What is the Proper Tire Rotation Pattern?

What Tire Rotation Pattern Should You Use?

When rotating tires, you can’t just move them in random order; there are actually a few different patterns you should choose from when performing this kind of maintenance:

• 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 patter that’s also well-suited for front-wheel drive vehicles.
• Rearward Cross: With the rearward cross pattern, this is basically 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 with a one-way pattern are made specifically for a single side of a vehicle, and should only be placed on either the right or left side of a vehicle. You can find out if your tire is directional, and which side it should go on, thanks to an arrow or triangle that can be found on the tire’s sidewall that will indicate which direction the wheel should turn. Well, what tire rotation pattern should you use for directional vs. non-directional tires? Find out below:

• 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!

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