Rotating Tires

Hi,

I have a 1997 Nissan Maxima w/FWD. I put 4 new Michelin tires on it in January 2002. This week I got a flat on the back driver side tire, and had to be replaced. The tires have about 22,000 miles on them.

While the car was there I asked the mechanic to rotate the tires. This is how they told me the tires were rotated.

The front driver’s side was put on the front passenger side and the front passenger side was put on the front driver’s side.

The back drivers side (the one that needed to be replaced) received the new tire and the back passenger side tire was not moved. The mechanic said it had to be done this way because the newest tire has to be on the back of the car.

Does this sound right? I didn't think tires were supposed to be rotated this way. I checked the Michelin site and they recommend front to back and back to front on opposite sides. But there was no mention about rotating with a new tire.

Thanks,
Maria

 

This is a tough call without seeing the tires.Tread wear patterns and tread depth.According to automotive engineers the best tires should be on the rear of the vehicle.So I think he was acting with his best judgement in your case.

 

Check the owner's manual---most times they have the suggested rotation pattern in there. I know my old GM manuals do.

Follow what Nissan wants.

 

I've read a few articles about tire rotation, and there are a lot of theories..For most front wheel drive cars, they recommend best tires on the front. But at the same time, the tires should be of equal condition (wear patterns, tread depth ect). Remeber the old days when manufacturers recommended a 5 tire rotation?? LOL! Try that now a days. Then they went to the "straight up, straight back" recommendations, Now, some cars are back to the "straight up, criss-cross back" theory..

MariaM, bottom line is, I'd have to agree that the mechanic did what he thought was best for you and your car at the time the tire was replaced..

 

Both my GM Owners man's say front to back, back to front, same side, then criss cross drive tires? I have rotated my tires just front to back for 20 years. Works for me.

 

Everyone seems to be missing the main point and that is, that one tire was replaced. You have 3 worn tires with 22,000 miles and 1 new tire. If you put the new tire on the front then the car is going to pull to one side because the new tire is larger than the other. It wouldn't make much as much difference on a rear wheel drive but on a front wheel drive it makes a lot of difference.

 

On a FWD car, I'd put the best two in the front, as the back wheels are kinda just along for the ride .

 

Thanks everyone! I'll check my owner's manual to see what it says.

I was a little nervous because I bought the tires at Sears and went back there to have the one tire replaced.

Maria