How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Do you know how often you should rotate your tires? Maybe you don’t even know what a tire rotation is. No problem, Earl Stewart Toyota is at your service! Whether you want to rotate your tires at home or would rather have our service department do it for you, Earl Stewart Toyota is your best tire resource. Learn when it’s time to rotate your tires with Earl Stewart Toyota below. Or, if you need a set of new tires, a tire rotation, or a wheel alignment around Lake Park, call our service department! 

Why Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Tires typically wear out unevenly over time. Usually, the outside edges of your front tires will show more significant wear, while the rear wheels wear out more evenly. That’s why if you don’t routinely rotate your tires, they will wear at different rates, and you’ll have to buy new tires sooner. Rotating your tires will save you money and will help keep you safe when driving around Palm Beach County or West Palm Beach.

When to Rotate Your Tires on FWD and RWD Vehicles

How often should you rotate your tires? Front and rear-wheel drive vehicles should have their tires rotated about 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Of course, you check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your particular Toyota model.

How to Rotate Tires on FWD Vehicles

When working with FWD automobiles, move the front tires to the back of the vehicle in the same left/right positions. But, when moving the rear tires up to the front, switch the right and left tires.

How to Rotate Tires on RWD Vehicles

When working with RWD tires, do the opposite as above. The rear tires should be moved to the front of the vehicle in the same left and right positions. When you move the front tires to the rear, switch the left and right tire positions.

When to Rotate Your Tires on AWD Vehicles

Have a Toyota car, truck, or SUV with AWD (all-wheel drive)? All-wheel-drive vehicles need tire rotation every 3,000-5,000 miles. AWD vehicles need their tires rotated more often than FWD and RWD vehicles because all tires are actively engaged at the same time, which causes them to wear out more quickly; in other words, the power from your engine is sent to every wheel for an AWD drivetrain, as opposed to only a pair of tires, like on FWD or RWD configurations. Therefore, you’ll have to rotate your tires a specific way and more repeatedly.

How to Rotate Tires on AWD Vehicles

Follow the instructions below to guarantee a safe and reliable AWD tire rotation:

• The left rear goes to the right front spot.
• The right rear goes to the left front spot.
• The right front goes to the left rear spot.
• The left front goes to the right rear spot.

How to Do a Tire Rotation: Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to rotate tires at home, you’ll need a car jack and a lug nut wrench. Then, when you have all the tools you need in hands, follow these steps:

1. Set your parking brake as an extra safety precaution.
2. Loosen all of the lug nuts on all four wheels but don’t take them off just yet.
3. Using the car jack, lift one wheel and place the jack stand underneath it.
4. Remove all of the tires on your vehicle and fill them to the optimal tire pressure (written outside the tire). Once correctly filled, rotate your tires according to the directions above for your type of tires. Then, screw on the lug nuts by hand as far as possible
5. Lastly, lower your car from the jack stand and use the lug wrench to tighten and secure all of the lug nuts on each tire. It’s best to work the lug nuts diagonally from one to another in a star-like pattern.

Earl Stewart Toyota is Here for All of Your Tire Needs

Now that you know how many miles to rotate tires, if it’s time, make a service appointment at Earl Stewart Toyota. Our service department will take good care of you and your Toyota and have you back on Palm Beach Gardens roads in no time. That’s why our customers keep coming back year after year! Check out our money-saving service specials and then contact us today. If you would like to learn more about your tires, check out our guide on how to check your tire tread depth or how to fill your tire with air.