How to Do a Tire Rotation Yourself

Tire rotations are a critical part of routine auto maintenance. They help the tread wear more evenly, which plays an important role not just in tire longevity but in vehicle performance and safety. Keep your vehicle in peak condition on the roads of Chicago, New Lenox, and beyond by prioritizing tire rotations. Below, our service experts at Sutton Ford tell you to do a tire rotation yourself.

How to Do a Tire Rotation at Home

Before you get started, take the time to gather the tools you’ll need: a lug nut wrench, a car jack, and a set of car jack stands. Now you’re ready to begin; here’s how to do a tire rotation step by step:

1. Engage the parking brake for additional safety and peace of mind as you work.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on each wheel, but don’t take them completely off.
3. Use the jack to raise one wheel and slide the jack stand under it.
4. Take the tires off.
5. Check for adequate tire pressure and fill tires with air as needed. Then you can rotate them based on your preferred rotation pattern. Just position the tire on the wheel mount and screw the lug nuts on by hand as far as they will go.
6. Lower the car from the jack stands and finish tightening the lug nuts. We suggest working diagonally from one lug nut to another in a star pattern, as this helps guarantee all of them are tightened evenly and prevents damage to the brake rotors.

How Often to Rotate Your Tires

If you have a front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicle, aim to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Because the tires on all-wheel drive vehicles make more intensive contact with the road, we recommend rotating the tires on your AWD vehicle every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Consult your owner’s manual for specific rotation intervals.

How to Choose a Tire Rotation Pattern

The ideal rotation pattern depends on whether your vehicle is FWD, RWD, or AWD. These are the most popular patterns for each drivetrain:

• FWD Tires – Move the front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right positions. Move the rear tires to the front, but switch the right and left placements.
• RWD Tires – Do the opposite with a RWD vehicle: move the back tires to the front in the same left/right positions, and the front tires to the back on the opposite sides.
• AWD Tires – For AWD vehicles, every tire should be in a different position after rotation: the left rear goes to the right front; the right rear goes to the left front; the right front goes to the left rear; and the left front goes to the right rear.

Schedule a Tire Rotation at Sutton Ford Today

At Sutton Ford, we’d be more than happy to perform your tire rotation for you. Schedule an appointment online or contact us directly. Don’t miss our latest service specials for ways to save on your tire rotation, and check out our service tips for keeping your vehicle running its best between visits.