Rotating the Tires on a BMW

Posted by Anthony Wessal on December 9th, 2017

Tire rotation is an important maintenance task that can extend tire life and keep drivers safe on the road. Whether planning to do the job at home, or having it done by a professional, it is important to know why tires should be rotated regularly. Below is a brief explanation of the tire rotation process.

Different Wear Patterns On Rear And Front Tires

Every time the steering wheel of a BMW Greensboro NC is turned, pressure is applied to the front tires. Resistance brings about friction, which produces heat. Front tires wear faster than rear tires do, and to compensate it's necessary to rotate the tires from front to rear several times during their lifespan. As tires age, wear patterns develop, and some are caused by alignment and suspension components. If a car has rear and front tires of different sizes, they can only be swapped side to side. If tires are unidirectional or asymmetrical, they can only be rotated front to back, every 10,000 miles.

Ready For Rotation

With the car parked on level ground and the parking brake set, or with the vehicle on a lift, the lug nuts will be loosened. Following that, the front and rear tires are removed and tread pattern is inspected. Tread patterns have built-in wear indicators, and inspection can tell your tire service pro how close the tire is to requiring replacement.

Finishing Up

If no tires are to be replaced, the rear tires are mounted on the front of the vehicle, while the front tires are mounted on the rear. The lug nuts are typically finger-tightened before being secured with a torque or impact wrench. The BMW Greensboro NC is lowered and its full weight is used to ensure that the lug nuts are sufficiently tight.

When rotating tires, the lug nuts should be tightened in a certain sequence, working nuts diagonal from one another. The quick and simple nature of a tire rotation will extend tread life, and it will give your vehicle the maximum amount of traction. Tires should be rotated every 5,000-10,000 miles; drivers should check the vehicle's manual for recommendations.