Tyre Rotation

[2Stevo2]

What are your opinions on tyre rotation?

It is something I have never done but for no particular reason. Never got round to it to be honest.

I only ask as I notice a bit of wear on the fronts with the rears looking like new. Roughly done about 8k miles.

I assume theres no negatives to doing it? Forgive my ignorance.

 

[dronners]

it evens out the wear and makes your tyres last longer. funny enough i was reading the handbook earlier for something unrelated and seat were recommending tyre rotation.

 

[RADIOTWO]

Hi
I have always done that but a couple of things to think of, ideally you should swap from say front right to left rear etc, but with these tyres that are of a specific rotation, so might be just front to rear on the same side, but the other thing, is you will end up with four tyres that need changing at the same time, so the expense side of things but I always like a full set of tyres at once

 

[Woody_72]

I've never bothered due to the expense of buying 4 tyres at once.

 

[Stefan147]

I always change the full set of tyres so I rotate them every 8-10K km. It evens wear and makes them last longer.

 

[2Stevo2]

I've done a bit of research into it and to be honest, it has done nothing but confuse me.

In my head, to even out tyre wear, it would make sense to rotate all 4 tyres diagonally.

But everything online (for FWD cars) states to move the fronts straight back and rotate the rears diagonally forward.

And then the vehicles handbook suggests they should be simply swapped front to back on the same side.

I'm all ears from anyone who knows whats best or has opinions on this.

FYI they are Conti Sports so not directional tyres.

 

[SuperV8]

Depends on your tyres - if you have directional or asymmetric?
If directional (they would have an arrow on the side wall which must point forwards) then they must stay on the same side - so you would change front to back.
If asymmetric, then you can also swap left to right and front to back (so diagonal)

 

[2Stevo2]

Depends on your tyres - if you have directional or asymmetric?
If directional (they would have an arrow on the side wall which must point forwards) then they must stay on the same side - so you would change front to back.
If asymmetric, then you can also swap left to right and front to back (so diagonal)

Appreciate the reply but can I direct you to the last line in my post above yours.

 

[KXL]

Assuming new tyres would come with 7-8mm, probably best to rotate them when the fronts are down to about 5mm or more, all things equal at this time, the rears should probably would have extra 1 - 1.5mm thread. Usually this would also be around the 6-8k miles mark (exception is Cupra, as those eat tyres quicker). As the others said, actually this just means you would end up changing all 4 tyres together, which may be beneficial if you can get some discounts off a full set of same tyres. Do not leave it to late (mm wise) to swap fronts with rears, as ideally you would want sufficient grip still at the rears 5mm or more. This is because if you 'lose it' at the rear due to lack of grip, it would usually be more disastrous than if you 'lose it' at the fronts, as you can usually steer your way out of trouble. I would expect on a regular Leon the tyres (if rotated) should last at least 15k miles before going below 3mm.

Have a look here for tyre rotation:

How To Rotate Your Tyres For Best Wear | Goodyear Tyres

Read advice from Goodyear on the importance of rotating your tyres to maintain balanced handling and traction, and who can perform the task for you.

www.goodyear.eu

Tire Rotation: How and Why to Rotate Your Tires

www.bridgestonetire.com

I believe it would be best to just swap them on the same sides of the car. However do check if each axle is wearing evenly..

 

[RUM4MO]

On the cost issue due to swopping tyres around, I've always tried to be aware of when the tyres of my choice are being offered at a "good" price when buying 4 at a time, maybe that does not suit everyone, but many tyre places online and in physical tyre depots do offer good deals on a multi tyre purchase.

On my cars with "non sided" tyres, I always aim to end up with the tyres with the most tread on the front on FWD cars, but I change wheels/tyres twice a year Winter/Summer, so can easily "balance" up tyre wear, and if it saves me enough cash, buy tyres online and deliver the wheels and tyres to the local tyre fitter, so they don't get any blame for marking my car etc. (fussy b****rd)

 

[SuperV8]

Appreciate the reply but can I direct you to the last line in my post above yours.

Sure, I was just replying generally to your previous 5 lines about being confused and asking for opinions, and why there is a differing opinion.

 

[rafletcher]

I always change the full set of tyres so I rotate them every 8-10K km. It evens wear and makes them last longer.

No, it doesn’t make them last longer. You just end up buying 4 every second year instead of 2 every year. It’s still 4 tyres in 2 yeears.

 

[MATT RILEY]

Always swap front to back as the tyres go through a few heat cycles and bedin to that side of the car. If you swap diagonally you may find you will get much more tyre noise as they are rotating in the wrong direction.

 

[KXL]

No, it doesn’t make them last longer. You just end up buying 4 every second year instead of 2 every year. It’s still 4 tyres in 2 yeears.

I think it was meant as they would last longer on the car at a given time before needing to change any tyres. Reality is, the tyres probably would last 'same ish' mileage all things equal. For people like myself who lease cars, this method doesn't require me to change any tyres before returning the vehicle. Eg...I can not change tyres, but at the 15-16k mile mark, my fronts may be 2mm and rears are 5+mm, and I would get a fine (or need to change fronts at my own cost) as they are under the 3mm min return mark, or rotate the tyres and return them with all above 3mm, and save myself some money.

 

[Stefan147]

No, it doesn’t make them last longer. You just end up buying 4 every second year instead of 2 every year. It’s still 4 tyres in 2 yeears.

Right, lasting longer is probably more of a placebo effect. Still my ocd would go crazy if I had to change just two tyres. So it's better (for me) to get the max out of one full set than having to change 2 tyres every year.

 

[DigitalSushi]

I sort of rotate them

As it is usually the fronts I am replacing I tend to move the current rears to the fronts, stick the brand new tyres onto the rears

Once the fronts are goosed, rinse repeat.

 

[NotApplicable]

And all your careful management is buggered when you get a tyre wrecked by a raised drain cover (got the picture to prove) and you replace just the one......

 

[BoomerBoom]

I once returned home from having four new tyres fitted, only to hear a hissing as I exited the car. Turned out the rear outside had picked up a piece of flint, stuck right through the tread, so had to go straight back and purchase a fifth tyre - I was not a happy man.

As mentioned above, if you are careful with the right foot, then rotation can save you having to ever buy tyres for leased cars.

 

[CupraGeezer]

I sort of rotate them

As it is usually the fronts I am replacing I tend to move the current rears to the fronts, stick the brand new tyres onto the rears

Once the fronts are goosed, rinse repeat.

This is my practice too.

 

[DigitalSushi]

And all your careful management is buggered when you get a tyre wrecked by a raised drain cover (got the picture to prove) and you replace just the one......

We all know your pain...

Good old British roads.