How to Do a Tire Rotation

If you want to get the best performance possible on the East Hill roads, regular maintenance is key. And while you could schedule your service at Major World Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, many drivers wonder how to rotate tires at home. In this guide, we’ll describe the process of a typical tire rotation – along with why it’s so important to stick to your maintenance schedule!

Why Should I Rotate my Tires?

Tire rotations are important because your tires do not wear at an even rate. For example, when you turn the corner in Manhattan, you’re placing far more stress on your front tires than the rear tires. Additionally, your drivetrain can impact which tires receive the bulk of the strain while driving. A front-wheel drive car will wear down the front tires faster, while a rear-wheel drive vehicle will wear down the rear tires faster. That means you could wear out half of your tires before the other two need to be replaced!

When Should I Rotate my Tires?

Depending on your drivetrain and driving habits, you’ll need to schedule your tire rotation at different times. Generally speaking, front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles need a rotation every 5,000-7,500 miles. All-wheel drive vehicles tend to need attention earlier, so you should schedule your rotation around 3,000-5,000 miles since all tires are actively engaged. We recommend checking your owner’s manual for more specific guidelines.

How Do I Rotate my Tires?

Before you begin, you’ll need a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jacks. Then, follow these instructions carefully:

• Engage your parking brake. Loosen your lug nuts, but don’t take them off completely.
• Lift one wheel with the car jack and put the jack stand underneath it.
• Remove tires completely and check the air pressure.
• FWD tires: Move the front tires to the back of the car. Move the rear tires to the front, switching the left and right tire.
• RWD tires: Move the rear tires to the front of the car. Move the front tires to the rear, switching the left and right tire.
• Put the tire back on the wheel mount and tighten the lug nuts by hand.
• Lower the car to the ground and use the lug wrench to finish tightening the lug nuts. Working diagonally in a star pattern will give the best results.

Learn More with Major World Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Whether you want to schedule your maintenance service or ask our service department for additional advice, Major World Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is here to help drivers in the Westbury area. Contact us with any questions.