Tire Rotation

[Masher88]

Always put a mark on one of your tires before taking them in to be rotated.

NTB tried to scam me today. "oh yeah..yer all set, sir" I go out and check and the mark I put on is on the same tire...what a load! Shoulda seen the jerks face when I told him I marked the rear drivers side tire..and the mark is still on the same position. Like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. Every excuse was thrown out. I ended up with a free oil change certificate and the rotation was free!

 

[MonetBass]

Way to catch the guy! Not a bad idea.

 

[tplyons]

or you can do it yourself. and with any luck, and intelligence, the mark won't be in the same place.

 

[iamlowsound]

What happened to rotating them yourself? It isn't hard at all and takes maybe 30 minutes. Plus it is free.

lowsound

 

[Masher88]

What happened to rotating them yourself? It isn't hard at all and takes maybe 30 minutes. Plus it is free.

lowsound

I don't have the tools (ramps, jacks etc...) and my driveway is on a pitch. Just easier to pay the 15 bucks once a year and not have to worry about it.

 

[fenderhutz]

I don't have the tools (ramps, jacks etc...) and my driveway is on a pitch. Just easier to pay the 15 bucks once a year and not have to worry about it.

Once a year????

I have to get mine done like 4-5 times.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Most places like Pep Boys will rotate the tires for free with an oil change.

 

[Stumbo]

The service writer I spoke with at the Honda dealer gets his done (free of course) every 3k miles. Said he got over 75k miles out of his tires.

If you have to pay, it's not worth it to rotate that often unless you do it yourself.

Some tire dealers include free rotation with the deal. Thing is that they try to get out of it by making it inconvenient...making you wait too long, etc. Then they try to sell you new tires. Be sure and schedule a rotation when there's no waiting so you can watch them do it.

 

[Masher88]

Once a year????

I have to get mine done like 4-5 times.

wow...that's a lot... I didn't know they needed it that often. It's been working for me my way, though, for all of my cars.

 

[tplyons]

I rotate mine every 3000 miles. While I've got the car up on stands to change the oil, I rotate the tires while I wait for the oil pan to drain.

 

[Mike N]

3000 is too often.

6000 is what most manufacturers and tire dealers recommend.

 

[Flintlock]

From someone who has never done it, what is rotating tires? I'm assuming you don't just spin them around a bit.

I just put my car in for an MOT every year, I'm assuming its done then.

 

[playinpearls]

put back tires on front, and front to back.

Front tire wear faster because they are turning right and left. The outer sides of the tires will start to "round" and eventually wear down showing metal when the rest of the tire is fine. Rotating evens out the wear, allowing you to get the full mileage out of your tires...

 

[MJ5150]

3000 is too often.

Interesting. I bought a set of Toyo Open Country AT's from my local Les Schwab. They told me every 3,000 miles. The tire rotations are free, and take them about 15 minutes. So I let them do it. I guess since I am not paying, there is no harm in every 3,000. Do you agree Mr. Mike?

-Mike

 

[FL Knifemaker]

Did you mark your oil filter??

 

[michelle_andree]

Did you mark your oil filter??

And that is something else to watch for, especially with the newer cartridge filters in the block. I've caught the GM dealer not changing the filter. Best to do whatever you can yourself, yes, I hate changing oil but I know it gets done right with quality oil & filter in 1/2hr. And I don't sabotage anything on my vehicles.

 

[Mike N]

Interesting. I bought a set of Toyo Open Country AT's from my local Les Schwab. They told me every 3,000 miles. The tire rotations are free, and take them about 15 minutes. So I let them do it. I guess since I am not paying, there is no harm in every 3,000. Do you agree Mr. Mike?

-Mike

No harm in doing it every 3000, Mike.

I'd rather see people rotate tires too often instead of not often enough.

 

[Mike N]

put back tires on front, and front to back.

Front tire wear faster because they are turning right and left. The outer sides of the tires will start to "round" and eventually wear down showing metal when the rest of the tire is fine. Rotating evens out the wear, allowing you to get the full mileage out of your tires...

Front wheel drive cars will also wear front tires quicker because the driving is being done by the front tires, while the rears are simply along for the ride.

If you're seeing steel on the edges and the rest of the tire is ok, either your tires are underinflated, out of alignment or both.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

We have a great oil change place in my town. They have pits and you can watch everything going on above and under your car. I had them change the diff oil in both axles on my Jeep, along with my oil/filter change. It's nice watching someone else do it

 

[fdeck]

I ended up with a free oil change certificate and the rotation was free!

Just a thought... is this precisely the sort of place where you want to get your oil changed?