6 Handy Tips for Rotating Your Own Tires

Your tires don’t just keep you rolling; they also help you stay in control of your vehicle. Properly cared-for tires are better able to grip the road when it’s raining, cushion the weight of your vehicle, and safely stop when you have to slam on the brakes. Keeping them inflated is important, but don’t forget about the other DIY car maintenance you need to do regularly: Tire rotation! Keeping up with your tire rotations can help you extend the life of your tires and even reduce wear and tear on your car itself. Check out our tips to learn how to rotate your tires, and contact us at U Wrench It for any used auto parts you need for your next project or repair. 

How (And Why) to Rotate Your Tires

Reasons to Rotate

Your tires wear down over time, and as they lose traction, they can become unsafe. However, they don’t wear down evenly, which is why tire rotation is so important! For instance, front tires tend to wear down faster than rear tires, and the tires on the left side of the vehicle tend to wear down faster because drivers take left turns faster than right turns (at least here in the U.S.).

If you don’t even out the wear and tear on your tires with occasional tire rotation (typically needed around the same frequency as oil changes), you may drastically shorten the life of your tires, make your vehicle less safe, or even damage the drivetrain of your all-wheel-drive vehicle. 

How to Rotate Tires Yourself

• Make sure the car is in park with the emergency brake engaged. 
• Loosen and remove the lug nuts on each wheel. (Don’t lose them!)
• Use your car jack and jack stands to raise your car so you can remove the wheels safely. It’s important to use jack stands (or sturdy wood blocks) to keep your car lifted and in place while you work.. 
• Remove each tire and swap it accordingly. The correct way to rotate your tires depends on the type of tires in question. 
  • Directional tires are made to go on one side of the car. You should rotate directional tires from left-front to left-rear and right-front to right-rear. 
  • Non-directional tires should be rotated in a crossed pattern: Left-front to right-rear, right-front to left-rear, and rear tires rotated forward on the same side of the vehicle (left-rear to left-front, right-rear to right-front).
    If you’re more of a visual learner, check out these graphics to find your correct tire rotation pattern. 
• Replace and tighten the lug nuts on each wheel.
• Lower your car from the jack. You’re ready to hit the road!

Keep up with your car maintenance and drive safe! We’ll be here whenever you need used auto parts in Atlanta.