Some truck owners have no problem jacking up the vehicle and moving tires according to their schedule. Others may prefer to have the job done by a professional auto mechanic. Either way, most experts agree that vehicle owners should have their tires rotated after approximately 6,000 miles of use. Sometimes vehicle have this service done at the same time as other routine maintenance to consolidate visits to the auto repair shop.
The front tires on most passenger vehicles are under more stress than those on the rear. They are responsible for reacting to the steering system when the driver makes a turn. Every time the car changes direction, friction between the road and tire causes the tread to erode. Vehicle owners who have tires under warranty must document having this service done to ensure the warranty is valid.
The process of moving the tires provides the ideal opportunity to inspect the tread for signs of excessive wear that can lead to a leak or blowout. The mechanic should remove any rocks and other debris that is wedged between the treads. If a nail or screw has worked its way into the rubber, the mechanic can usually remove the foreign object and patch the hole without a need for replacing the tire.
Drivers will notice a difference in handling characteristics if the tires are not wearing at the same rate. The vehicle may pull to one side or the other when driving in a straight line. Sometimes rubber loses traction as the vehicle maneuvers around a corner. The driver may notice that the vehicle is no longer reacting immediately to the steering wheel when it moves.
The rearward cross pattern is recommended for rear wheel drive vehicles. This means the left front moves to the right rear and the right front moves to the left rear. The rear tires move forward but remain on their original side.
The forward cross pattern should be used for front wheel drive vehicles and is basically the opposite of the rearward cross. For this pattern, the left rear goes on the right front and the right rear goes on the left front. The front tires move to the rear on the same side where they were.
The x-pattern is suitable for all vehicles and is an acceptable alternative to both the rearward and forward cross patterns. This pattern involves swapping the right front with the left rear. The pattern is completed by swapping the left front with the right rear.
Rotating tires requires just a few basic tools. With a floor jack, a standard four-way lug wrench and four jack stands, anyone can rotate tires as long as they have a flat solid surface to work on. It is safer to loosen the lug nuts before lifting the vehicle into the air. Anyone who is uncomfortable doing this job can have a service professional do it for an affordable price.
The ultimate goal is to have the tires wear at the same rate so the owner can replace them all at the same time. Uneven wear causes the treads to wear out faster than they normally would and forces the owner to buy replacements much sooner. In extreme cases, failure to rotate the tires can cause the wheel to become stuck on the housing due to rust buildup. When this happens, it will be necessary to call a car service with access to special tools to remove the wheel.
Truck owners should also take care not to strip the lug nuts. Once they are stripped, the soft metal can rust and break off under excess pressure. To avoid this problem, always replace lug nuts by hand and twist until they are hand tight before applying a wrench or air gun to finish the job.
Regular tire rotation is just one thing truck owners can do to extend the life of their vehicle and tires. Preventive maintenance provided according to the manufacturer's recommendation will keep all warranties intact and reduce the risk of the vehicle breaking down on the road in the middle of nowhere. Many tire retailers offer service contracts that include routine rotation to help customers monitor and meet their maintenance schedule.
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