The Correct Way to Rotate Tires on a Jeep

Use a five-tire rotation pattern on a Jeep.

Jeeps typically come with a full-size spare on a wheel that matches the mounted rims. Using the spare in a five-tire rotation pattern will promote even wear on all five tires and gets some useful life out of the spare. Regularly scheduled tire rotation--at least once a year--is a requirement from most tire manufacturers to maintain the tire warranty.

Things You'll Need

• Hydraulic floor jack
• 4 jack stands
• Lug wrench
• Wooden blocks or wheel chocks

Instructions

1. Set the parking brake and use the blocks or chocks to chock the rear wheels.

2. Dismount the spare tire from its carrier.

3. Jack up the front of the Jeep using the hydraulic jack. The front differential is a good jacking point. Place two of the jack stands under the axle, just inside of the wheels. Lower the Jeep front axle onto the jack stands. The front tires should be off the ground.

4. Jack up the rear of the Jeep using the rear differential as a jack point. Place the jack stands under the axle as with the front. Lower the axle onto the jack stands.

5. Use the lug wrench to remove the lug nuts and dismount each of the wheels from the hubs. Keep the lug nuts organized and make a note of the starting position of each wheel and tire.

6. Rotate the tires to their new mounting positions. The tires from the rear axle move forward to the front on the same side of the Jeep. The spare tire goes to the rear, passenger's side position and the front passenger's side tire crosses back to the rear axle on the driver's side. The front driver's side tire becomes the new spare.

7. Remount all of the wheels and tires at the new positions. The lugs should be tightened in a crossing pattern to maintain straight wheel alignment with the hubs.

8. Lower the Jeep from the jack stands by reversing to jacking procedure.

Tips & Warnings

• Crack the lugs loose before jacking up the Jeep to make lug removal easier.

• A four-way spinner type lug wrench will make fast work of lug removal and installation.

• Recheck the tightness of all the lugs after driving about 60 miles. Remounted lugs have a tendency to initially loosen.

• Do not attempt to rotate the tires using the safety jack. A proper floor jack and jack stands is essential to safe wheel and tire rotation.

References

• Tire Rack: Tire Rotation Instructions

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish