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Author Topic: How do you rotate your tires? Post a Reply Back to Topics
Titanic1985

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South Carolina

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2012 12:39:30 PM

I've seen other Topics regarding whether you rotate your tires and how often, but I've not seen how you rotate your tires. According to the Owner's Manual and most tire garages, front wheel drive vehicles mandate moving the rear tires to the opposite side in the front of the vehicle and moving the front tires to the rear on the same side. Research of this has shown that changing the tire to the opposite side insures longer tire life since the tire is rotating in the opposite direction. There are exceptions such as the Chevrolet's Corvette V-tread tires must remain on the same side (they are uni-directional). Placing this type of tire on the opposite side of the vehicle would cause excessive heat and wear and could result in a heat-related blowout. Rear drive vehicles usually require same side front to rear rotation. The question here is how do you rotate your tires (not if or how often)?
REPLIES (newest first)
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Big Dan
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 12:14:01 AM

Yes
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yodudebc
Champion Author Vancouver

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 7:55:37 PM

I let the dealer do it every oil change (8000km), Titanic. When Winter tires need to be put on or pulled off, I make sure their position is chalked onto the sidewall.
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Mr1lung
All-Star Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 1:57:05 PM

yes
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vando45
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 12:51:27 PM

Yes, and I'm due.
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contiki
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 12:10:02 PM

Yes at dealer...............
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Coco0828
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 11:49:53 AM

Front to back.
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contiki
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 8:26:21 AM

The X pattern on both vehicles..........
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hyeglenn
Champion Author Fresno

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 8:25:05 AM

Front to back!
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russells350
Champion Author Montreal

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 8:13:55 AM

very carefully!!
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DanFMA
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 5:59:39 AM

Front to back
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Jmac2008
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 2:21:53 AM

yes
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DoctorOH
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 1:21:30 AM

Not yet I only have 1975 miles on my tires
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Carusle
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 9:17:58 PM

Keep em on the same side front to back or.
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gas_phil
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 9:12:12 PM

The tires will rotate by themselves while on the move. Oops wrong answer. I'll drive it to Les Schwab and they'll balance/rotate it for free since it came from there. Front to back, same side only (unidirectional tires.)
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rick_evans
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 8:17:03 PM

Front to back, same side, as recommended in the manual.
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ricebike
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 7:59:19 PM

six months to once a year

yes, i use the "modified cross" pattern on my front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicles

i don't need/want directional tires
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pacecar68
Champion Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 7:59:10 PM

how ever the tire shop does it. the follow the "recommended" procedures.
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outlaw329
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 7:32:26 PM

Do it myself most of the time.
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FieroGT
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 6:26:30 AM

Take the car to Discount Tire. They rotate tires for free.
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wesleyy91
Rookie Author Manitoba

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 11:20:47 AM

Front to the back
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RacerGene
Champion Author Alabama

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 10:34:33 AM

yes
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russells350
Champion Author Montreal

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 8:23:20 AM

no
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EdPG
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 8:11:23 AM

Front to back
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bearone2
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 8:08:47 AM

front to back
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down2fumes
All-Star Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 8:05:01 AM

steel belts. front to back on the same side.
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Dennis783
Champion Author Des Moines

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 7:37:51 AM

whatever way the dealer mechanic recommends
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puddy
Champion Author Wisconsin

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 7:23:42 AM

yes
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contiki
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Feb 21, 2013 7:18:33 AM

The Honda dealer does the X pattern on both vehicles...........
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Bushmaster
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 11:32:21 AM

X pattern
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bluenvoy
Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 11:31:01 AM

Can't on my car. The rear tires are a different size then the front.
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Coco0828
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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 10:55:12 AM

yes
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Carusle
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 9:56:38 AM

Front to back both sides
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fkkf92
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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 9:52:55 AM

yes
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BT1288
Champion Author Lincoln

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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 8:54:18 AM

I don't rotate mine, since I have 245/45/17's on the front and 315/35/17's on the rear.
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russells350
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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 7:43:39 AM

very carefully!!
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RacerGene
Champion Author Alabama

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Message Posted: Feb 20, 2013 6:43:46 AM

yes
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probedude2
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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2013 1:03:49 AM

round and round, hopefully going clockwise
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Mr1lung
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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 2:26:38 PM

yes
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russells350
Champion Author Montreal

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 1:53:55 PM

very carefully!
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RacerGene
Champion Author Alabama

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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 11:49:15 AM

Depends on the tires
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traffic cop
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Dec 22, 2012 12:14:08 PM

OKAY! I'm a true believer now--front-to-back-to-front, same side only.

I'm just an old fogey, and was thinking of the day when we'd rotate to move every tire so it had a turn at the front-right.

Even if it was a five-wheel rotation with the spare. If we were doing that, then there would be a lively discussion about various rotation patterns. Can't do that with a doughnut!
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golfer7332
Sophomore Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Dec 22, 2012 12:04:22 PM

Front to back same side only regardless of what the manual or tire manufac says. I have one bad experience with using cross pattern and the car developed severe vibrations after rotation of tires. It turned out the steel belt shifted in one of the tires from rotating in reverse. Maybe tires are better made now but I wont gamble with that just to get some extra usage. Unless you're doing lots of one direction turns on daily drive, otherwise front to back is sufficient to even the wear for all tires.
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down2fumes
All-Star Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Dec 22, 2012 10:51:11 AM

Front to rear on the same side only
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Titanic1985
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Dec 22, 2012 10:28:45 AM

Hello traffic_cop. I agree with your statement. Your statement is more factual than mine when you said, "so many people just assume that a product will last and serve its purpose indefinitely without proper handling, maintenance, and application."

My statement was based on my own experiences as I am particular about maintaining my equipment. Using the small engine example, the manufacturer recommends replacement of the oil every 25 hours. I buy engine timers for all of my engines since only the lawn tractors have them. In the case of both engine failures I had, the manufacturer's repair facility declare warranty, but the "zone representative said it was dirt in the oil and no warranty". An engine usually doesn't fly apart (literally) due to dirty oil, which was not the case.

You sound like you were on my telephone call with tirerack.com as the man I spoke with said the biggest issue was that many people never rotate their tires and a question like yours was out of the ordinary. Take care :-). MGY
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traffic cop
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Dec 21, 2012 8:44:10 PM

Thanks, Titanic1985. The manual for my 09 Toyota AWD says same-side, back-to-front-to-back, so that's what I'll do--Even though my gut would like to see every tire take its turn on the right-front.

I'll respectfully disagree with your final sentiments in paragraph 4, below, that it is "sad" that we consumers "must be concerned with eery minute aspect of use..." What I regard as sad is that so many people just assume that a product will last and serve its purpose indefinitely without proper handling, maintenance, and application. That's what instructions are for! How many people find, say, their wax peeling because they didn't clean the surface properly or applied it outside the prescribed temperature range?

Thanks for your research and thoughts.
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Titanic1985
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Dec 21, 2012 5:22:18 PM

Hi traffic_cop. You asked me if the tire manufacturer had a different recommendation than that of the vehicle's manufacturer which do you follow? I really answered that on December 6th, based on available facts. A tire, unless specifically designed for a particular vehicle such as a Chevrolet Corvette, may be installed on any vehicle of any design. To properly answer your question, it would be necessary to know the reasons and/or the rationale of the tire manufacturer for mandating a particular tire rotation pattern. Another question is, does going against a vehicle's recommendation ensure liability (e.g. a total catastrophic tire failure) or lack of achieving the tire's predicted mileage?

I relate your question to a small gasoline engine. Unless its design is specifically for a particular application, the manufacturer doesn't know what its use will be (e.g. a push lawn mower, a pressure washer, a generator, etc.). I've had issues over the years with chipper / shredders which are considered severe use. The big box home retail stores sell them cheaply and often they fail before the warranty period. I've had two engine failures and was refused warranty. I now have a 4" chipper / shredder specifically engineered with a commercial grade Honda engine designed for this severe service. Yes it costs a great deal more money, but it has been trouble-free.

I called tirerack.com with your question and their answer was to go with the recommendation of the vehicle. They answered that a tire manufacturer does not know the type of vehicle their product will be install on, except those specialty tires like the Corvette's. They also could not explain why a tire manufacturer would recommend a particular rotation pattern, especially considering they are not designated to a particular side of the vehicle when purchased.

I hope that answers your question :-). If I might add, it is sad in today's marketing world where you pay the going price for an item and must be concerned with every minute aspect of its use for fear it will break and/or not be covered under a warranty. Best Wishes - MGY
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gator2002
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Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:59:56 PM

Front to rear, rear to front.
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traffic cop
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:59:51 PM

Then there is the matter of car owner's manual and tire manufactureror's recommendation. Which should prevail?

Titanic1985, your thoughts?
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cv
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 6:49:35 AM

I do my own and swap front to back.
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RacerGene
Champion Author Alabama

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Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 5:44:47 AM

Front to back
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