How to Rotate Tires

Why Tire Rotation is Important

Because front and rear tires wear differently as your vehicle turns, all driving causes your tires to wear unevenly. As a result, your tires will wear more on their outer edges. Rotating your tires prevents your tire treads from wearing down too quickly on the outer edges, and also helps keep more of your tire’s surface area in contact with the road.

When is it Time to Rotate My Tires?

Maybe you know how to do a tire rotation, but you’re unsure how often to do so. Look out for the following sings to determine when you need to have your tires rotated or replaced:

• Uneven Wear –If you notice uneven tread depths or uneven wear patterns on your tires, it’s time to have them rotated or replaced. 
• Vehicle vibration — Uneven tire wear may cause your car to vibrate above speeds of about 45 mph. If you notice this, check your tires for uneven wear. Vehicle vibration can have other causes as well, so bring your car to a certified Toyota technician if you’re unsure.
• Pressure loss — Regularly check and record tire pressure. If one tire is deflating faster than the others, it may be under more pressure due to uneven wear. If you notice this sign, it’s best to call up your Killeen-area service center to learn more.

How to Rotate Tires at Home

If you have the necessary tools and experience, you can perform a tire rotation at home. Here’s what you’ll need and how to do it:

Tire Rotation Supplies

• Lug nut wrench
• Jack stands
• Hydraulic floor jack

Tire Rotation Patterns

• FWD Vehicles — Front tires move straight back, while rear tires move to the front and switch sides. Left front → left rear; Right front → right rear; Right rear → left front; Left rear → right front.
• RWD / AWD / 4WDVehicles — Rear tires move straight to the front, while front tires move to the back and switch sides. Left front → right rear; Right front → left rear; Right rear → right front; Left rear → left front.

How to Do a Tire Rotation

1. Park your car on a flat surface, engage the parking brake, and loosen the lug nuts for all 4 tires.
2. Place your car jack under a sturdy point of your car’s frame, near the tire you plan to rotate first.
3. Engage the jack, elevate the wheel, and place a jack stand under the wheel.
4. Remove the jack, then replace it to lift the tire that’s in the spot where you’ll move the other elevated tire.
5. Fully loosen the lug nuts and remove both tires.
6. Move the first tire to its new position, but don’t tighten the lug nuts all the way yet.
7. Check and adjust tire pressure.
8. Ellevate the tire you just rotated, and remove the jack stand.
9. Now use the jack to elevate where you’ll move the second tire.
10. Remove the third tire and replace with the second.
11. When all tires are rotated, remove the jack stands and lower your car completely to the ground.
12. Completely tighten all lug nuts.

Rely on Don Ringler Toyota for Expert DIY Tire Care Tips

Now that you know how to rotate tires at home in Waco, why not learn more about DIY car care? Contact our service center for more expert maintenance tips about oil changes, auto fluid replacement, and more.