How to Do a Tire Rotation

Keeping up with routine vehicle maintenance is a must, and that includes tire rotations. While many drivers in the Bedford and Londonderry areas leave this task up to the technicians at Tulley BMW of Manchester, some like to perform DIY maintenance on their own. To prolong the life of your tires and keep you safe on the Manchester roads, knowing how to do a tire rotation is quite beneficial. Learn the steps below from the BMW service experts at Tulley BMW of Manchester.

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Why is Tire Rotation Necessary?

Driving habits and the drivetrain configuration of your vehicle cause your tires to wear unevenly. The wheels that are sent the majority of the engine power end up wearing down more quickly. That is why it is important to rotate your tires to prevent them from wearing down prematurely and having to replace the set more often.

How Often to Rotate Your Tires

For most Auburn drivers with FWD or RWD vehicles, a tire rotation is recommended every 5,000-7,500 miles. In the case of AWD vehicles, all tires are actively engaged, so they wear down more rapidly. That is why it is recommended that AWD vehicles receive a tire rotation more often, usually every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. There may be different recommendations from the automaker, so it is best to check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Tire Position

• FWD Tires: You can move the front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right positions. As you move the rear tires to the front, swap sides for the right and left tire.

• RWD Tires: With a RWD vehicle, the opposite is true. The rear tires can be moved to the front of the car in the same left/right positions, but that is not the case for the front tires. When moving them to the rear, swap the left and right tire.

Rotating Your Tires

Want to know how to rotate tires at home? To successfully perform this task, you will need a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jack stands. If you have everything that you need, you can get started right away:

1. To ensure your safety, engage the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but do not remove them completely. This will make it easier to unscrew them when the tire is elevated.
3. Lift up one wheel with a car jack and place the jack stand underneath it.
4. Take the tires off individually.
5. Now is a good time to also check your tire pressure. Fill the tires with air if needed, then rotate them according to the appropriate pattern for your type of tires. Place the tire back onto the wheel mount and screw the lug nuts on by hand as far as you can.
6. Lower the car from the jack stands and use the lug wrench to finish tightening the nuts. To make sure they are tightened evenly, work the lug nuts diagonally from one to another in a star pattern. The brake rotor can warp if the lug nuts aren’t tightened evenly.

Tire Rotations are Hassle-Free at Our BMW Service Center

If you do not want to perform a tire rotation on your own, you can leave that task to the professionals at Tulley BMW of Manchester. We will get you back on the roads of Concord as soon as possible. Remember to also take a look at our current service specials to save on all of the routine maintenance your vehicle requires, and learn all about how long your tires should last. Contact us today with any questions.