Tire Rotation Positions

[Hokiefyd]

I'm not really interested in getting into a debate on whether rotation is good or bad, but instead, why certain rotation styles are used. For instance, both my Dodge and Chrysler vehicles call for a modified cross pattern. Move the drive tires to the other axle, and cross the other tires either forward or backward.

But now I've owned two Toyotas, and both have recommended rotations only on the same side. Front to back, never crossing them. You'd think that directional wear patterns wouldn't get worn through this way, no? I always crossed them on my Corolla, and probably will on the Camry as well, but wondered why they'd specifically NOT recommend crossing the tires...

 

[SZR48207]

On your Toyotas, is it possible to get those vehicles with factory uni-directional tires? That would explain the swap on each side only.

I figure rotating the tires is useful on my truck, so I do it where I bring the front ones to the back while crossing them, and then bring the rear ones straight forward.

I would imagine, whether rotating tires is effective, depends on the vehicle and how it is driven (in addition to how the tire is made).

 

[Billbert]

It is usually best to use the rotation pattern recommended by the TIRE manufacturer. It will almost always be 'cross to drive'.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Billbert
It is usually best to use the rotation pattern recommended by the TIRE manufacturer. It will almost always be 'cross to drive'.



My thinking too. It would depend on tread pattern...

 

[FL_Rob]

Originally Posted By: Jason Adcock
I'm not really interested in getting into a debate on whether rotation is good or bad, but instead, why certain rotation styles are used. For instance, both my Dodge and Chrysler vehicles call for a modified cross pattern. Move the drive tires to the other axle, and cross the other tires either forward or backward.

But now I've owned two Toyotas, and both have recommended rotations only on the same side. Front to back, never crossing them. You'd think that directional wear patterns wouldn't get worn through this way, no? I always crossed them on my Corolla, and probably will on the Camry as well, but wondered why they'd specifically NOT recommend crossing the tires...

The tire shops around here SWEAR that crossing(reversing rotation)causes separated tread.They'll do it, but they promise you'll be back for new tires.They say front to back only,Science says it shouldn't matter,I dont know what to think.

 

[bepperb]

CapriRacer commented on this a year or two ago. IIRC the tires in use develop a sawtooth wear pattern which when changed in rotation direction can result in noise, so the advice is generally to reverse this when the tire is moved to a non-drive position.

Search for it, I don't do it justice.

I would assume the advice you're given is so they can have the option of directional tires. Toyota is big into having identical service for all it's vehicles, so if the MR2 gets directional tires Toyota's recommendation will be for all it's cars to rotate the new way. Similar to "oh, our 3.0 v6 has sludge issues?, ok, everything from the 1.8 to the 4.6 changes from 7500 to 5000 mile OCI".

 

[Hokiefyd]

I remember CapriRacer's suggestion that the drive tires should stay on the same side of the vehicle, if you do cross rotations, because that heel-and-toe pattern on the drive tires will create noise if flipped. I think the theory is that once the drive tires spend one rotation duration as "free wheeling" tires on the same side of the vehicle, most of that wear pattern will be gone before those tires are then flipped to the other side. I do remember that conversation.

You may be right that Toyota is preferring to consistify (did I just make that up?) their service procedures. Directional tires are not available on the Camry nor Corolla platforms, but both other's manuals still recommended same-side rotations only.

 

[double vanos]

First, let me put my flame suit on. ...
The reason for tire rotation is to even out the wear and extend tire life.
My wife's F150 Platinum weighs in at nearly 3 tons. Being a 4 wheel drive vehicle it also challenges the tires. Early on from new I noticed some mild cupping, probably from her driving it a half million miles per hour. I did the standard front to rear cross and it was OK, but still some wear. At 10k miles I did a front to rear double cross with all the tires going a different direction and that fixed the problem. Now this was with uni directional tires. Very pleased with this.
My 330ci has staggered wheel sizes so there'll be none of this front to back stuff; indeed, BMW recommends against tire rotating mostly because they're more than happy to replace your tires with some they just happen to have on hand ( over priced to be sure).
My car has Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires which are directional, kind of a "v" tread tire. I got sick of replacing the passenger side rear tire ( completely bald) when the driver's side tire was like new ( no posi). For the last 2 years I have been doing a side to side rotation every 5k miles, the tires stay on the same axle, but swap pass to driver and vice versa.
So every 5k miles my Bimmer has directional tires going the wrong way. The car drives fine and wear is significantly reduced. I've even driven the car long distances at high speeds with the tires going the wrong way with no trouble. The only caveat to this is when I'm in the reverse direction phase I take it easy in the rain. BMW's are costly enough without the tires getting into the picture and helps keep the costs down.
Waiting for the firestorm.....

 

[FL_Rob]

You're brave to do that on a BMW,of course if it works with no ill side effects then you've proven a point,especially with a 'directional' tread.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Article from Tirerack about directional tires mounted Correctly and Backward on dry and wet surfaces. They found it was very little differences of lap times on dry and wet surfaces between the two mounted tires, Correctly and Backward.

I just rotate directional stagger tires of '04 S2000 side to side, I did not feel any differences on dry surface at reasonable speed for both straight and connering.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=188&currentpage=180

 

[Hokiefyd]

The only reason why I'd really care to cross the tires is the front tires on most every vehicle I've owned will feather or sawtooth the very outer part of the tread shoulder. Like maybe the outside half inch. It's not really a big deal, but I know it's there. I like to keep that even (and after a while, it CAN start to make noise).

Now, most vehicles I've owned (including both of my Mopars) actually specify a slightly POSITIVE camber in the front. I'm not really sure why, but both do. Both Toyotas I've had (well, I know for sure on the Corolla, but it looks like the Camry does as well) specify slightly NEGATIVE camber in the front. The Corolla was actually very good for front tire wear. It'd slightly feather the edges of the front tires, but it wasn't bad at all. I probably could have gotten away with same-side rotations on that car. I may be able to with the Camry as well.

Maybe it's got as much to do with suspension settings as anything else...

 

[PandaBear]

First rule of tire rotation: if you rotate them often enough, it doesn't matter how or what style.

I'd imagine why Toyota only call for front to back has more to do with covering their behind in case someone did cross with directional tires and causes liability problem. It is not them who pay for additional expense with premature tire wear anyways, so why not do it in an idiot proof way?

Rotate with modified cross is better if you are doing it with spare tires and a jack because you only need to put on the spare once, instead of twice. To me that's the major benefit because I can finish it 20% faster.

 

[prax]

I remember asking Capri about this. Here's what he told me.

Quote:
I don't think car manufacturers pay much attention to what they recommend for rotation pattern. It's just not something they are concerned about.

However, rotation is important, and the pattern much, much less so. I recommend cross rotation, but ANY rotation is better than none.

 

[crinkles]

tyre cancer, a.k.a. as going around roundabouts/traffic circles, makes it absolutely essential for me to cross at each rotation. the passenger side will wear out 20% faster if not crossed (my guess of a number based on pair left on front till worn out)

my 05 camry shows to cross towards the drive axle.