How to Rotate Tires

Mechanic with Tires

Want to learn how to rotate tires and understand why this maintenance task is so important? Regardless of whether you complete a tire rotation yourself or bring your new Ford or used model to the Sam Leman Ford service center, this maintenance is crucial for enhanced traction on the Normal roads and extended tire life. Follow this guide to get started, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Why Rotate Your Tires?

What’s the point of rotating your tires, anyway? In short, tires don’t wear evenly. When you complete a turn on the Decatur streets, the outside edges of the front tires experience more wear, whereas the rear wheels wear more evenly. So, if you leave tires in place, this different rate of wear will result in you needing to get replacement tires much sooner. Rotating your tires, on the other hand, ensures a more even distribution of wear.

How Often to Rotate Your Tires

Your vehicle’s drivetrain has a significant impact on tire rotation frequency. Models with front- or rear-wheel drive need their tires rotated every 5,000 or 7,500 miles, while tires on vehicles with all-wheel drive require rotations every 3,000 or 5,000 miles. As you would with oil changes, check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations on frequency of this service.

Tire Position

First and foremost, take note of where you need to position your tires in a tire rotation. With front-wheel drive, move front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right position, and switch sides when moving the rear tires forward. With rear-wheel drive, do the opposite, keeping the rear tires in the same left/right position when moving them forward and switching the front tires in the rear.

Steps to Rotate Your Tires

Ready to learn how to rotate tires at home? Follow these simple steps at home:

  1. Activate the parking brake.
  2. Loosen lug nuts on all four wheels, but don’t remove them completely.
  3. Lift one wheel with a car jack, with the jack stand underneath it.
  4. Remove tires one by one, checking tire pressure as you go and refilling with air as necessary.
  5. Rotate the tires according to the pattern for your specific drivetrain. Place the tire back onto the wheel mount, and screw the lug nuts back into place.
  6. Lower the car, and use a lug wrench to tighten the nuts further.

Consult Sam Leman Ford for More Service Tips!

Have questions about rotating your tires? Prefer to bring your vehicle in for a tire rotation? The trained professionals at Sam Leman Ford are here to help! Schedule service near Champaign today, and make sure to check out our service specials to save! Want additional service advice? Learn how to install a car battery, about the different Ford F-150 bolt patterns, or how often to change oil.

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Sam Leman Ford 40.460004, -088.969277.