How to Rotate Tires Yourself

Tire rotation is an important part of routine maintenance you don’t want to miss. Regular tire rotation provides better traction on Lumberton roads, and extends the life of your tires. Want to learn how to do it yourself, and skip the cost at your local service department? Follow this simple tire rotation guide to keep your vehicle rolling as long as it can.

Why is Tire Rotation Necessary?

Individual driving habits and environments result in uneven tire wear. For example, the outside edges on your front tires will likely wear faster while rear wheels wear more evenly, due to the impact front wheels experience while turning. As a result, your tires get used up at different rates, and you’ll have to replace them more often.

How Often to Rotate Your Tires 

Front and rear-wheel drive vehicles usually need a tire rotation every 5,000-7,500 miles. All-wheel drive vehicles require tire rotation every 3,000-5,000 miles since all tires are actively engaged, which results in faster wear. As with any vehicle service, we always recommend checking your owners manual for more specific recommendations. 

Tire Position

• FWD Tires: Move the front tires to the back of the car in their same left/right positions when you’re moving them on a FWD vehicle. When it comes time to move the rear tires to the front, switch sides as you move them, left to right.
• RWD Tires: The opposite holds true with RWD vehicles. In these cases, the rear tires should be moved to the front of the car in the same left/right positions. When the front wheels are moved to the rear, switch the left and right tire sides.

Rotating Your Tires

If you want to rotate your own tires, you will need a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jacks. Once you’re settled with these necessary tools, follow these five easy steps:

1. Engage the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but don’t remove them entirely. This step makes unscrewing them when the tire is elevated much easier
3. Lift one wheel with a car jack and place the jack stand underneath it.
4. Remove the tires one by one.
5. Fill your tires to their optimal tire pressures, and rotate them according to the appropriate pattern for your type of tires. Place the tire back onto the wheel mount and screw the lug nuts on by hand as tightly as you can.
6. Lower the car from the jack stands and use the lug wrench to finish tightening the nuts. Work the lug nuts diagonally from one to another in a star pattern to ensure even tightening, and prevent the brake rotor from warping.

Get Assistance With Tire Rotation at Moore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Not ready to rotate your tires yourself? The trained technicians at Moore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can perform the service for you. We offer a variety of service specials at our Silsbee service center for you to take advantage of. Schedule your service today!