Tyre Rotation - II, X or X, X?
Submitted: Monday, Jul 25, 2022 at 22:52
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Bazooka
No it's not an algebra question, so we can all relax.
I've googled and there seems to be two distinct schools of thought for 4WD/AWD four tyre rotation (bought the Prado second hand, too late to include the spare, which is unused).
Some websites say rears should go straight forward and fronts cross over at back (II,X or A in the image below), while others suggest XX (B in the
pic).
I've always been an XX man with my previous part-time 4WDs (MQ Patrol, Jackaroo) but I'm not sure if my AWD Prado is different. Does it really matter anyway?
Over to youse experts. All comments gratefully accepted.
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Monday, Jul 25, 2022 at 23:12
Monday, Jul 25, 2022 at 23:12
None of them.
2 spares are included. The front pair go to the rear, the rear to the spares and the spares to the front.
All tyres remain on the same side of the vehicle in order that they all continue to rotate in the same direction.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
641256
Follow Up By: Member - silkwood - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 07:13
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 07:13
Similar, but the front go to the spares (in specific order so they rotate sides upon refitting), rear go to front (same side) and spares go to rear.
For some reason I've always thought having the front wheels (which, obviously, take on steering as
well as drive) should go to spare. Thinking about it, I have no real reason for this, but can find no reason for change. Maybe I feel the front wheels, after all that steering and on-off drive responsibilities, deserve a rest ??.
Cheers,
Mark
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Phil G - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 08:35
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 08:35
Gday Peter,
All the tyre manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers I've looked at recommend crossing the tyres, unless the tyres are directional.
I think keeping them on the same side is no longer relevant.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Life Member - Duncan W (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 09:44
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 09:44
Peter I think that ALL your tyres (except the spares) will rotate in the same direction. LOL
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 12:07
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 12:07
And hopefully at about the same speed Dunc.
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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 18:17
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 18:17
The tyres I use ARE directional.
Despite that, I understand that maintaining the same direction of rotation for the life of the tyre is better than not.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 19:59
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 19:59
I recall decades ago there was a notion doing the rounds that reversing tyre direction could potentially cause steel belt failure. Never say never but I can't remember ANY evidence ever being proffered at the time, or since. Given tyre manufacturers don't mention this for modern non-directional tyres (the vast majority), the "problem" either faded away with tech improvements, or was never actually real/significant.
Well, that's my inference anyway.
FollowupID:
920327
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, Jul 25, 2022 at 23:55
Monday, Jul 25, 2022 at 23:55
I have not seen a tyre rotation diagram in any of the modern vehicle handbook. However, the older ones went like this:
Spare > L F, LF > RR, RR > RF, RF > LR, LR > spare.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Athol W1 - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 07:33
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 07:33
Ever since my first days as an Apprentice (1963) I have rotated tyres Spare to LF, to LR, to RF,to RR, to Spare on ALL vehicle drive configurations.
Should the spare not be used then C would apply.
Regards
Athol
AnswerID:
641259
Reply By: Phil G - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 08:27
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 08:27
The sole purpose of tyre rotation is to equalise tyre wear and get the maximum life out of a set of 4 or 5 tyres. The common issue being addressed is wear on the edges of the front tyres - usually the left front.
The "rearward cross" method (A on your diagram) is most effective because every tyre gets a turn at being on the left front. Likewise if the front right had an issue, then every tyre gets a turn to be right front.
For completeness, this is a diagram of Toyotas 5 tyre rotation from the current 70series handbook:
5 tyre rotation
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 12:26
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 12:26
Seems reasonable to me Phil. Was doing some doodling last night on the back of an envelope (literally) and the same result (for 4 tyres) is achieved by doing B (XX), then F to R swaps (no crossover), then another B. That means having to remember what part of the cycle you're on, so not much point.
Current tyres will only last one rotation and then I'll likely replace all 5. They'll be > 10 years old by then. The truck history is complicated - suffice to say it didn't get a whole lot of use early on.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: qldcamper - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 10:12
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 10:12
It makes no difference, just make sure you stick with which ever you pick for future rotations.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Andrew C11 - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 10:30
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 10:30
Here's some good information from Cooper Tyres, I printed out diagram D and keep it in my glove box so it's done the same each time.
Cooper Tyre Rotation
Cheers
Andy
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 12:36
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 12:36
Thx Andy. Will probably stick to D when I need new tyres.
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 13:08
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 13:08
Looks like everyone except Cooper Tyres likes my method. The important thing about each method is, which ever one you choose, keep to it and don't change horses mid stream.
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew C11 - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 15:12
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 15:12
Hey Peter,
My only issue with putting a spare to the front is if it's unbalanced etc, then you'll end up with a steering wheel vibration or it may shake in your hands. Where as if it's at the back you'll get a vibration in the car but to me isn't as bad that way compared to a poor driving experience.
I think as long as you're consistent with your approach, and rotating all five tires you should be good.
Cheers
Andy
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 15:42
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 15:42
How would you end up with an unbalanced tyre on the spare? Surely a tyre balance would be part of a repair or a replacement.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Gronk - Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 16:48
Tuesday, Jul 26, 2022 at 16:48
In the whole scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter too much…as long as the fronts go to rear every 10K ( or 5K…or 20K )
I actually measure the tread depth…the lowest goes to spare, and the rest get a look at as
well as a measure. The 2 worst ( depth or condition ) go to rear. This method nearly always ends up with a rotation from front to rear.
AnswerID:
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