How to Do a Tire Rotation

One of the most important things to ensure good maintenance for your new vehicle is proper tire care. Rotating your tires regularly can provide you with better traction and extend the life of your tires. That way, you can drive with confidence no matter where you go in Carlsbad and Oceanside. Follow our guide on how to do a tire rotation, as well as tire rotation maintenance, so you know how to best care for your vehicle in Escondido.

Why is Tire Rotation Important for Your Vehicle?

Believe it or not, not all tires wear evenly due to driving habits and road conditions. So this means if you leave your tires in place, they will wear down at different rates, and you will have to replace them sooner. By rotating them, you’re prolonging the tire usage, saving money, and keeping yourself and your passengers safe in the long run.

How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Front and rear-wheel drive vehicles generally need their tires rotated every 5,000-7,500 miles. All-wheel drive vehicles require more frequent changes at every 3,000-5,000 miles since all tires are actively engaged and that results in faster wear, so keep that in mind if you own or are looking into an all-wheel drive vehicle. Per usual, we always recommend checking your owner’s manual for more specific recommendations. 

Learn More About the Importance of Tire Position

• FWD Tires: You can move the front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right positions. When it’s time to move the rear tires to the front, you must switch the right and left tire.
• RWD Tires: The opposite is true with RWD vehicles. The rear tires can be moved to the front of the car in the same left/right positions, but when you move the front tires to the rear, you need to switch the left and right tire.

How to Do A Tire Rotation at Home

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, and you want to rotate your tires, then you will need a few tools, like a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jacks. After you’ve gathered all the necessary tools, you’re ready to start your tire rotation process. To do so, follow these six easy steps:

1. Engage your parking brake as a safety precaution.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but don’t take them all the way off. This step makes unscrewing them when the tire is elevated much easier.
3. Lift one wheel with a car jack and place the jack stand underneath it.
4. Remove the tires one by one.
5. Take this time to make sure your tires are filled to the optimal tire pressure. Once filled, you can rotate them according to the appropriate pattern for your type of tires. Place the tire back onto the wheel mount and screw the lug nuts on by hand as far as you can.
6. Lower the car from the jack stands and use the lug wrench to finish tightening the nuts. It’s best to work the lug nuts diagonally from one to another in a star pattern to ensure even tightening. If the lug nuts aren’t tightened evenly, it can cause the brake rotor to warp.

Get Your Tires Rotated at Quality Chevrolet 

If you don’t have the tools or the time, that’s okay too! Our team of trained technicians at Quality Chevrolet know how to do a tire rotation for you so you can get back to doing what you do best in Poway. We offer a variety of service specialsat our Escondido service center for you to take advantage of, so be sure to browse our specials for savings on your next visit. Schedule your service or contact us today to get started!