How to Rotate Tires Yourself

Why Is Tire Rotation Necessary?

The fact is that tires don’t wear evenly, even on the same vehicle. Impact while turning means the front tires’ outside edges show greater wear, and rear wheels break down more evenly. As a result, if you leave your tires in the same place they will wear at different rates and some of them will have to be replaced sooner. 

How Often to Rotate Your Tires 

Front and rear-wheel drive vehicles should go in for a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. All-wheel drive vehicles engage all tires actively, on the other hand, and need changes more often at every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. We always recommend checking your owner’s manual when you need more specific recommendations. 

How to Rotate Tires at Home

Rotating your own tires requires a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jack stands. Once you’re settled with the necessary tools, follow these steps:

1. Engage parking brake for an extra measure of safety.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but don’t take them all the way off. This step makes unscrewing them when the tire is elevated much easier.
3. Lift up one wheel with a car jack and place the jack stand underneath it.
4. Remove the tires one by one.
5. Take this time to make sure your tires are filled to the optimal tire pressure. Once filled, you can 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 far as you can.
6. Lower the car from the jack stands and use the lug wrench to finish tightening the nuts. It’s best to work the lug nuts diagonally from one to another in a star pattern to ensure even tightening. If the lug nuts aren’t tightened evenly it can cause the brake rotor to warp.

Tire Position

• FWD Tires: Move front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right positions, and switch the right and left tire when you move the rear tires to the front.

• RWD Tires: Perform this the opposite way with RWD vehicles, i.e. rear tires should be moved to the front of the car in the same left/right positions, but switch the left and right tire when you move the front tires to the rear.

Get Assistance With Tire Rotation at Fernelius Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Not enough time to rotate your tires yourself? Feeling a little overwhelmed by how to do a tire rotation? Experienced technicians at Fernelius Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can do it for you! We even offer a variety of parts and service specials for drivers from Indian River to Onaway and beyond to help keep costs down. Contact us, and schedule your service today!