How to Rotate Car Tires

In this article you will learn how to rotate tires on your car properly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lug wrench that came with your car or sockets (that fit your wheel lugs) and socket wrench.
• Floor Jack
• 4 Jack stands
• Torque Wrench
• Impact Wrench with air compressor (optional)
• Crayon (optional)

1. Use your socket or lug wrench to break loose the lug nuts on all 4 tires by turning to the left. DO NOT take the lugs nuts off, just break the initial tension on them.

2. Check your vehicle owners manual for proper placement of the floor jack.

3. Place the floor jack at the first lift point as found in step one and raise the floor jack (usually by pumping a handle). Make sure that you have one of the four jack stands next to you for use in Step 3.

4. Slide the jack stand underneath the vehicle placing it inline with the raised part of the pinchwell.

5. Lower the jack slowly so the vehicle sits on the jack stand.

6. Repeat steps 3 - 5 with the other lift points on the vehicle.

7. push down on the front or back of your car to make sure that it is sitting properly on the jack stands. If it does not feel secure, re-adjust as needed. It is better to test the car at this point then to have it fall with no tires on it.

8. Use the crayon to mark the inside of the tires with FR - for the front right, FL - for the front left, RR - for the right rear, and LR for the left rear.

9. Remove the lug nuts from all four tires.

10. Remove all four tires and refer to your owners manual for the proper order of rotation.

11. After you have placed the tires in their new location, tighten the lugs until they are just snug.

12. Use the floor jack on the first lift point to raise the vehicle off of the jack stand.

13. Remove the jack stand from underneath the car at the first lift point and slowly lower the floor jack.

14. Repeat steps 12 and 13 for the other tires.

15. Refer to your owners manual or the tire placard (usually found as a sticker in the doorway of the drivers door) for the proper torque used on the wheel lugs.

16. Set your torque wrench to the specification found in step 15 and finish tightening the lug nuts on all four tires.

17. Take a short slow test drive around your neighborhood - listen and feel for anything that is strange.

Tips & Warnings

• Torquing your wheels properly helps to ensure even wear on the tires and braking system
• Make sure to read all safety warnings for vehicle and tools before using
• If you are not comfortable with following these procedures, you may be best served by taking your vehicle to an automotive service technician.

[grammastacie]

on 9/19/2009 very informative! 5* and recommend.