What is the best method to rotate tyres.

Chippar · 12-04-2007, 08:37 AM

What is the best methd to rotate radial non-directional wheels & Tyres?

I was always told to rotate these directly from front to back on the same side. I have since been told that this method has been changed and the experts found that it is better to change them as follows;

Fronts go straight back on the same side and the rears go diagonally across to the opposite front corner. but still rotated at 10,000k's. This is for non-directional tryes only.

Which is the better or correct method?

bodes-sh · 12-04-2007, 08:53 AM

as far as i know there's not any "correct" method as such. In saying that usually it's straight from front to back, ie same side, or swap right rear, left front, etc...also depends if you also use the spare when rotating

Chippar · 12-04-2007, 09:07 AM

No, I didn't include the spare. As a matter of fact, I have never included the spare in my tyre rotations, not for any particular reason though, but I actually don't even give it a thought...Bad me.
But I do check the air pressure in the spare on a monthly basis when I check all the other tyre pressures though.

JC · 12-04-2007, 09:49 AM

Depends on if you have directional tyres or not. If they're not directional, you move the tyres diagonally across the car, so front left becomes right rear etc. If they are directional, then swap front to back on the same side. It's only worth including the spare in the rotation if you do it when all tyres are new.

AU dude · 12-04-2007, 10:02 AM

I was told by a TAFE teacher to only rotate tyres on the same side as after a while the tyres canvas gets bedded in for that direction and if swapped to the other side upsets its balance.

jcxr · 12-04-2007, 01:51 PM

As above. front to rear, dont change sides.

OzJavelin · 13-04-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU dude

I was told by a TAFE teacher to only rotate tyres on the same side as after a while the tyres canvas gets bedded in for that direction and if swapped to the other side upsets its balance.

Agreed (again). On the original Bridgestone B530s on my SV8 I was rotating tyres front-to-rear every 10,000km (every service). Tyres lasted 70,000km and were only changed 'cos it went out of lease and I wanted a new set pre-tax dollars. The next set I didn't rotate until about 25,000km and when I changed front-to-rear the handling went to crap; so back they went and I just left them to wear down. So obviously the rears wore down first and I've just changed them at 50,000km. Good, but not as good as 70,000km (and at $360 each that hurts). My advice is that it you are going to rotate don't swap sides (regardless if directional or not) and rotate early and often ..

**Mechan1k** · 12-04-2007, 01:51 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Have heard the same thing as well ... I have directional ... so I keep them on the same sides ... but the Territory I do the same as the ute ... front to back ... straight swap ... and they are not directional either.

Easier to do as well .... cos I am lazy.

Chippar · 12-04-2007, 04:22 PM

Thanks guys. It was my understanding as well, to swap the tyres front to rear on the same side and I was a bit sceptical when I was told to swap the rears diagonally to the front with the fronts coming straight back.

The trouble is that I don't get into a trye shop that often and things change in the meantime. I have only just clicked over 50,000k's in six years in my AUII and have only had to visit the tyre shop once for new tyres in that time.

I always rotate the tyres myself every 5,000k's, directly front to back, and get a wheel alignment from the suspension shop every 12months regardless of the mileage.

It's always good to pop into here to ask and get up to date advice. Thanks again.

T3man · 12-04-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippitydip

Thanks guys. It was my understanding as well, to swap the tyres front to rear on the same side and I was a bit sceptical when I was told to swap the rears diagonally to the front with the fronts coming straight back.

The trouble is that I don't get into a trye shop that often and things change in the meantime. I have only just clicked over 50,000k's in six years in my AUII and have only had to visit the tyre shop once for new tyres in that time.

I always rotate the tyres myself every 5,000k's, directly front to back, and get a wheel alignment from the suspension shop every 12months regardless of the mileage.

It's always good to pop into here to ask and get up to date advice. Thanks again.

I was wondering why anyone bothers swapping tyres anymore but now I see your problem. You aren't driving enough! LOL. I use about two sets a year, front and back generally wear out together so no need to rotate.

JC · 12-04-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

I was wondering why anyone bothers swapping tyres anymore but now I see your problem. You aren't driving enough! LOL. I use about two sets a year, front and back generally wear out together so no need to rotate.

But not everyone drives "spiritedly" enough to wear front and back at the same rate!

I still do diagonal rear to front, except for directional tyres which always just swap from the front to the back on the same side. If I find one tyre wearing on the inside or outside, I'll actually get them stripped and fitted to the rims on the other side to try and even out the wear.

smally289 · 13-04-2007, 12:18 AM

From the Tyre Technology course I did through Ford Training, swap the driven wheels straight to the other end and the non driven wheels diagonally. Directional tyres excluded obviously.

**Whoosha** · 13-04-2007, 09:19 AM

On a lighter note :Reverend: the official Cranny tyre tester says "rotate rears to bin and replace every 4 months"

_2:

:
Me personally only ever do front to rears same side directional or not ....

XR6TCraig · 13-04-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippitydip

Fronts go straight back on the same side and the rears go diagonally across to the opposite front corner.

Thats what it says in my BA owners manual!

2Lucid · 13-04-2007, 09:36 PM

ive been told that if u can rotate the tyres every 5,000kms to keep the wear even and front to back with directionals and and opposite corneres with non direcitonals.. or u could try going round n round like a merry go round

Chippar · 13-04-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Lucid

ive been told that if u can rotate the tyres every 5,000kms to keep the wear even and front to back with directionals and and opposite corneres with non direcitonals.. or u could try going round n round like a merry go round

LOL that's the way my head is spinning at the moment. Thanks again everyone for the replies and advice, I've taken it all on board. :sm_headba