How To Rotate Tires
After you’ve explored our selection of high-quality pre-owned vehicles, be sure to explore our guide to some vehicle maintenance tips to keep your ride running smoothly on the Mesa roads. One important maintenance item you should be aware of is tire rotations.
As you drive around Surprise, each tire will experience different degrees of wear and tear. By rotating your tires, you’re ensuring that each tire can wear more evenly to maximize traction and lifespan. Luckily, tire rotations are simple to do and can often be done in your own garage. Learn how to do a tire rotation today with Cactus Jack's Auto!
When Do You Need To Do a Tire Rotation?
The recommended tire rotation interval can vary depending on your specific vehicle and driving habits. However, the general rule of thumb is that your tires should be rotated around every 5,000 to 7,500 miles if you’ve got a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicle. All-wheel drive vehicles will need their tires rotated more frequently, typically around every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. We suggest referencing your owner’s manual if you’re looking for the exact tire rotation interval for your vehicle.
FWD & RWD Tire Rotation Patterns
AWD vehicles will typically have a more complicated tire rotation pattern that can vary so you’ll want to check your owner’s manual for details. However, FWD and RWD vehicles typically follow a similar tire rotation pattern, just reversed. Let’s take a look at one of the most common ways to rotate FWD and RWD vehicles:
- FWD: Move the rear tires to the front and switch their sides. For example, the rear left tire will go to the front right position and vice versa. As you move the front tires to the rear, keep them on the same sides.
- RWD: Move the front tires to the rear but switch their sides, similar to the FWD tire rotation pattern. As the rear tires move to the front, keep them on the same sides.
How To Do a Tire Rotation
Once you’ve determined if you’ve got an FWD, RWD, or AWD vehicle, you’re ready to attempt a tire rotation in your own Glendale garage. Here’s how to do a tire rotation:
- Turn on your parking brake.
- Without fully taking them off, start loosening the lug nuts on your wheels.
- Lift up your vehicle with the proper safety equipment. Be sure the vehicle is properly secured.
- Completely remove all the wheels on your vehicle.
- Ensure each tire has the proper air pressure and follow the appropriate tire rotation pattern for your vehicle.
- Mount each wheel back onto the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts as much as you can.
- Lower the vehicle and fully torque the lug nuts to the recommended torque specifications. You’ll want to follow a star pattern when tightening the lug nuts to ensure each lug nut is properly tightened.
Learn More Service Advice With Cactus Jack's Auto
We’re happy to help you find your dream vehicle and maintain it for optimal performance as you take on your Phoenix adventures. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our experts for further assistance!