Tire Rotation pattern?

[otis24]

2000 Silverado 4WD extended cab. Had upper and lower control arms and one ball joint replaced. Replaced front hubs (bad bearings). Vehicle was aligned.

Left front tire is worn more than the others. Then the right front tire. Rear tires have pretty even tread but inner edges are cupped from being on the front prior to the repairs but and before the alignment.

Not sure when the front tires began to wear.

In any event, thinking of rotating rear tires straight forward. Should I move front tires straight back or cross them over?

 

[Rand]

the regular rotation pattern for RWD is back tires to front.. Front tires crossed to back

Tirerack has this handy diagram.

 

[CapriRacer]

It doesn't matter. The new wear pattern is going to be put on top of whatever is already there.

 

[ka9mnx]

Rears straight forward and fronts crossed. Have done this for all vehicles regardless of drive type.

 

[rstcso]

Rears straight forward and fronts crossed. Have done this for all vehicles regardless of drive type.

^^^This, unless the tires are directional, then same sides front-to-back and back-to-front.

 

[barkingspider]

I usually do pattern A (above) on my front wheel drive cars and 4x4 truck

 

[ripcord]

I've never done anything but swap front to back.

 

[Dborch41]

I've never done anything but swap front to back.

Likewise, and it's always worked.

I think just doing the rotation regularly is more important than the technique. Much like oil changes, the specifics are not as important as just making sure it gets done.

 

[Sumboodie]

My tires usually age out and dry rot before needing a rotation.

I try to buy 1 axle at a time vs all 6, stings the wallet a bit less

 

[NissanGuy91]

X pattern to promote even wear on the leading edge of the tread

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Always just did front to back. The main thing is that it gets done, or you'll end up with 8 yr old rear tires with plenty of meat, but they'll be dry rotted. So they will be garbage. Something is better than nothing. Now, if you have a dual rear axle, that's a whole different problem. Something I wouldn't want to even imagine where to start on that.

 

[z71bill]

Well since you already have uneven wear -- the "rules" go out the window.

Swap them front to back - back to front on the same side -

Then next time you rotate - I will assume the tire that was on the left front and is now on the left rear is still a little more worn than the others - so leave it on the left rear - or put it on the right rear.

Pick the best two out of the other three and put them in the front - whatever is left goes on the rear whatever slot is open.

Front usually wears faster - so put the most tread there.

This assumes your tires all have decent tread - like 7/32 or more.

If two tires are at 6/32 and two are at 3/32 then common rule is the tires with the least tread go on the front.

 

[Eddie]

The owners manual is a first read IMO. Ed

 

[z71bill]

I think all the vehicles I drive - the front passenger side tire wears slightly faster than the others - the outside edge showing the most wear.

I came up with a theory - but I could be chasing butterflies.

I think on average - I drive faster while making left hand turns that I do right hand turns.

Come up to an intersection - if going to the right it will be a sharper turn so I have to slow down - but if going to the left it has a larger arc so I can go faster.

Taking left turns faster makes the weight shift to the left side putting more weight on that front tire.

 

[leeharvey418]

I could be chasing butterflies.

I think you are. Most of your cornering wear is going to come from your tread deforming and then springing back as it rotates through the contact patch. The amount of deformation is going to be a function of slip angle, which will generally be higher in tight, right-hand turns. Your lateral acceleration and consequent weight transfer probably isn’t a whole lot different in either direction - you just notice it more on sustained left-hand sweepers.

You probably see more wear on the right side because normal road camber will tip your vehicle slightly to that side.

 

[FZ1]

I think all the vehicles I drive - the front passenger side tire wears slightly faster than the others - the outside edge showing the most wear.

I came up with a theory - but I could be chasing butterflies.

I think on average - I drive faster while making left hand turns that I do right hand turns.

Come up to an intersection - if going to the right it will be a sharper turn so I have to slow down - but if going to the left it has a larger arc so I can go faster.

Taking left turns faster makes the weight shift to the left side putting more weight on that front tire.

You gotta get less weight in that passenger seat.