Why is Tire Rotation Necessary?
Because driving habits can vary, uneven tire wear is the result. Thanks to the impact they experience while turning, the outside edges of the front tires show greater wear while the rear wheels wear more evenly. If you never rotate your tires, you will end up having to replace them more frequently, which can be quite costly.
How Often to Rotate Your Tires
Front and rear-wheel drive vehicles should receive a tire rotation every 5,000-7,500 miles. This task should be performed more frequently for all-wheel drive vehicles because each tire is actively engaged at all times. Because of this, your vehicle should have a tire rotation every 3,000-5,000 miles. As with any vehicle service, we always recommend checking your owner’s manual for more specific recommendations.
Tire Position
- FWD Tires: You can move the front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right positions. Before you move the rear tires to the front, the right and left tire will need to be swapped.
- RWD Tires: For RWD vehicles, you will need to do the opposite. 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
Before you rotate your own tires, find a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jacks. If you have all of the proper tools, you can begin the process using these simple steps.
- For an added level of safety, you will want to engage the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but do not remove them completely. By leaving them in position, unscrewing them when the tire is elevated is much less of a hassle.
- Lift up one wheel with a car jack and place the jack stand underneath it.
- Remove the tires one by one.
- Now is a good time to check tire pressure. If all tires are filled to the proper level, 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.
- 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. It is possible for the brake rotor to warp if you do not tighten the lug nuts evenly.
Get Assistance With Tire Rotation at BMW of Escondido
Now that you know how to do a tire rotation, you may still not be comfortable rotating tires yourself. Don’t worry. The skilled technicians at the BMW of Escondido service center near San Diego would be glad to assist you. Contact us today for more information or set up an appointment online. You can also get more automotive tips from us, like how to change your brake lights, and be better prepared for car ownership!
