Tire Rotation
How are tire rotation issues diagnosed?
If necessary, the technician will inspect the tires for wear. If the manufacturer specified interval has been missed, or differing wear is observed, a tire rotation will be recommended.
How is a tire rotation replaced?
To rotate the tires, the technician checks for directional or non-directional tires. Directional tires are made to rotate in one direction, so if they were taken to the other side of the vehicle, the tire would be facing backwards. For directional tires, the wheels are moved from the back to the front, and front to back. For all other tires, the tires are moved in a crossing pattern that moves the tires from spare tire position to front tire position, and back. One pattern is spare position, right-rear position, right-front position, left-rear position, left-front position, and repeat.
RepairPal Recommendations for tire rotation issues
Rotating tires is always recommended at the scheduled times If rotation is missed, it can be performed on the next scheduled maintenance visit.
What to look out for when dealing with tire rotation issues
Be sure to keep a record of tire rotations, and to have the tires inspected with every service visit. If a tire rotation is missed too many times, the tires can wear so much that they need to be replaced, even though most of the tread is intact. Many rear wheel drive cars will wear the inside of their rear tires more quickly than the front, wearing the inside smooth before the outside of the tread is even worn halfway. This will require a tire purchase that was preventable by rotating the rears to the front before the wear had become too extreme.
Can I replace the tire rotation myself?
Anyone can rotate tires. Using a jack, and jack-stands, the tires can be rotated easily as long as proper lifting and supporting techniques are used, and the wheel lug nuts are tightened to specification.
How is a tire rotation performed?
To rotate the tires, the technician checks for directional or non-directional tires. Directional tires are made to rotate in one direction, so if they were taken to the other side of the vehicle, the tire would be facing backwards. For directional tires, the wheels are moved from the back to the front, and front to back. For all other tires, the tires are moved in a crossing pattern that moves the tires from spare tire position to front tire position, and back. One pattern is spare position, right-rear position, right-front position, left-rear position, left-front position, and repeat.