How to Do a Tire Rotation

While you can always schedule a tire rotation at Allen Samuels Hyundai, there are many car enthusiasts throughout Humboldt and Milan who love to take the DIY approach. Want to learn how to do a tire rotation in your own garage? We’re here to walk you through the steps! Learn why rotating your tires is so important, and then take on the tough tasks yourself with service tips from Allen Samuels Hyundai.

When Should I Rotate My Tires?

Your tire rotation interval depends on your type of vehicle, as well as your driving style. Front- and rear-wheel drive models typically schedule a tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Meanwhile, AWD and 4WD need a tire rotation every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual for more specific guidelines or just chat with our technicians. Keep in mind that if you take part in frequent racing, towing, or other intensive activities, you’ll want to schedule your maintenance earlier.

How Do I Rotate My Tires?

Before you begin the process, you’ll want to grab your supplies. You’ll need a car jack, lug nut wrench, and jack stands. If you want to invest in your car tools, a hydraulic jack is easier to use than a scissor jack. It’s also a good idea to grab your owner’s manual for quick reference. Then follow these steps:

1. Apply the parking brake and loosen all your lug nuts.
2. Find a spot under the car for a jack – usually marked by a notch. Look at your owner’s manual for guidelines.
3. Lift one wheel with the jack and place the stand underneath. Remove the jack.
4. Lift the other side of the car that the lifted wheel will be replacing. Place the stand underneath and remove the jack.
5. Remove both wheels and inspect the wear. If you notice any damage, head to a tire center.
6. Follow the pattern of rotation for your specific vehicle. Be sure to check the direction of the tire and be careful not to install the tire backward.
7. Screw the lug nuts back on by hand.
8. Put the jack under the wheel you finished rotating. Lift the vehicle slightly to remove the stand, and lower to the ground.
9. Repeat the process until each tire is in its new place.
10. Lower to the ground and finish tightening all the lug nuts with a lug wrench in a diagonal pattern. 

What About my Spare Tire?

If you have a full-size spare tire, feel free to use it in your tire rotation. This allows you to equalize the wear and tear across five tires instead of four, which means you might stretch out the lifespan of your set even more on the Brownsville roads. But if your spare tire is a “donut” or space saver, do not include it in the rotation.

Get Expert Car Care with Allen Samuels Hyundai

Whether you’re getting ready to rotate your tires or you need to pick up a new set of replacements, feel free to get in touch with our team at Allen Samuels Hyundai. Contact us online or stop by Jackson to learn how we can help you!