one tire, you still have a matched set of four. If you have 1/2 of the tread left and destroy one when only rotating 4, now you're adding a new tire to your mix. I don't think this is ideal for 4x4 systems personally.

Also, it makes it super easy to do rotations.

Let's be clear here - Your preference is a opinion and not factual because there can be different scenarios regarding the wear and or rotation schedule of ones tires. But basically, if one has a flat, the spare can be used until the flat is fixed. If one destroys the tire (as you suggested), you'll need a new tire. Let's say the RF was destroyed, your new tire and unused spare will then be a matched set on the front. So to be clear, the argument goes both ways. Don't forget, the auto industry for years only supplied "donuts" for spares because there is no factual benefits to a 5 tire rotation.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:33 am

Boiler wrote:

It protects and keeps it from drying out & cracking.

Actually, 99% of tire shines do the exact opposite. They promote dry rot and cracking.

Just sayin';)

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:51 am

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Boiler wrote:

It protects and keeps it from drying out & cracking.

Actually, 99% of tire shines do the exact opposite. They promote dry rot and cracking.

Just sayin';)

but they look so good for a day or two after applying.

Boiler · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:55 am

oddball wrote:

Boiler wrote:

I never understood NOT doing a 5 tire rotation. Unless you're one of these guys that gets new tires every 3 months and doesn't bother with spares...

You spend more on a set of 5, but if you rotate them often they'll last you that much longer. The benefit is that if you completely destroy one tire, you still have a matched set of four. If you have 1/2 of the tread left and destroy one when only rotating 4, now you're adding a new tire to your mix. I don't think this is ideal for 4x4 systems personally.

Also, it makes it super easy to do rotations.

Let's be clear here - Your preference is a opinion and not factual because there can be different scenarios regarding the wear and or rotation schedule of ones tires. But basically, if one has a flat, the spare can be used until the flat is fixed. If one destroys the tire (as you suggested), you'll need a new tire. Let's say the RF was destroyed, your new tire and unused spare will then be a matched set on the front. So to be clear, the argument goes both ways. Don't forget, the auto industry for years only supplied "donuts" for spares because there is no factual benefits to a 5 tire rotation.

I can see how in some cases it would be nice to have the spare match a new tire (assuming it actually matched. Years down the road that could be tricky, consider NASCAR crews trying to get consecutive serial numbers when they pick their tires).

5 tires rotated every 3-5k should last 5/4 as long as 4 tires rotated every 3-5k. Seems pretty straightforward to me. The cost would be a wash with buying 4 tires every time and leaving the original spare on there forever. There is some small benefit from having a matching spare though, in case of destruction. I think there is also some benefit in having 4 matching pairs in 4X4.

The biggest benefit: not selling one brand new tire down the road for little to no $. You see that happen alot.

As for the auto industry thinking donut's are better....they are CHEAPER. I'm not suggesting people throw their donuts away and go buy a 5th full size tire. All I'm saying is that if you already have one it makes sense to get your use out of it and extend the life of the other 4 by 20%.

Lastly: using 5 makes rotating them at home much easier and therefore more likely to be done often (and free). I'll take the $10 every 3 months, my carefully handled lugnuts and studs, & consistant rotation pattern. Over 4-5 years of owning the tires I'll have at least $150 in savings over going to a shop.

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:04 pm

I've got a couple brand new spares in the garage that came on past vehicles that now have no use since I upgraded to different brands and got all 5. I can't seem to give them away. A 5 tire rotation by the past owners wouldn't have given me this grief! :lol:

67Customs · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:32 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Boiler wrote:

It protects and keeps it from drying out & cracking.

Actually, 99% of tire shines do the exact opposite. They promote dry rot and cracking.

Just sayin';)

That is only true about the older silicone based dressings.

The majority of the tire shines on the market today do not promote dry rot and cracking. I would love to see the tests done to prove this. I haven't seen one yet. The only "proof" that anyone has offered me is their first hand or rumored story that Armor All cracked their or their dad's dash back in the 70's.

I have been using tire shines on my vehicles once a week or so since I have owned cars. Never once have they dried out nor cracked. Now, my father has had two sets of tires dry out and crack and not one of them were ever dressed. So, I just can't understand where people come up with the "fact" that tire dressing dries out or cracks tires.

Tire shines do attract dust and can brown the tire if only shine is used. However, if the tires are cleaned regularly before the shine is added, they will look brand new until the day they run out of tread in my experiences.

I also dress my spare tire since I do not use a tire cover. Tread and all each time I wash. I do not dress the back of the tire as it attracts dust and is harder to clean. However, that doesn't see direct sunlight anyway.

oddball · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:34 pm

Boiler wrote:

oddball wrote:

Boiler wrote:

I never understood NOT doing a 5 tire rotation. Unless you're one of these guys that gets new tires every 3 months and doesn't bother with spares...

You spend more on a set of 5, but if you rotate them often they'll last you that much longer. The benefit is that if you completely destroy one tire, you still have a matched set of four. If you have 1/2 of the tread left and destroy one when only rotating 4, now you're adding a new tire to your mix. I don't think this is ideal for 4x4 systems personally.

Also, it makes it super easy to do rotations.

Let's be clear here - Your preference is a opinion and not factual because there can be different scenarios regarding the wear and or rotation schedule of ones tires. But basically, if one has a flat, the spare can be used until the flat is fixed. If one destroys the tire (as you suggested), you'll need a new tire. Let's say the RF was destroyed, your new tire and unused spare will then be a matched set on the front. So to be clear, the argument goes both ways. Don't forget, the auto industry for years only supplied "donuts" for spares because there is no factual benefits to a 5 tire rotation.

I can see how in some cases it would be nice to have the spare match a new tire (assuming it actually matched. Years down the road that could be tricky, consider NASCAR crews trying to get consecutive serial numbers when they pick their tires).

5 tires rotated every 3-5k should last 5/4 as long as 4 tires rotated every 3-5k. Seems pretty straightforward to me. The cost would be a wash with buying 4 tires every time and leaving the original spare on there forever. There is some small benefit from having a matching spare though, in case of destruction. I think there is also some benefit in having 4 matching pairs in 4X4.

The biggest benefit: not selling one brand new tire down the road for little to no $. You see that happen alot.

As for the auto industry thinking donut's are better....they are CHEAPER. I'm not suggesting people throw their donuts away and go buy a 5th full size tire. All I'm saying is that if you already have one it makes sense to get your use out of it and extend the life of the other 4 by 20%.

Lastly: using 5 makes rotating them at home much easier and therefore more likely to be done often (and free). I'll take the $10 every 3 months, my carefully handled lugnuts and studs, & consistant rotation pattern. Over 4-5 years of owning the tires I'll have at least $150 in savings over going to a shop.

My point regarding donuts used by the auto industry was not that they thought doing this was better, it was intended to prove there is no factual evidence a 5 tire rotation is the best method.

Like I mentioned before, after 35+ years of doing my own 4 tire (front to rear) rotations, the only problem I ever had with tire life, was thinking I'd save money using cheaper tires. I learned quickly that is not always the case.

Boiler · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:44 pm

I'm not suggesting you'll get more miles from a tire by rotating it this way or that...I'm suggesting you'll get more miles from the SET by giving each one of them a break 1/5 of the time.

danoid · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:51 am

I take the spare, put it on the passenger front, then just move clockwise around the vehicle with the driver front going on the tailgate. It's not one of the 'recommended' procedures, but it's easy to remember.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:44 am

The donut tire was used to cut weight and space from what I remember. But then my memory just ain't what it used to be! :lol:

Terry

5 Tire Rotation Anyone?

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