How to Do a Tire Rotation

If you want to ensure that your vehicle is operating safely on the roads of Del Mar and beyond, it is important to keep up with routine vehicle maintenance like tire rotations. You may be wondering how to do a tire rotation at home. The steps for this essential service task vary slightly based on the drivetrain of your vehicle. Land Rover San Diego discusses how to do a tire rotation as well as why you do not want to skip this service below.

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The Importance of Tire Rotation

Over time, your tires will start to wear down unevenly due to factors like the road conditions around Rancho Santa Fe and your driving habits. For example, the outside edges of the front tires show greater wear due to the added stress placed on them while turning. If you always leave your tires in the same position, they will wear down at different rates. If this happens, you will have to replace them sooner than necessary. If you have a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicle, a tire rotation should be performed every 5,000-7,500 miles. Because each tire is actively engaged at all times with an all-wheel drive vehicle, your tires will need to be rotated more frequently, usually every 3,000-5,000 miles. Be sure to check your owner’s manual to see if there are different recommendations from the manufacturer that should be followed.

Tire Rotations and Tire Position

• FWD Tires: Move the front tires to the back while keeping them on the same side. When you move the rear tires to the front, those tires will also change sides.

• RWD Tires: When you move the rear tires to the front, keep them on the same side. When you move the front tires to the back, swap sides.

How to Do a Tire Rotation: DIY Guide

Before you can rotate your tires, you will need to compile the proper supplies: a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jack stands. When you have everything you need, you are ready to get started:

1. For added security, engage your parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but keep them in place. It will be much easier to unscrew them when the tire is elevated.
3. Lift up one wheel with a car jack and place the jack stand underneath it.
4. Remove the tires individually.
5. This is a good time to also check your tire pressure. If your tires are not inflated to the proper level, add the necessary amount of air.
6. Rotate your tires using the correct pattern. Put the tire back onto the wheel mount and screw the lug nuts on by hand as far as possible.
7. Lower the car from the jack stands and finish tightening the nuts with the wrench. Work diagonally from one to another in a star pattern so that all of them are tightened evenly. This can help to prevent a warped brake rotor.

Set Up a Tire Rotation at Land Rover San Diego

If you prefer to leave regular tire rotations to a professional, you can set up your next appointment at Land Rover San Diego. Contact us today for more information.