How to Rotate Tires?
2 Answers
The correct method for tire rotation depends on the tread pattern. For asymmetric or unidirectional tread patterns, tires can only be rotated front-to-rear, not cross-rotated, as these patterns have a specific installation direction. Below are the detailed methods: For symmetric tread patterns, the rotation method is determined by the drivetrain: 1. Rear-wheel drive vehicles: Non-driven wheels should be rotated diagonally—left front to right rear, right front to left rear. Driven wheels should be rotated vertically—right rear to right front, left rear to left front. 2. Front-wheel drive vehicles: Non-driven wheels should be rotated diagonally—right rear to left front, left rear to right front. Driven wheels should be rotated vertically—right front to right rear, left front to left rear. 3. Four-wheel drive vehicles: Tires should be rotated vertically front-to-rear—left front to left rear, right front to right rear.
Tire rotation is quite important, and I generally recommend doing it every 10,000 kilometers. Front-wheel-drive vehicles require special attention because the front tires wear out faster. Simply swap the two front tires directly to the rear, and cross the rear tires to the front—the left rear tire goes to the right front, and the right rear tire goes to the left front. For rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles, it's simpler: just cross-rotate the front and rear tires. During rotation, check the tread depth and perform a wheel balance; otherwise, the car may vibrate at high speeds. Remember to check the tire pressure after rotation and maintain it at the standard value for a smoother and more fuel-efficient drive. Regular rotation ensures even wear across all four tires, allowing them to last an extra 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers without issues.
