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Tire rotation so soon?

7.6K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  richard schumacher  
#1 ·
I had my oil changed and tires rotated at the 6 month mark in November '06, though I only had about 3700 miles on the odometer. To satisfy my tire warranty, I am supposed to have tires rotated every 5000 miles. Now I am just a couple hundred miles away from 5000. Does that mean I need to rotate tires again just to satisfy that costly warranty? Anybody know who to ask? Should I contact Toyota or the warranty company (bought at the dealer on day of purchase) or the dealer? Thanks for any help... :)
 
#5 ·
People use the odometer 'mile markers' because it is easier to remember, and most reach the mile limitation before the time limitation.
But the intervals are from the last time the particular work was done.

Oil changes every 5K or every 6 months from the last oil change, same with tire rotations.
 
#6 ·
To tire rotate or not to tire rotate? This is my question.

Danman. I have faithfully had my oil changes and tire rotation done. I recently took my 04 prius in for the 30k mile full service to a different Toyota dealer than usual and noticed they did not mark down the tire rotation on the service work they did. I asked about this and the guy told me they always put the tires with the most tred on the front. This bothered me but the work was done. If the tires were always rotated I would think the wear would be pretty even on all tires. What do you think?
 
#7 ·
It should be, but it also depends on how it is rotated. I am finding many centers are doing parallel rotations rather than cross rotations. So a problem could stay on one side, and quite possibly more on one tire, depending on the condition of the tire being able to tolerate the 'abuse' compared to the other one.

Point to consider: My mom was asking me if I knew of a place to get a reliable 4-wheel alignment. Her mechanic she likes and trusts informed her that Goodyear and I think Bridgestone are prone to get out of balance and become sensitive to alignment, and thus should be rotated every 3-4K. Michelins don't seem to have this problem and don't need rotations as frequent.
Her mechanic doesn't do alignments though, and the 2 shops he used to refer his clients to have lately been a hit or miss, so he no longer has a recommendation, which is why my mom asked me. I guess he never had to have any of his own cars aligned.
She thought of the body shop that I trust that's near me. I only used them for body work, and once for an oil leak problem that was spotted while body work was done.
I mentioned that I had a goodyear dealership check my alignment, and they goofed in reporting a bad front toe. The combined toe was dead-on zero, so either they got fooled by the dash and had the steering wheel off center, or the steering is indeed a bit off. One rear wheel though was off on one of the specs, but I decided to leave it alone.
 
#8 ·
I would guess it would depend on what make car you are speaking of. Tire rotations and wheel alignments were not even mentioned in my Chrysler Voyager or Cadillac owners manuals. I guess they rely upon visual indications by the owners. I use 20 t0 25,000 miles for the tire rotations and I can't ever remember a front end alignment.
The owners manual in the new Highlander, like the Prius specifies 5,000 mile intervals for tire rotations. Front end alignments aren't mentioned.
 
#9 ·
I've rotated mine every 16,000km/10,000mi.

All 4 tyres are wearing evenly (38/36 is the pressure if that matters).

Although, now I have one new tyre at 41,000km (earlier this month) b/c of a nail in the sidewall. Argh.

Can't replace all 4 cause there'still useable tread left.