It’s that time again... Time to rotate those tires to ensure good even wear to get maximum mileage out of those manufactured chunks of rubber. Those things aren’t cheep so we want to get the best bang for our buck. Buying new tires can cause you to dig deep into your pockets and having a tire company rotate them can cost you also. Even though some places offer free rotation it takes time. Time to schedule an appointment, then you wait a day or so, bring the car in. Hopefully a few hours later your car is done. In the mean time your sitting in the waiting room using up your smartphone battery. Or... Maybe you have a ride so you Head back home or venture out to do an activity. Either way, you need your  ride back so you can do what you need to do. Have that freedom of driving wherever you want. 
 I’ve never had a tire rotation at any major tire shop take less than 1-1.5 hours. Granted I don’t go to these places very often because I am a total DIY type of guy. If I can save money and save time....I am all over it... 100%
# <center>DIY Tire Rotation</center>
![F941E54D-82C4-424D-8EE9-DA71E9840442.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaqjubnNViquqbFAnWs6gjSf6KYGFrejNt2obKZ7G4UFL/F941E54D-82C4-424D-8EE9-DA71E9840442.jpeg)
Ok so I have a little unfair advantage in this instance because I have a shop at work that I can use. I mean a big shop!!! Like 2 acres kind of big. Besides having an indoor space it also has a ton of tools. 
Yet I have also done this a bunch of times right in the driveway or on the street. So I have experience in both areas. From having every tool imaginable to dealing with what you got laying around. 
## <center>Tools and Supplies Needed</center>
<center>![6F48C593-0423-4401-814E-68D9E13CA048.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQ7QfBXni2CbGGPFEZ4E2tr2i79rTjWwUR77qsdjJenzL/6F48C593-0423-4401-814E-68D9E13CA048.jpeg)
[Star Wrench or 4-Way Lug Wrench $20](https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200347645_200347645?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Automotive%20%3E%20Tire%20Equipment%20%3E%20Lug%20Wrenches&utm_campaign=Ken-Tool&utm_content=135630&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxvbdBRC0ARIsAKmec9ZER_TNbIx7V8xqMi276qcTJP3M8Y-hRd9DR14XokLaTmfntJhwqMUaAhjBEALw_wcB)</center>
This tool is to loosen and tighten the lug nuts. These are great for getting a good amount of leverage to ensure that those lug nuts don’t fly off while you doing 100 mph running from the cops....Wait...Running from..uh wait hold up let me rephrase that.  *While you are on a road trip to your family vacation singing Kumbaya.* You wouldn’t want one of these tires flying off now would you?
<center>![FF36F33D-373F-437D-B6A9-1F0726313EAC.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmeYU5zuvHpjvh3HfFb3pocCqZVoCJEt2fSJgbYkocLu3Q/FF36F33D-373F-437D-B6A9-1F0726313EAC.jpeg)
[Floor Jack with Jack Stands $40](https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/autocraft-2-ton-trolley-jack-with-2-ton-jack-stands-combination-ac925/9040048-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=9040048-P&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6fvdBRCbARIsABGZ-vTbdudMM9mlEnJbS3352BrqfLgCIOIsgv4NIpxw6yVYEWQgalL72HAaAh01EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=COXWqJS8_t0CFWgDrQYdnLID1w)</center>
This will be used to lift the vehicle just high enough to get the tires to clear the ground. That jack stands will be used to support the front half of the vehicle while you use the Jack to work the last 2 tires. We will go into depth about that later.  So for around $60 you can rotate your own tires whenever you want.  Saving you time and money in the long run.

Granted the tools I will be using are slightly different but I have done it many times with the tools stated above. The process of rotating tires is actually a simple process and just requires a small bit of strategy. 
 ## <center>Let’s Get Started</center>
First thing you should consider is getting the vehicle to a relatively flat surface. Parking on a slopes driveway is not a good idea at all!! You could end up chasing your car down the road...
<center>![FF92D9CA-7E60-4A77-B08C-5A73EEFECA46.gif](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP18SxBUxqaCQgEQuHRLUAmtFoFE8FZaEffU49C3TcGBN/FF92D9CA-7E60-4A77-B08C-5A73EEFECA46.gif)
<sub>[Source](https://goo.gl/images/ECHBAU)</sub>
Or causing serious injury to yourself and damage to your car.</center>

Once you have the vehicle on a decently level surface set the parking brake. This will lock the rear tires not allowing them to move. 
![C7A57066-6D42-40AD-831B-6E8A5C6486E2.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmU1B1Wwr8yYNohAsUEYXKJKdPc6R8SbHjcDo3VoF169bj/C7A57066-6D42-40AD-831B-6E8A5C6486E2.jpeg)
As a secondary precaution place a brick or chunk of wood behind the tire. If your not sure which side to place it, get 2 and wheel chock both sides of the tire. Better safe than sorry. 
Now before lost the car, take you wrench and crack all the lug nuts loose. Just a 1/4 to half turn is all. It may take a bit of force or a couple whacks with a mallet. 
### <center>Lifting the Vehicle</center> ###
Take a quick peak in your owner’s manual or do a search online and see what direction the manufacturer recommends that you rotate the tires. Here is what line says for my 2005 Lincoln Navigator 4x4
![57914CC3-17EF-4F0D-9499-21CBAB0C373F.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVyB76rTV2g3aWsdRKByCXiV2jgpQFYxYXaezhzkTbYci/57914CC3-17EF-4F0D-9499-21CBAB0C373F.jpeg)
So both of the rear tires move straight to the front and the fronts cross and go to the rear. So basically you need 3 tires in the air at any given point to make this tire rotation possible. Place the floor jack under the front of the vehicle right in the center. Make sure to use a part of the frame or axle to place the jack under. Lift just enough to get the tires slightly off the ground. Then utilizing the jack stands, support the front of the vehicle. Place a jack stand on each side of your floor jack then slowly release and lower your floor jack down and out of the way. 
Now the front of the vehicle is completely supported by the jack stands and your floor jack is free to move around. 
I, on the other hand have a forklift which works great for this. Just imagine each fork of the forklift as a jack stand. 
![E3A77B80-FB5D-451A-AB01-EF2AE7735C08.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWt7kn3MJZe1ZibX6pREA7cgkXXMo9odjMZbzh2EQ5jVE/E3A77B80-FB5D-451A-AB01-EF2AE7735C08.jpeg)
The reason I lifted the front and not the rear is because when applying the parking brake it locks the rear tires. With the rear tires still bearing the weight of the vehicle, it can’t or should I say, shouldn’t roll anywhere. 
Now take your floor jack to inside of one of the rear tires and lift the vehicle just enough to get the tire slightly off the ground. 
![48F72740-A74F-47F6-9110-33E110CEA1A4.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRMbrzGR1R9SbTNX77vF1amVLDL9gbKc8sitmpMpNjjW5/48F72740-A74F-47F6-9110-33E110CEA1A4.jpeg)
Now we can start swapping tires around. With 3 tires in the air and one still contacting the ground we can utilize the parking brake and the blocks placed on either side of that tire. 
I’m going to be using and air impact gun to remove the lug nuts from the front tires. 
![5AABB839-349D-495E-8E73-17870823DA2B.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUqgHmW2xHUteCEqhLxNBi2VVWBfJhSywhb1bTupz7D5a/5AABB839-349D-495E-8E73-17870823DA2B.jpeg)
<center>I know I know I cheated but hey, I am just using my resources is all.</center>
![08E343D4-1043-467E-8581-4F1492262406.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSdnuv9P6gby5YhiSvMWCB1t4wvvAAUeDdistR3JATisf/08E343D4-1043-467E-8581-4F1492262406.jpeg)
After removing the lug nuts and pulling the tires off of the front of the car, take the tires to their new locations on the car and lay them down. This is just a simple way to keep things organized and to ensure that they are rotated properly. 
<center>![E1F91526-ECE6-4FD4-8029-C424D3D081D4.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUvnYSWpxs7jf8WL7iAm1xmYFPJ8rxTMF1QaH7EyE2AvU/E1F91526-ECE6-4FD4-8029-C424D3D081D4.jpeg)</center>
Now remove the rear tire that is supported by your floor jack and move it to the front and install it. 
![F188F180-1F81-4C35-A632-EE1BB54CD537.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQF4J6xkX6EAUAXxyDRPhyNV1LTLoWYVwmfiWmLQigsmm/F188F180-1F81-4C35-A632-EE1BB54CD537.jpeg)
Get all the lug nuts finger tight or snugged up. Then tighten them down in a *Star* like pattern or if you have 4 lug wheels tighten one then tighten the one opposite the one you just tightened
![0D0FA55F-2837-42DC-AB05-0DD6C4AF6ACE.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZ7m3rL1Gg5SNKsWKGbyVZSok5brs1JKtCN83SZ1VXWAk/0D0FA55F-2837-42DC-AB05-0DD6C4AF6ACE.jpeg)
The idea is to create even pressure all the way around the rim. I normally tighten them all up a little at a time until I can’t turn them anymore. Then get out the torque wrench and torque them down. 
![E72A340C-B04D-4E13-B047-4CCB95C33584.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNNkqu5rXyXBd6pnwuQp2qH2CuKdmXVr2S6b4Tbshkh6J/E72A340C-B04D-4E13-B047-4CCB95C33584.jpeg)
You should be able to find the torque specs in your owner’s manual or online. If you don’t have a torque wrench, use the star wrench. With it on one lug nut position the the star wrench so the left and right bars are parallel to the ground. Pushing down on one side and pulling up on the other will give you plenty of torque. 

So now you have one side of the vehicle completed and need to get those last 2 tires swapped around. Simply move the jack to the other rear tire and repeat the process. Then remove the floor jack from the rear and place it under the front of the vehicle. Jack the front of the vehicle up to remove the jack stands, then lower gently to the ground. Shoot while your there might as well check your tire pressure and make sure they are inflated properly. I would recommend after a day or two double check the lug nuts to make sure they are tight. 

This typically takes around 45 minutes when I do it at my house without air tools and without a forklift. This time it took me 1/2 hour and I was taking photos and just taking my time. So why does it take so long at the tire shops??? I have no clue other than the fact that they do a lot of “inspecting” of the components of the vehicle.

This project isn’t a difficult project by any means but does require the purchase of a few tools. It is just another way to save you some time and money in the future. 
<center>Thanks for stopping by for another DIY project
## Tire Rotation</center>
<center>Until next time...
![FB4A8F6C-B849-4174-8FF3-2643D928C75C.gif](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNTPfuaVpMxr6b89mxsMs1KZaYvibeZqT43VnNvJztjWM/FB4A8F6C-B849-4174-8FF3-2643D928C75C.gif)
Steem On
<sub>[Weku Post](https://deals.weku.io/community-deals/@splatts/diy-tire-rotation-diy)</sub></center>