How do I rotate my tires if I have 2 of 1 brand in the front and 2 of another in the back?

Question

Especially if someone on Y! Answers told me that I had to keep the 2 best tires on the front??

Answer 1

For the purposes of tire rotation as long as the pair of tires on each axle are the same brand/model and have the same amount of wear it doesn't matter if the front and the back pair are not the same. The matching tires always stay together on the same axle, whether they rotate to the front or back.

The problem comes when you have a mis-matched set on the same axle. Even two different models of tire from the same manufacturer on the same axle can cause issues. Just because they are the same size doesn't mean they are the same size. They come out of different molds and may even be manufactured in different ways which can cause small but noticable variations. If one is newer than another or if one wears faster than another that can also cause issues. A typical issue would be a "pull" if mis-matched tires are mounted on the front axle.

The purpose of tire rotation is to maintain even wear on all four tires. Of course to do this it helps to have them all match but sometimes this can't be helped.

In spite of what was previously posted by several people above, if there is a big discrepancy in treadwear between the tires on the front and the tires on the rear axle then the best tires should be mounted on the rear axle, irregardless of whether or not it is a front, rear or all-wheel-drive vehicle. This is scientifically proven to be the safest position. Whenever you are REPLACING only 2 TIRES they should be MOUNTED TO THE REAR AXLE. This is what EVERY MAJOR TIRE MANUFACTURER recommends. It is what the Rubber Manufacturers Association recommends. There is no debate or discussion on this matter. Michelin even went to the trouble of producing a video demonstrating why this is so which is available on their web site.

Answer 2

If the tires are all the same size, it doesn't matter what brand they are. Use the rotation method listed in the owner's manual for the car. If they have never been rotated and the tire wear doesn't match, put the best on the front. When they are worn down to match the rear, replace all 4.

Answer 3

if you have a front wheel drive car it is a good idea to keep the two best ones on the front,,but its not a have to situation,,if all the tires are the same size you can still rotate them,,you wont have the best ones on the front ,,but it don't hurt to drive it like this,,i have rotated a lot of them like this,,and it just keeps them wearing even,,good luck hope this help,s.

Answer 4

what they meant by "best tires" was that the tires with the most tread should be in the front, if it is a front wheel drive car, of course. if the tires with the most tread are already in the front, then you don't need to rotate them. but if they aren't, move the front tires to the back and vice-versa, switching from left to right. (example: the front left tire goes to the right rear, the right rear tire goes to the left front, etc.)

hope this helps.

Answer 5

Brands dont matter as long as they are the same size. When you rotate, you cross the two going to the drive axel and move the other 2 straight forward or back.

Been a tire dealer for over 40 years. TRUST ME.

Answer 6

The two in front go to the rear and the two in the rear go to the front. It's a good idea to keep your best tires up front for control reasons. If the rear tires are worn pretty bad I would leave the good ones up front. You don't HAVE to rotate tires.

Answer 7

on front wheel drive put the front tires on the back on the same side, cross the rear tires and take to the front. this way every tire eventually runs at every spot

Answer 8

they could change and rotate the tires a similar time they service the transmission in the journey that they placed 2 human beings on it. the full pastime might want to be performed in 15 minutes. it truly is slightly unusual merely getting 2 tires. area of the reason of rotating them is to get them to placed on out both. You do favor to get the transmission serviced each now and then, inspite of what some moron examine someplace. all of us who's ever considered the black crud in a one hundred twenty,000 mile previous tranny it truly is in no way been serviced is conscious that.

Answer 9

2 rear, switch sides and move front.
2 front, switch sides and move rear
Now this is what my daddy taught me, next time you buy new tires, buy 2, put them on the back.2 reasons for this, 1 they dont get the turn burn wear from beingin front, and most important if there is a defect in them and one blows out, better on the back than the front where control is affected.

Answer 10

ok so you only need to keep the 2 best tires on the front if your car is a front wheel drive and it doesnt matter what brand of tires you have as long as they are all the same size.