What is the real correct way to rotate tires?

[lambition]

When I roate tires, I usually just do front to rear, and rear to front with no corssing.
Not because I believe this is best, but just because I'm too lazy. LOL (Didn't want to have more than 2 wheels off at the same time.)


I did a google search to find what is the best way, and I found eveybody has different opinions.

Most suggested that
Front to rear, and rear to front with cross for front wheel drive.
Front to rear with cross, and rear to front for rear wheel drive.

Small number of people suggested X pattern.

And most other people suggested front to rear and rear to front without crossing and that radial tires should never be crossed because doing so will split the wires inside tire. (Tires should be rotating same direction they were installed when new, even for non-directional tires.)


Does anyone know if switching rotaion of tires will really split the wires inside?

Also anyone know theories behind all different rotation methods?

[GreenSolara01]

FWD Front tires go back, Back tires cross.

[1gSE]

FWD Front tires go back, Back tires cross.

I worked at a tire/custom wheel shop for 3 years and thats how we did it. Eventually everything would be everywhere

[lambition]

FWD Front tires go back, Back tires cross.

Do you know any theory behind this method? That is what I really want to know.


There are more than few people recommending against this.

Saying "criss crossing rotation will cause the belts inside the tire to separate poss ably causing a blowout"

Do you know if there is any truth behind this?

[akora12]

The method listed above has been the tride and true for years. My dad and uncle have been doing that on their hotrods since the 60's. Unless you have directional tires, I'd stick with it.

[1gSE]

The only belt separations I dealt with were manufacturer defects. Rotating them the way GreenSolara01 mentioned will have a more even wear across all 4 tires

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... ?techid=43

[lambition]

The only belt separations I dealt with were manufacturer defects. Rotating them the way GreenSolara01 mentioned will have a more even wear across all 4 tires

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... ?techid=43

So, do you believe it is safe to say belt seperation by cross rotating tires is a myth?

According to tirerack and many other tire related web sites, it seems changing direction of roation of a tire does not cause any problem unless it is a directional tire.

[Black Bob]

Criss-crossing aids in keeping tire wear even not just from tire to tire but also from left to right of each tire. With today's rubber compound and belt technology you should not see any belt separation on any tire unless you're hella speeding or your tires are hella old. In other words--cross rotation does not lead to belt separation and should prevent it. Directional tires are based off tread design (mostly)--wrong direction equals less traction and poor water channeling--no blowouts should occur if put on wrong.

Although Tirerack is a decent business remember they are trying to sell you tires (like oil change shops are selling 3,000 mile synthetic oil changes), so some info you read is going to be biased.

[HomeboyMI]

Page 286 of your Owners Manual suggests you rotate your tires front to rear without any criss crossing.

[aleki2424]

I though it also depended on the type of tire you had in the first place. Like the tread direction and design also affected this.

[Taido]

Unless you want to remove the tires from the rims, flip them around, and put them back on every time you rotate them, don't crisscross with directional tires.