I was wondering if I should rotate in my spare or just roll with the modified "x" pattern. It seems like everyone that sells their tires has 4 used and 1 new spare??
Advice please!

 

It's up to the individual really. I choose to include my spare in my tire rotation. I do this primarily to prolong tread life for the overall set. When this set runs out I will more than likely be going to 37's so I will be replacing all 5 anyway. Even if I was staying with 35's I would continue use the spare in the rotation pattern.

 

Yes absolutely, rotate your spare

 

Best practice is to use a 5 tire rotation but I have to admit most (like me) don't do that or rarely do it.

 

My tire shop recommends only rotating 4 tires, their reason being that a 5 tire rotation, which subjects tires to rolling in opposite directions as they change from 1 side of the vehicle to the other, creates issues in the belts (excess heating of steel belts etc), which reduces tire life.

I have not decided if I believe them or not...it sounds reasonable...but it "irks" me to not do all 5...which I have done so far.

Grant

 

I'm a visual person, this thread below might help


https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...tate-BFG-KM2-s

 

Forgive me for being ignorant, but how does changing the direction of the tire create extra heat? It was my understanding that with a non-directional tire, it doesn't matter which way they turn.

 

So the G pattern is best?

 

Yes. That's what many have been doing.

 

Baloney! That was true 30+ years ago when radial tires first came out, but has NOT been true for many, many years. Most tire shops suggest 4-tire rotation because it is less work for them.

I have done a 5-tire rotation for at least 20 years now with absolutely NO problems.

A 5-tire rotation gives you a full 25% more tread life if done on a regular basis. I rotate every 5 or 6000 miles. Plus, the spare actually gets used, rather than just rotting away in the sun.

I use this pattern:

Spare to RR
RR to RF
RF to LR
LR to LF
LF to Spare

Mabar