All About AWD Tire Rotation – [Accurate Timing & Technique]
Regular tire rotation of an AWD (all-wheel drive) is the key for maintaining the optimal perforformace, uniform tread wear, and overall safety of the vehicle on the road.
After extensive research, we have compiled a bunch of compatible AWD tire rotation patterns along with easy steps to handle the process smoothly without spending a penny.
How to Rotate Tires of All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Vehicles?
REQUIRED TOOLS
- Heavy duty Jack
- Jack stands
- Lug or impact wrench
- Torque wrench
- Tire Wedges/wheel Chocks
- Safety gloves
PROCESS:
STEP NO 1: Park your AWD at a safe place, preferably a garage or a less crowded area like driveways, etc. Make sure the vehicle should be parked on a flat surface. Apply the parking or hand brake to ensure the vehicle doesn’t go anywhere.
STEP NO 2: Wear safety gloves and place Tire Wedges/Wheel Chocks on the opposite end of the AWD that you’re lifting.
STEP NO 3: Take a compatible lug or impact wrench and slightly loosen the lug nuts, don’t completely remove the tires at this point. Once the vehicle is raised it will be easy to remove the tires because of no opposite surface force.
STEP NO 4: Lift the side of the vehicle off the ground by using a heavy-duty jack. Refer to the Owner’s manual if you are confused about the exact placement of the jack.
STEP NO 5: Once the vehicle is in the air, secure it with jack stands, we recommend supporting the vehicle with at least two jack stands.
STEP NO 6: Remove the tires carefully.
STEP NO 7: Choose an appropriate tire rotation pattern as per the tire treads and type of the vehicle you own, We strongly advise consulting your user’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended tire rotation pattern.
STEP NO 8: Rotate the tires and place the lug nuts back, making sure to tight them perfectly, star or crisscross is the recommended pattern for tightening the lug nuts.
STEP NO 9: Carefully lower the vehicle by removing the jack stands, and apply some torque on the lug nuts to ensure they will not go anywhere during the drive.
STEP NO 10: Check the tire pressure with a tire gauge and adjust it.
Recommended Guide: 4×4 tire rotation
AWD Tire Rotation Patterns
Since all AWD vehicles are not the same, we can’t assign a universal tire rotation pattern for all. Different rotation patterns should be adopted as per the requirements.
Note: Refer to the user manual for a compatible tire rotation pattern
Tire Rotation Patterns for an AWD with Non -Directional Tires
There are two most common rotation patterns for non-direction AWDs.
1. Rearward Cross Pattern:
The rearward cross is the most preferred tire rotation pattern for an all-wheel drive vehicle with no spare tire.
Practical steps to do the rearward cross pattern tire rotation:
- Move both rear tires forward, so the rear left goes directly to the front left and the rear right goes to the front right.
- Now move the front tires to the back in the cross, The front right tire goes to the rear left and the front left goes to the rear right.
2. X-Pattern:
With X – Pattern each tire crosses the opposite side/opposite end of the vehicle.
Practical steps to do the X-Pattern tire rotation:
- Swap the Front right with the rear left and the front left with the rear right.
What Is the Best Tire Rotation Pattern for Non-Directional Tires?
The rearward cross is considered the best tire rotation pattern for the AWD vehicle, it ensures that every tire gets an equal chance of wearing down.
Tire Rotation Patterns for an AWD with Directional Tires
Because of the tread design of the directional tires, we can’t swap them cross, we only have the option to swap the same side of tires with each other i.e. rear left with the front left, and so on.
Below is the preferred tire rotation pattern for the direction AWDs.
Front to Rear Pattern:
Practical steps to do the Front to Rear tire rotation:
- Swap the Front right (FR) with the rear right (RR) and the front left (FL) with the rear left (RL), so the rear tires exactly go front and the front tires go rearward.
Tire Rotation Patterns for an AWD with Spare Tires
To prevent the set of tires from unevenly wearing down, matching spare tires should be included in the rotation pattern to ensure they will not go to waste.
I know spare tire is used often, still, if you want a balanced drive even with the spare tire, you have to choose a tire rotation pattern that includes the matching spare tire as well.
Rearward Cross 5-Tire Rotation Pattern:
This is the most preferable tire rotation method for heavy-duty all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles with matching spare tires.
Practical steps to do the Reward cross 5 – tire rotation:
- The spare tire replaces the rear right and the rear right goes to the front right.
- The front right replaces the rear left.
- The rear left replaces the front left and the front left goes in spare.
Tire Rotation Patterns Staggered All-Wheel Drive Tires
As the Staggered vehicles come with different-sized tires to get more traction, they can’t be swapped with front or rear axle, hence we only have the option to rotate them side by side.
Side-to-Side Pattern:
Practical steps to do the Side to Side tire rotation:
- The front right swapped with the front left and the rear right swapped with the rear left.
Do Tires Need to be Rotated on AWD?
Like FWD (front-wheel drive) and RWD (rear-wheel drive), AWD also needs regular tire rotation after a certain time frame to not only enhance the longevity of the tires but also the performance of the vehicle on the road.
Timely tire rotation keeps uniform tread wear leading to desired traction, greater fuel average, negligible blowouts, and costly repairs down the road.
What Happens if You Don’t Rotate Tires on Awd?
Skipping the tire rotation could wear the treads faster and provide an uneven surface leading to several consequences including.
- Poor traction.
- Hydroplaning.
- Heat buildups
- Excessive blowouts
- Cabin noise
- Decreased fuel efficiency.
- Void Warranty (Some tire warranties require regular rotation as part of their terms).
How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires in AWD?
Before rotating the tires make sure to skim the paperwork/user manual you got with the tires for making sure that the warranty is safe.
Typically an AWD requires tire rotation after 5,000 to 7,500 miles or once in 6 months depending on the driving style, driving condition, weight of the vehicle, etc. Before rotating the tires, refer to the owner’s manual for the exact time interval as per the type of vehicle you own.
Can I Rotate My Own Tires Awd?
Yes, tire rotation is a DIY-friendly process, however, you just have to follow some safety protocols, like you have to use 2 or more jack stands, your vehicle should have working parking breaks and it shouldn’t be too heavy to be handled. this guide will help you to rotate the tires of your AWD (all-wheel drive) without hiring a mechanic.
Recommended Guide: Dually tire rotation
Benefits of Rotating Tires on AWD
How Do You Rotate Tires on a Subaru AWD?
The tire rotation process of Subaru AWD is the same as others; however, you just have to read the user’s manual and select a compatible tire rotation pattern.
Verdict
Like other vehicles, AWD also needs tire rotations after a certain time for better performance and desired longevity.
Before starting the process, make sure to read the user’s manual and select the pattern suggested by the manufacturers, however as per our survey rearward cross works like a charm for an AWD with non-directional tires.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Rotate AWD Tires Front to Back?
Yes, if you have an AWD with a set of directional tires, you can go with the front and back tire rotation pattern, infect you will not have options to select other patterns because of the tread design.
Do Tires Wear Faster With AWD?
Yes, the tires of AWD wear down a bit faster as the AWD vehicles are a bit heavy and provide power to all 4 wheels when we need it; they rub the tires more compared to the FWD and RWD.
Which Tires Wear Down Faster in AWD?
Front tires wear down faster on an AWD because they handle the all-breaking system, weight, steering, etc. However the rear tires (attached to the rear axle) are being used only for off–roading, slippery roads, etc.