Car Tire Rotation Guide
This playbook describes the steps for rotating car tires, an important maintenance task that ensures even tire wear and prolongs tire life. It outlines when tire rotation should occur and the sequential steps involved in the tire rotation process.
Step 1: Schedule
Determine the best time to rotate your tires. Most manufacturers recommend every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for specific recommendations.
Step 2: Prepare
Gather all necessary tools including a car jack, lug wrench, and jack stands. Ensure you have a safe, flat area to work on and that your car is parked with the parking brake engaged.
Step 3: Loosen Lug Nuts
Before lifting the car, slightly loosen the lug nuts on all wheels with the lug wrench. Do not remove them completely at this stage.
Step 4: Lift Vehicle
Use the car jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. Place jack stands under the vehicle's frame for additional safety.
Step 5: Remove Wheels
Finish unscrewing the lug nuts and remove the wheels. Keep the lug nuts in a safe place where they won't get lost or mixed up.
Step 6: Rotate Tires
Follow the correct rotation pattern for your type of tires (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive) and type (directional or non-directional). Rear and front tires swap sides on a non-directional pattern, while directional tires swap front to rear on the same side.
Step 7: Attach Wheels
Place the tires back on their new positions and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
Step 8: Lower Vehicle
Carefully lower the vehicle back down and remove the jack stands. Once the car is firmly on the ground, use the lug wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure.
Step 9: Final Check
Ensure all lug nuts are secure and that you have not left any tools under or around the vehicle. It is recommended to recheck the lug nut tightness after a short drive.
General Notes
Safety
Always perform tire rotation in a safe location and use jack stands. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Tire Pressure
Check tire pressure after rotation and adjust if necessary to the recommended settings for your vehicle.
Alignment
Consider getting a wheel alignment checked periodically, as misalignment can cause uneven tire wear.