Tire Rotation
Extend the life of your tires by regularly rotating them in order to prevent accelerated tread wear. Tire rotation simply means removing the tire and then placing it in a different location such that the wheels in front are transferred to the rear and the wheels at the back are transferred to the front. It is good to establish the habit of rotating tires every 6,000 miles or when significant wear is evident after a thorough inspection of the vehicle.
Removing the Wheels
Before removing the wheels you have to figure out which tire goes where. Keep in mind that the front wheels will show more signs of wear and tear because these tires turn at an angle when you are steering the vehicle. In addition, the weight of the car is carried forward when you apply the brakes, adding more pressure to the rubber component that is contact with the pavement. In contrast, your rear tires lasts much longer.
Based on the knowledge that front wheels receive the brunt of the abuse while rear tires experience less deterioration, the front tires must go to the back and mount it on the same side of the car. In order to allow the tires to wear more evenly the tires at the back are transferred to the front but mounted on the opposite sides of the vehicle.
Use appropriate floor jacks and car ramps or jack stands to prevent accidents in the work area. Never use the floor jack that comes with your car; you have to acquire a hydraulic floor jack for this type of maintenance job. Avoid confusion when rotating tires. Use a tire crayon to mark the tires and so you will know the original position they were in.
In old maintenance manuals, experts recommend the use of the spare tire in the trunk of your car. However, this is no longer a practical advice when it comes to newer models. In recent years car manufacturers designed the spare tire to be light, compact and not intended for long driving. These types of spare tire are designed to simply get the vehicle to the nearest repair shop in the event of a flat tire and other related problems.
Improve Tire Performance
Most drivers do not pay careful attention to their tires. It is easy to ignore something that looks sturdy and reliable. Thus, when rotating tires, it is also the best time to carefully inspect the tires before these are bolted in place. Remove the tire from the rim and look inside for cuts, carcass damage and foreign objects that could be the root cause of accidents. Check the wheel rim for cracks and dents. Never mount a defective tire because this could result in injury or death of the driver and the occupants of the vehicle.
Regular tire rotation prevents excessive tread wear. It lengthens the lifespan of the tire, ensures safety while driving and at the end you save money because you do not have to replace your tires more often.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyres
