How often do YOU rotate your tires?

[JH32552]

Okay guys.....

I just purchased 4 new tires for my '94 Camry. The tires that were replaced had approx 68,000 miles on them and still had quite a bit of tread left. However, since they were 8 years old, they had some cracking going on between the treads and didn't seem to be safe. When I purchased the tires eight years ago, I immediately had a four wheel alignment done. Anyway, in the 8 years and 68k, the tires were only rotated twice, and the guys that took them off didn't believe me because the tires were worn so evenly. They told me that you should rotate tires every 6 to 8,000 miles. Is this true? How often do you rotate yours, and how do you do it; front to back or diagonally?

Thanks :-)
Jackie

[Mike Gerber]

I rotate my tires in that same 6000-8000 mile range. I just rotate them front to back. Your car's owner's manual should have a rotation pattern in it.

68000 miles on the old tires is pretty impressive. What brand, model and speed rating were these tires?

Mike

[RIP]

Every other oil change which turns out to be every 10K miles. If I notice any evidense of cupping or any uneven wear I rotate every oil change. In my young and dumb days I would rarely rotate them and like you sometimes it wasn't a problem and other times I paid the price. Rotating is just cheap insurance to get the most out of your tires.

[Brian R.]

I rotate every 15k miles or so. I don't put a big emphasis on this as long as the tires are not wearing unevenly between front and back. No matter what the owner's manual says, I just rotate front to back to make it managable for myself.

[JH32552]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

68000 miles on the old tires is pretty impressive. What brand, model and speed rating were these tires?

Mike

Hey Mike,

I got the 68k tires at Sam's Club. They were Goodyear Allegra's, and I will have to get the paperwork out of the car for the speed rating. (I can't do that right now 'cause I'm having back spasms... UGH!)

I really liked those tires!

Did anyone notice that the 4 replies to this post were from members that all joined in 2004? ( I'm NOT a newbie!)
Jackie

[topanido]

Translationally and rotationally

[Ducaire]

I don't rotate my tires enough. I've went thru 5 oil changes so far and haven't had anything done to them.

[JH32552]

The reason I asked this question is:

I also have a 2002 Corolla. When I purchased the car, about 2 years ago, they installed two rear struts because of my noise complaints. Approximately 10 months later, I was having the same noise and vibration in the rear of the car. I took it back and they said I didn't rotate the tires properly. However, with no charge to me, they "said" they installed another set of rear struts and did the strut mounts this time as well. On top of that they replaced the rear tires again. Well, 18,000 miles later, same deal..... tires slapping the road and driving me crazy. They were rotated once in the 18,000 miles, because I run snows in the front in the winter, rotations are hard to do. Bottom line, should tires wear out like that in only in 18,000 miles?

I took the car to have a 4 wheel alignment done because I just bought 4 new tires, and I hope to get a little better mileage out of them. I thought for sure the thing was way out of alignment, especially in the rear. Wrong! They even gave me a computer print out... the alignment is within specs.

What else can be wrong??????

Jackie

[RIP]

Free tire rotations are pretty much a standard anytime you buy a set of tires these days. Saves wear and tear on the back. What tread wear pattern did your Corolla tires have? http://www.procarcare.com/includes/c...dtirewear.html

[JH32552]

My neighbor also has a Corolla. She recently purchased tires at our local Mobil garage and her car has no vibration what so ever. So, yesterday, I brought her car to my garage and was going to swap out the rear tires just to see if it was a balancing problem. I took my right rear tire off and noticed there were no weights. Hhhhhhhmmmmm???? So, I took just one of the neighbors tires and put it on my car in the place of the "weightless" tire. I went for a ride, and BINGO.... I would say most of the vibration was gone!!!!! I called the local garage and scheduled an appointment for rebalancing all 4 tires. I'm not taking any chances, and I figure the price will be worth getting a better ride and better mileage out of my tires. (I should have known the kids at Sam's Club were slackers when I saw the wheel covers just installed anyway.. without lining up the valve stem slots! UGH!)

Jackie

[Mike Gerber]

Jackie,

I too have had a few problems with tires I bought at Sam's Club. I would take the car back to Sam's Club if it's close enough and let them know of your displeasure. Tell them of your experiment and your findings. Assuming you got their tire package including balancing, you already paid them for the balancing. Why pay someone else to redo it. If they give you a hard time ask to see the store manager.

Mike

[JH32552]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Jackie,

I too have had a few problems with tires I bought at Sam's Club. I would take the car back to Sam's Club if it's close enough and let them know of your displeasure. Tell them of your experiment and your findings. Assuming you got their tire package including balancing, you already paid them for the balancing. Why pay someone else to redo it. If they give you a hard time ask to see the store manager.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply. I considered taking the car back to Sam's. However, to save time I chose the local garage to rebalance the tires for several reasons. I know the guys at the local garage, and they know what they are doing. Secondly, it's 28 miles closer, and I could make an appointment, rather than wait my turn. (The added benefit of not getting my blood pressure to go through the roof fighting with Sams!)

Sometimes men don't seem to understand how difficult it is for a woman to deal with men about "men's things," ie. car repair, electrical problems, carpentry, etc. The funny thing is, I probably know more than most men about this kind of thing and am tired of getting talked down to, by these young punks.

I think you guys here on the forum know me by now, and I do know a little bit about this stuff, right? LOL! Hell, I grew up in my Dad's garage!

Sorry about Bitching

B = being
I = in
T = total
C = control of
H = herself

You guys ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jackie

[Mike Gerber]

Jackie,

I understand. 28 miles is pretty far. Luckily I'm only a couple of miles away form our local Sam's Club, so it wasn't that difficult for me to go back there and yell at them a bit. Our local Sam's doesn't only have teenagers working there, they have some older technicians, but they are just as incompetent. Let us know how it works out.

Mike