In order to get the full life cycle out of your tires in Aurora, it’s important to keep up with regular tire rotations. This can be done at a local service department or at home in your own garage, but if you choose the latter, you’ll first need to know how to do a tire rotation. Learn more about the importance of this necessary maintenance, then explore our step-by-step guide to learn how to rotate tires at home.
Why Is Tire Rotation Important?
As you drive through Denver every day, your tires do not wear evenly. Every time you turn, for instance, the outer edges of the front tires experience more wear while the rear tires will tend to wear more evenly. It is for this reason that failing to rotate your tires will cause them to wear out at different rates, requiring replacement sooner than would otherwise be necessary.
When Should You Rotate Your Tires?
If your vehicle is front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, a tire rotation is recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. All-wheel drive vehicles require more frequent rotation at every 3,000 to 5,000-mile interval, because all four tires are actively engaged, resulting in faster wear. For a model-specific interval, we recommend you consult your owner’s manual.
Tire Position
- FWD Tires: You can move the front tires to the back of the car in the same left/right positions. When moving the rear tires to the front, you must switch the right and left tire.
- RWD Tires: The opposite is true with RWD vehicles. The rear tires can be moved to the front of the car in the same left/right positions, but when moving the front tires to the rear, you need to switch the left and right tire.
How to Rotate Tires at Home
If you’re gearing up to rotate your tires at home in Highlands Ranch, you’ll first need to gather a car jack, lug nut wrench, and a set of car jack stands. Once you’ve acquired these, simply follow our step-by-step instructions:
- Engage parking brake for an extra measure of safety.
- Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels, but don’t take them all the way off. This will make it far easier to unscrew them entirely once the vehicle is lifted up.
- Lift up one wheel with a car jack and place the jack stand underneath it.
- Remove the tires one at a time.
- As you work, take the time to ensure your tires are filled to their proper tire pressure. Then, you will rotate them in the appropriate pattern for your drivetrain. Place the tire onto the wheel mount, then screw the lug nuts back on by hand as far as you’re able to.
- Lower the car from the jack stands, then use the lug wrench to finish tightening the lug nuts. It’s usually best to work in a star pattern as you tighten the lug nuts, as this helps ensure even tightening. Otherwise, the brake rotor is susceptible to warping.
Get Additional Tire Rotation Help at Courtesy Acura
If you’re feeling daunted after learning how to do a tire rotation yourself, the expert technicians at Courtesy Acura can help! Schedule an appointment with us in Centennial today, and be sure to consult our service specials for incredible savings on routine maintenance and more. We can also provide tips on how to clean leather seats.
