How To Rotate Tires | Step-By-Step

Although the models in our lineup offer renowned durability, no car can handle the Voorhees winters without proper maintenance. And while most Deptford drivers know basic skills like how to check their oil level, most aren’t quite sure of how to rotate tires at home.

There’s good news. For DIY car repair enthusiasts, learning how to do a tire rotation takes only a few minutes, and it will help you drive more safely on the roads near and far from home. Simply follow our short guide below!

How To Rotate Tires At Home: Step-By-Step Guide

You’ll need a car jack, a lug nut wrench, and a set of car jack stands to do a tire rotation. Then, simply follow these steps closely:

1. Make sure the parking brake is engaged. 
2. On all four wheels, loosen the lug nuts but don’t remove them. Unscrewing the tires when they’re elevated then becomes much less of a hassle.
3. Use the jack to lift up one wheel, then place a jack stand underneath. 
4. Remove the tires one by one.
5. Make sure the tires have the correct tire pressure. Adjust as needed, then rotate them according to your drivetrain. Place each tire back onto its wheel mount, then screw the lug nuts on by hand. 
6. Lower the car from the jack stands, then use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts. To ensure even tightening, tighten the nuts in a star pattern. The brake rotor can warp if the nuts aren’t tightened appropriately, so make sure none are loose.

The Difference Between FWD, RWD, And AWD Tire Rotations

Because of their maximum traction, and because each tire receives varying amounts of engine power, all-wheel drive vehicles will need to have their tires rotated earlier than other vehicles, roughly around 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles should only need a tire rotation between 5,000 and 7,500 miles, but as mentioned above, these numbers are affected by a range of factors.

The difference between FWD, RWD, and AWD vehicles doesn’t stop at their intervals; it also affects how to rotate tires. See below:

RWD Tires: The rear tires are moved to the front and kept on the same sides, but when the front tires are moved to the rear, the sides need to be switched.
FWD Tires: The front tires require the opposite: the front tires are moved to the back of the car and kept on the same sides. The rear tires are moved to the front, and the sides are flipped.
AWD/4WD Tires:The pattern for AWD/4WD cars is a little simpler, however:

• Left rear tire switches places with the right front tire
• Right rear trades with the left front

The Benefits Of Tire Rotation

Because power is distributed to your wheels at different rates, the amount of wear that your tires accrue will vary depending on their location. Your tires wear down at different rates, and if this natural tendency isn’t countered by regular tire rotation, many systems in your vehicle will experience more stress than is needed.

In most vehicles, turning puts extra wear on the outer edges of your front tires, while rear tires tend to wear more evenly. Tires that directly receive power from the engine (such as front wheel tires in a FWD vehicle) are likely to wear more quickly as well. Other factors of tire wear include road conditions and your driving style, so you should check your owner’s manual and consult with your local service team to get specific advice and details for your Cherry Hill-area commutes.

Chevrolet Of Turnersville, Your Maintenance Specialists

Whether you’re interested in at-home car care or trusting your certified technicians in Turnersville with the task, keeping up with regular maintenance is a necessity for your vehicle’s lifespan. Contact the Chevrolet Of Turnersville specialists today for all your service needs, or trade up for a new set today at our tire center! Whether you’re looking for basic maintenance or you’re trying to reset a check engine light at home, we’ve got your back.