Rotating tyres

RUBBISH

Manual vehicles all 5 tyres must be rotated that includes the spare!!

Auto vehicle 4 tyres, not the spare!!

Non directional tyres can be rotated any way!!

Directional tyres front to back only.

Constant 4wd vehicles in manual, "the spare" must go on the front only.

Baz.

The good oil from Bridgestone....

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Cheers,
Jezza

Hmmm, seems as many answers as questions on this rotation issue. While I
usually just front to back (same side) on my front wd cars in an effort to wear all 4 out round the same time & seems to work if done about every 10k. On the 4wd I
just dont seem to keep track but I try to keep tyres paired in tread wear, but
front isnt much of an issue with free hubs. Some may argue that a good tyre paired with a bald one may stress drive trains in 4wd but what are diffs for? I
wouldnt run like that, but not sure of long term effects.....oldbaz.

Rotating Tyres - my opinion. (FWIW)

The reason for rotating tyres is to even out uneven wear. That can be uneven across the tread, or more wear on one axle as compared to the other.

If my suspension / alignment causes uneven wear across the tread by rotating tyres regularly (5000- 8000 km !!!) you actually mask the fact that uneven wear is happening. Then you wear out all tyres faster than you ought to, to the benefit of the tyre company.

I prefer to see that a problem exists, and fix it before I loose too much rubber.

The cross rotation diagrams do not address the (possibly urban legend with current tyres) matter of reversing the rotation. The diagrams do not say if the tyre is to be changed so the inside goes to the outside or reversed in rotation. I have not met any fitter who can document a view on that, and with lettered sidewalls the question is acedemic - you always reverse the rotation.

In my opinion, I prefer to replace two tyres at a time rather than four, so that the wear on my wallet is reduced.

Therefore I always replace the front tyres when they require it, and put new tyres on the front.

Then when the rears require replacing I put the new on the front and the front part worn on the rear.

The spare goes into the mix (if it hasn't already through punctures) according to its tread level. - If new, then I avoid buying two new, and keep the best worn as a spare, if worn then it probably stays in the boot.

Anyway, when I am asked if I want the tyres rotated I think of the likelihood that afterwards I won't be able to undo the wheel nuts when I know I can at the moment, and I think of buying four tyres at a time, and I say "No thanks"

Ken

I rotated the 5 tyres on the Auto Jack after about 10,000k, which means some of them are rotating in the opposite direction. The spare went to the left front, as it had 0 ks travelled.

Haven't noticed any problems or difference in driving.

The perceived problem of different diameter tyres at each corner is a non-issue, since the only effect this has is to change the rotation speed of the particular axle. The axles rotate at different speeds even when tyres are identical, except when travelling dead ahead. As soon as you turn a corner, the diffs come into play and adjust for the different distance travelled by each tyre.

I wouldn't put a 31" tyre with 33" tyres on the same vehicle, except in an emergency, but one new tyre with 3 part worn tyres won't be a problem. I think it's best to keep the driven tyres as equal as possible.

Ha, well...now we're talking rotating tyres: I've a part-time 4wd (LC105) and rotate tyres every approx 5,000:

Look at front tyres and compare to spares.

If the spares are better then the one slung under the vehicle (which was Front Left previously) goes to Rear Right, and other spare (sometimes on roof rack, and always was Front Right) goes to Rear Left; and the Front Left goes under the vehicle and the Front Right goes on the roof rack or is left at home.

If the current front tyres are better they go diagonally across to the rear and the spares stay where they are.

Then always Rear Left to Front Left, Rear Right to Front Right.

My aim is to keep the best two on the rear, next-best two on the front.

Apparently in slippery conditions the average driver is better able to control understeer rather than oversteer and therefore it is better to put the tyres with more tread on the rear. Keep in mind that oversteer is more likely to result in a rollover, especially for a raised 4wd.

Lots of theorys and quotes from manufacturers etc BUT...

Is the manufacturer refering to left-hand drive vehicles?
Does the vehicle have independant suspension or beam axel?
Is the suspension torsion bar?

The above questions are far more important then just looking at a diagram on a web site. The whole idea of rotation is to get an even wear on all tyres so why not just keep an eye on them and rotate the ones that are worn? After all we don't worry where we put the spare when it's needed.

A good rule - read the manual for the vehicle and do what the mob who made it suggest.

As for masking excessive wear with five wheel rotation. Using the manual's 5 wheel rotate option for my 80 series manual L/c with constant 4WD, I have had 75000 km (Grandtreks), 95,000 km (BFG A/ts) and my third set of five BFGs tyres is up to 90,000 km now with a lot of wear left. ie I will get at least 80,000 km per tyre. I rotate every 10,000 km and balance every 20,000 km.

The biggest advantage of 5 wheel rotate is that you can choose to change brand or type and not be left with a couple of "odd bods", as happened on my '88 Jackaroo. But, bo**dy hell, have I had to argue with salesmen for tyre shops, who predict the world will fall in. (I have given up askingbthem to put the right pressures in tyres - I go around the corner and let them down to the pressure from the 4 psi rule.

Every sod is an expert, and I have been forced to find out by trial and error.

Max

I have my Coopers rotated as per Cooper warrenty, so give them a call for the correct way to rotate Coopers.

Same for other brands, call the manufacturer or supplier for there method.

That's what i did, then there's no confusion when it comes to warrenty issues.

This is my 3rd set of Coopers due to chipping and tread block seperation all replaced under warreny no questions asked because i did what they wanted in reguards to pressures, and regular rotation and care of their product.

First set lasted 6000ks STs, second set 25,000ks ST/Cs currently have 15,000ks on my current set of STTs.

Oh did i mention that COOPERS ARE CRAP!!!!!

Baz.