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TireDrop

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Which tire rotation pattern does your car need?

The right rotation pattern depends on which wheels drive the car, whether the tread is directional and whether all four tires are the same size. Pick yours to see the pattern as a diagram and a step list. Your owner's manual's schedule and pattern come first.

The tool

Try it

Tire rotation pattern

Pick your drivetrain and tire type, then watch where each tire goes.

Drivetrain
Tread type
Setup
Top view of a car with four tiresForward cross. Arrows show where each tire moves: Left front → Left rear; Right front → Right rear; Left rear → Right front; Right rear → Left front. The front of the car is at the top. The tires are shown where they start.FRONTLFRFLRRR

Showing: where each tire starts

Forward cross

Fronts go straight back. Rears cross to the front.

Where each tire goes

  • Left front → Left rear
  • Right front → Right rear
  • Left rear → Right front
  • Right rear → Left front

Typical interval: every 5,000–7,000 miles (TIA). Your owner's manual comes first.

Book a tire rotation

Sources: Tire Industry Association, Tire Rotation (opens in a new tab); Tire Rack, Best Way to Rotate Tires (opens in a new tab)

Text version of this demo

Shows the rotation pattern that fits a vehicle's drivetrain, tread type and tire setup (forward cross, rearward cross, X-pattern, front-to-back or side-to-side) as a diagram and a step list. TIA suggests rotating at a regular interval, and the owner's manual's schedule and pattern come first.

Step by step

How to use it

  1. Pick the drivetrain: front-wheel, rear-wheel, all-wheel or 4-wheel drive. The owner's manual says which you have.
  2. Pick the tread type. A directional tire has an arrow on the sidewall showing which way it rolls.
  3. Pick the setup: the same size all around, or staggered, with wider tires on the rear.
  4. Press “Show the move” to see where each tire ends up.

Questions

The things people ask next

How often should tires be rotated?

The Tire Industry Association suggests every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Your owner's manual's schedule comes first, and some vehicle makers set their own.

Can directional tires be rotated side to side?

Not on their own wheels. A directional tire is built to roll one way, so it moves front to back on the same side. Moving it to the other side means remounting it on the wheel.

How do you rotate staggered tires?

When the rear tires are wider than the fronts, they can't swap axles. Non-directional staggered tires can swap sides on the same axle. Staggered directional tires can't swap sides or axles without being remounted, so ask us about your setup.

Why rotate tires at all?

Tires in different positions wear at different rates. Rotating on a regular schedule spreads that wear across the set, so the four wear more evenly.

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