Rotation, or tire rotation, refers to switching the position of each tire on the car. It's done to help all of the tires wear evenly and last longer. In the simplest form of tire rotation, the tires at the front of the car are moved to the rear of the car, and the tires that were at the rear are moved to the front.

Check your owner's manual for the recommended tire rotation pattern and to see how often your tires should be rotated. If your manaual is not available, follow one of the patterns shown below, and have your tires rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. If you notice uneven treadwear, stop into Mountain View Tire. We can correct any alignment issues or other mechanical problems you may be having before rotating your tires.

Four-Tire Rotation Patterns

What tire rotation pattern should you follow? The Tire & Rim Association has identified three traditional rotation patterns covering most vehicles. (These apply to vehicles equipped with non-directional tires and wheels which are the same size and offset.)

• On front-wheel drive cars, rotate the tires in a forward cross pattern (Figure A) or the alternative X pattern (Figure B).
• On rear-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles, rotate the tires in a rearward cross pattern (Figure C) or the alternative X pattern (Figure B).

Today's performance tires and wheels have made two additional tire rotation patterns necessary.

• The front-to-rear pattern (Figure D) may be used for vehicles equipped with the same-size directional wheels and/or directional tires.
• A side-to-side pattern (Figure E) may be used when a vehicle's front axle non-directional tires and wheels are different sizes than those on the rear axle.

If neither of those two rotation patterns provides even wear, the tires should be removed and rebalanced. If your vehicle uses different sizes of directional wheels and tires with different front and rear offsets and directional tires, we'll need to remove, rebalance and mount the tires before rotating them.

Five-Tire Rotation Patterns

Many vehicles are equipped with a smaller, temporary spare that cannot be included in a tire rotation program. But if the vehicle's spare tire and wheel (if non-directional and not branded "for temporary use") match the four wheels and tires on the ground, it should be included in the rotation pattern. Follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire rotation procedures. If not available, insert the spare in the right rear position at every rotation. Place the tire that would have gone to the right rear in the trunk as the spare until the next tire rotation.

• On front-wheel drive cars with full-size matching spare, rotate the tires in a forward cross pattern (Figure F).
• On rear-wheel or four-wheel drive cars with full-size matching spare, rotate the tires in a rearward cross pattern (Figure G).

 
Five-tire rotation results in equally distributed use that will help maintain equivalent tread depths on all five tires throughout their service lives. Another reason to follow a five-tire rotation pattern: if a new spare is used in conjunction with three partially worn tires, driveline damage can result in four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles.