How to Rotate Tires Yourself

Getting a better grip on Dunlap roads should be of paramount concern to any driver. And that means it behooves most to learn how to rotate tires on their own, just like how to jump start your car, even if you take your vehicle to a local Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Wagoneer service department. Learn more about what goes into rotating tires in this handy guide from Sam Leman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Peoria. Take the initiative you need to extend the life of the tires on your new vehicle, and keep yourself safe in inclement weather or other harsh conditions.

Why Is Tire Rotation Necessary?

It doesn’t matter your driving habits, or your choice of drivetrain: Tires do not wear evenly. Turning, for example, delivers greater friction to your front tires’ outer edges, while your rear wheels wear out more evenly. As a result, leaving your tires in the same position for the entire life of your vehicle will result in more replacements than you need.

How Often to Rotate Your Tires

It depends on the driver, the vehicle, and consistent driving conditions, but both front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles usually need a tire rotation every 5,000-7,500 miles. Consistent and active engagement on all four wheels attached to an AWD vehicle usually creates a need for tire rotation every 3,000-5,000 miles in those cases. Check your owners manual for more specific recommendations.

Tire Position

• FWD Tires: Front tires should be moved to the back position on the same sides they were originally. As the rear tires move to the front, they should be switched horizontally.

• RWD Tires: RWD vehicles follow the opposite pattern in tire rotation: Switch sides as front tires move to the back, and leave rear tires in the same horizontal position as they move to the front.

Rotating Your Tires

As far as tools go, rotating your own tires only requires a set of car jacks and a lug nut wrench. Most already own this kind of equipment, since it’s used to change a spare tire in an emergency.

Just follow these 5 easy steps:

1. Engage parking brake for an extra measure of safety.
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 up one wheel with a car jack and place a jack stand underneath it. Repeat for all 4 tires until the car is raised.
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 Assistance with Tire Rotation at Sam Leman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Peoria

Rotating tires yourself is a relatively simple process, but that’s not to say it isn’t time-consuming or labor-intensive. Don’t have the hours to spare? Come visit the experienced service technicians at Sam Leman Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Peoria, who can perform the service for you, and install Jeep Wrangler accessories, at a surprisingly inexpensive cost. We have the service specials to save you money near Bartonville, and online scheduling available for all drivers in the Galesburg area and beyond. Have remaining questions? Contact us today!

Our Service Specials

We are currently updating our Specials. Please check back soon.