Rotate Tires

[echarleswhyte]

manual states to rotate tires from rear to front on same side. my question is can I rotate from side to side? my last ride the manual indicated to rotate the rear left to front right, front right to rear right etc. I don't think it will do anything bad but should I just follow the manual or can I switch sides?

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

There are several tire rotation patterns available. As long as the tires are not directional tires, (look on the sidewall of the tire to find out if they are or not), yes you can rotate the tires from side to side and this will help to even out tire wear patterns, extending tire life. :thumbsup: Below is an article about this -

Tire Tech Information/General Tire Information

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=43


-- B.F. Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist

 

[echarleswhyte]

yes, that is how I understand it as well. just wanted to make sure, rather be safe than sorry lol. I'm still far from a rotation but will check tires to be sure, thanx

 

[2ME-Ray]

I have found if I rotate tyres on my 2011 hatchback diagonally, because of the wear patterns on them when their rotational directions change, the "high" leading edge of the wear patterns contacting the road first makes considerably more road noise. So, I only change them front to back.
It could be the hatchbacks are more prone to road noise than a sedan, because there is no extra sound barrier between the rear wheel inner arch and rear axle/ suspension connection points, and the car interior. However, I'm sure you would notice the increased road noise, even with a sedan.
I never include the spare in the rotations. My car is still on its first set of tyres, so currently the spare is new. But in coming years, it may age too much to be safe. When I feel it is appropriate (maybe about 6- 8 years on) I will select the best of a tyre set coming off the car, and use it as the spare.
Tyres do deteriorate with age, you should always check the manufacture date when buying new tyres, to ensure you are not being sold old stock.:thumbsup:

 

[Ted]

When I bought my Corolla I got free service for 25,000 miles. I never felt that rotating tires front to back was a good idea so when Toyota rotated my tires during the free service (which they did front to back) I would go home, jack up the front of the car and swap the front tires side to side.

 

[echarleswhyte]

Not sure if they will get rotated, still have to read up on what will be done but will be getting my complementary service soon and will likely end up rotating my own tires

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Front wheel drive vehicles have the front tires doing most of the work; the accelerating, have the weight of the engine and transmission on them, the steering and also when the brakes are applied this puts even more load on the front tires. The rear tires basically trail along and hold up the weight of the gas tank. For this reason, with front wheel drive vehicles the front tires wear about three times as fast as the rear tires and although the rear tires wont wear very much, without rotating them they will get a cupping wear pattern on them that will make them very noisy and also tend to vibrate. Not good of course. To extend tire life and save money, always rotate and re-balance tires every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.

-- B.F.Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist