Tire rotation is an important auto maintenance service that ensures even tire wear, helps your tires to retain traction, and extends tire life. If you’re ready to tackle some DIY car care, learning how to rotate tires yourself can save you time and money on routine maintenance! In the guide below from the Don Ringler Toyota service center, we break down the tire rotation process to help you get started.

How Often Do You Need a Tire Rotation?

Whether you schedule professional service or rotate tires yourself, auto experts recommend a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles for FWD and RWD vehicles, and every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for AWD vehicles. Your owner’s manual should provide an interval more specific to your make and model.

However, it’s important to periodically check the tread depth and wear patterns on your tires. Factors like Belton road conditions and your driving habits can cause tires to wear out more quickly, and you don’t want to risk driving on tires that aren’t making proper contact with the road.

FWD vs. RWD Tire Rotation Pattern

Depending on your vehicle’s drivetrain, you’ll need to learn how to rotate tires in one of several ways. That’s because FWD drivetrains send power to the front axle, and RWD drivetrains send power to the rear axle. The tires that receive power experience more torque and friction, which causes their treads to wear down more quickly. Here’s how to rotate tires in a FWD vs. RWD rotation pattern:

• FWD Tires – Right front right rear; left front to left rear; right rear to left front; left rear to right front.
• RWD Tires – Right rear to right front; left rear to left front; right front to left rear; left front to right rear.

How to Rotate Tires: Step-by-Step

Before rotating tires at home in Killeen, make sure you have a car jack, four car jack stands, and a lug nut wrench. Then follow these steps:

1. Engage the parking brake and park your car on a level surface.
2. Use the lug nut wrench to loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but don’t remove them all the way yet. This makes it easier to unscrew them later, with the tire elevated.
3. Lift one wheel off the ground with the car jack, and put the jack stand in place underneath.
4. Lift the other three wheels off the ground using the jack, and place the jack stands under each.
5. Loosen the lug nuts of one tire and remove it from the vehicle.
6. Take this opportunity to check the tire pressure and refill to the optimal level if necessary.
7. Remove the next tire, and roll the first tire to its new position. Screw the lug nuts on by hand as far as you’re able, but don’t re-tighten the lug nuts yet.
8. Move tires to their new positions one at a time.
9. Lower the car and remove the jack stands.
10. Finish tightening the lug nuts with the lug wrench. To ensure even tightening, tighten the nuts on each wheel a little at a time, moving diagonally or in a star pattern. Unevenly tightened lug nuts could warp the brake rotor!

Schedule Toyota Tire Rotation Service in Temple

While some drivers enjoy performing their own auto maintenance, others choose to schedule professional service in the Waco area. Whatever your preference, the experienced technicians at Don Ringler Toyota are here to help! Contact us for expert advice on checking transmission fluid, making a winter emergency car kit, and more.