How to Perform Tire Rotation?
2 Answers
Wheel rotation mainly involves two methods: rotation for non-directional bias-ply tires and rotation for radial tires: 1. Rotation for non-directional bias-ply tires: Since front tires wear more heavily than rear tires during use, swapping tires on the same axle can ensure even wear on both sides. After a period of use, the tires removed from the front axle can be discarded, retreaded, or used as spare tires, while new tires should be installed on the front wheels. 2. Rotation for radial tires: Radial tires should remain on the same side of the vehicle, maintaining the same rotation direction. The rotation direction of radial tires is fixed; reversing it can compromise vehicle handling stability, leading to rough driving and vibrations.
As someone who frequently maintains my vehicle, I'm accustomed to rotating the tires every 10,000 kilometers or so. Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and use wheel chocks to secure the rear wheels. First, use a wrench to loosen the lug nuts counterclockwise but don't remove them completely. Position the jack at the designated chassis lift point and slowly raise the vehicle until the tire is off the ground. Remove the lug nuts and take off the tire. For front-wheel-drive vehicles, move the front tires straight to the rear positions, while the rear tires should be swapped diagonally to the front. For rear-wheel-drive vehicles, reverse this procedure. When installing the tires in their new positions, align them with the lug holes and tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern. Finally, adjust the tire pressure to the recommended levels—typically, front tires should be about 5 psi lower than the rear for better fuel efficiency. Always wear gloves and safety goggles during the process, as safety comes first.
