How to Do a Tire Rotation Yourself

Ideal Auto is here to help you figure out what you need to do to perform a tire rotation safely at home. From the supplies you’ll want to have on-hand to the generalized procedure you’ll want to follow, we can help ensure that your DIY tire rotation goes as smoothly as possible. Ready to learn more? Read on. Otherwise, don’t be shy to contact us with questions.

Why Tire Rotation is Important

You might think that because tires are relatively similar all around the tread that they wear evenly. Not so. In fact, because of driving habits, uneven roads, and other factors, tires actually wear unevenly. Vehicle drivetrains also have an impact on tire wear. So how do you ensure your tires last as long as possible on the roads of Bismarck and Williston? One surefire way to do so is by getting regular tire rotations done. Don’t want to pay for something you can do yourself? Then this guide is for you.

How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

As mentioned above, a vehicle’s drivetrain effects when its tires should be rotated. Namely, front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles generally need their tires rotated every 5,000-7,500 miles. All-wheel drive vehicles on the other hand need more frequent tire rotations. In fact, if you drive an AWD (or 4×4) vehicle, you’re looking at a recommended tire rotation interval of roughly 3,000-5,000 miles. Please be sure to check your owner’s manual for more specific guidelines.

Learn More About the Importance of Tire Position

• FWD Tires: Move the front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right positions. Flip flop the rear tires in an “X” pattern as they move to the front, though.
• RWD Tires: The opposite is true with RWD vehicles.

Here’s How to Rotate Your Tires at Home in Six Steps

Ready to learn how to do a tire rotation in your New Town garage or driveway? Here are six simple steps to follow:

1. Engage your parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but do not fully remove them. This ensures that once the car is lifted, it’s easier to remove the lugnuts, but the wheels will still remain on the vehicle until it’s safely supported.
3. Use a lift or car jacks under each wheel to lift the car up.
4. Remove each tire, one at a time.
5. Fill your tires up with air if needed. Next, rotate them according to the appropriate pattern for your type of tires and your drivetrain system. Finally, put each 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.

Trust Ideal Auto for All Your DIY Car Care Needs

We hope this guide helped you learn how to rotate tires at home. If you have any other questions about car care, consult our car care guide.