What is the Proper Tire Rotation Pattern?

Each vehicle is different, yet requires a lot of the same services that you need to keep up with to ensure your vehicle runs as smoothly as possible, and one component is tire rotation. While this is a simple process that needs to be done every six months or 6,000 miles, if not completed regularly, it can decrease the lifespan of your tires. Learn more about proper tire rotation with Allen Samuels Chevrolet GMC!

How to Rotate Tires

With a tire rotation, your vehicle’s tires are shifted from front to back and vice versa, so that your tires all get a similar distribution of wear and tear over time. If you’re planning on completing this service on your own, you’ll want to ensure you do it properly. So, what is the proper tire rotation pattern? Let us at Allen Samuels Chevrolet GMC help with our guide on tire rotation.

What Tire Rotation Pattern Should You Use?

When rotating tires, you’ll need to know which pattern to use on your model. There are a few different patterns you should choose from when performing this kind of maintenance. These include:

• Forward Cross: With this common and best option for front-wheel drive vehicles, you take the front tires and bring them back, and bring the back tires forward. When doing this, though, be sure to take the rear left tire and put it on the front right side, and bring the right rear tire forward to the left front side. The front tires that move back can stay on their respective sides.
• X-Pattern: This tire rotation pattern is similar to the forward cross, except you take the front tires and switch sides when bringing them to the rear, as well. This is a pattern that’s also well-suited for front-wheel drive vehicles.
• Rearward Cross: With the rearward cross pattern, this is the opposite of the forward cross, and best suited for rear- and four-wheel drive vehicles. For this pattern, you would bring the front tires to the rear and the rear to the front, all the while switching sides of the front tires when bringing them back. So, the front right tire now becomes the left rear tire, and the left front tire becomes the right rear tire. Just like the forward cross pattern, you need not switch sides for the rear tires that move forward.

Directional vs. Non-Directional Tires

Before you go and rotate your tires, it’s important to know whether or not your tires are directional. Tires that are made with a one-way pattern are made specifically for either the left or right side of a vehicle. Thanks to the arrow or triangle marking on the tire’s sidewall, you can determine which side of the vehicle the tire is meant for as well as which direction the wheel should turn. Well, what tire rotation pattern should you use for directional vs. non-directional tires? Check out your options:

• Directional Tires: If you have directional tires, then swap the front right tire with the rear right tire, and the front left tire with the rear left tire.
• Non-Directional Tires: As for non-directional tires, you can swap your tires in any direction and leave them on any side. With non-directional tires, you may want to use the X-pattern for the best results!

Learn More with Allen Samuels Chevrolet GMC in Hearne!

After learning the proper tire rotation pattern for your model, you can easily switch up your tires and get back on College Station roads in no time. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our service department to schedule a service appointment. Contact Allen Samuels Chevrolet GMC in the meantime if you have any questions.