How to Rotate Car Tires?
2 Answers
Method for rotating car tires: Cross-swap front and rear tires. Under normal circumstances, tire rotation should be performed every 10,000 kilometers. Due to road design factors, tires may develop subtle uneven wear during regular use that is not easily noticeable to the naked eye. After rotation, slight pulling to one side during straight-line driving may occur, which is normal and will naturally disappear after some driving. If the pulling is severe, you can appropriately reduce the tire pressure on the opposite side to alleviate the pulling. For example, if the car pulls to the right, reduce the left tire pressure, and after driving for some time, reinflate the tires to normal pressure.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have gotten used to rotating my car tires myself—it saves money and gives me peace of mind. Find a flat spot to park, engage the handbrake for safety. Use a jack to slowly lift one wheel at a time, avoiding direct contact with the undercarriage to prevent slipping. The rotation method depends on the car type: for front-wheel-drive vehicles, a cross pattern is recommended—swap the front right tire to the rear left and the front left to the rear right. This diagonal method ensures even wear between front and rear tires, extending their lifespan by at least 20,000–30,000 kilometers. Doing this every 5,000 km or every six months is ideal. While rotating, check if the tire pressure is within the recommended range—too high or low affects safety and fuel efficiency. Also inspect tread depth; don’t wait until it’s completely worn, as bald tires can cause dangerous skidding in rain. Though DIY is a hassle, mastering it is practical and saves a lot on repair costs.
