If you have staggered directional tires, you won’t be able to properly rotate your tires unless you remove them from the rim and switch the sides they’re on. If you aren’t able to remove the tires, then take your vehicle into a mechanic to see if you need to replace them.
If you have a rear wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle, then move the back right tire to the front right and the rear left tire to the front left. Move the front right tire to the back left. Use your spare tire for the rear right side. Keep the old front left tire as your new spare.
If the place where you parked isn’t level, block the tires with wheel chocks to keep your vehicle from rolling. Don’t remove the lug nuts completely yet since the tires could slip off your vehicle and cause damage. If you need to remove a stuck tire, try knocking it loose by tapping a piece of scrap wood against the side of the tire with a hammer.
Check your vehicle’s manual to find the proper jack points if you have trouble finding them on your own. Avoid trying to rotate your tires while your vehicle is on the jack since it could easily slip off, which could lead to damage or injury.
Keep the lug nuts in a small bowl so you don’t misplace them.
When in doubt, check your vehicle’s manual for the proper tire rotation pattern to use.
Don’t screw the nuts in completely just yet since you could over-tighten them by accident.
Each vehicle has different torque requirements, so check the manual to know what you need.
Rotate your tires every 5,000–8,000 miles (8,000–12,900 km) to prevent uneven wear.
