Rotating Tires

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Feb 22, 2011 | 12:20 PM

#16

dagren99

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Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 1,102

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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)

The "free rotation" bit can be a bit of a scam - wife took her EX in and they told her that she needed new brakes. She called me and I said tell them to just rotate the tires. Got it on our lift in the shop and the pads had 60% left on them w/ plenty of rotor left. They put the lugs on sooo darn tight I had to get a wrench we normally use on tractor tire to get the lugs off!

Feb 22, 2011 | 12:35 PM

#17

12ozd

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Joined: Aug 2008

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From: No.Va.

I always do four.
X to the rear and straight to the front.
I don't go by mileage, I go by wear.
No need to rotate them just because.

Feb 22, 2011 | 09:04 PM

#18

78bigbronco

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,810

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From: Central Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpounds

I'm not sure why anyone rotates their own tires in the driveway. Free rotation comes with a set of tires just about everywhere. Why not use it. Get them balanced while you are at it. Your lady friends will thank you.

This is true most of the time, and I think folks do use it. But not all the time... off the top of my head I can think of a few reasons, one if you order online, or if your tire shop is say an hour away in my case. Sure there are a couple local places closer but can't get the kind of deal from a place like discount tire or sams in town. I for one dont mind doing some wrenching, and the rotation would conveniently coincide with oil changes.

Feb 23, 2011 | 07:58 AM

#19

Snowseeker

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Joined: May 2005

Posts: 13,484

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From: Stevens Point, WI

We do 4 tire on all our trucks. What we do is this. Rotate the 4 wheels for the life of the tires. If the spare on the truck is new we will buy 3 new matching to the spare tires and install on the truck. The better of the old tires gets put on the spare wheel. Once there is a used tire on the spare wheel it pretty much stays there for the life of the truck. Our oldest spare is about 20 years old. The spares to get a little deformed on the sidewalls from sitting in the carrier but they still work fine for getting you home. None of our trucks will leave home without a spare, so if we get a flat and use the spare that truck will sit until the flat is fixed and back on the truck.

5 tire rotations always leave one oddball tire out of the bunch that will have more meat on it.

Feb 23, 2011 | 12:38 PM

#20

bryyce62

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 1,857

Likes: 5

From: Northern CA

Another 4 tire rotation here.
Do it at 5K miles then every 10K until worn out.

The spare? That's what AAA is for.

( ^^ That smartass remark is a surefire way to get a flat 50 miles from the nearest phone)

Feb 23, 2011 | 01:36 PM

#21

2000silverbullet

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Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 5,326

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From: Gilbert

4 tire rotation for me. I do mine myself after having lug nuts tightened excessively tight, or in one case (which I posted about long ago), my front right tire almost fell off as the lugs weren't tightened enough by a local shop. Made it home with 3 out of 8 lugs on (on a 37" tire). With me doing it, I get to blame myself if I screw it up so I take the time to torque every lug to the factory recommended specs.

I also rotate mine at every oil change. I used to do every other but got in the habit with my 2000 that had oversized tires to rotate often.

Someone asked what's the largest spare you can fit, I had a 35x12.50 in the factory spare location, wasn't much room for any bigger. Had to put a heat barrier between the tire and exhaust though, was really close.