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Rotating tires -- Yes/No/Only in months with an "R"?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cyberpriusII, May 8, 2016.

  1. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    I admit, I have been lax. Iowa weather made me loath to rotate my tires. And, I do it myself, which is an involved procedure that requires much blood, sweat and beer (I usually manage to stab myself while prying objects out of the tread).

    But, it gives me a chance to check out things under the car, like CV joints, loose panels, mice nests and mufflers, as well as pry rocks/gravel out of the tread as well as check closely for other problems on the tire. Things I probably would not do unless I rotated the tires myself. Also, I don't trust the average tire buster to do this stuff.

    So, I have not rotated for about 24 months. I am noticing the front tires have a fair amount less trend than the rear -- still O.K., but certainly down a bit. If I am going to rotate, it had better be pretty quick.

    But at the moment, I am thinking I might just leave the fronts on until fall and then get two new tires.

    I've googled and have found mixed opinions about it. Pretty much seems a wash. Anyone with particularly urgent reason why the Prius needs any special treatment?

    My weather now is pretty much going to be dry through September and then pretty much wet with very little to no snow and ice all winter. Indeed, I often "bike it" and leave the car parked anyway...

    I do plan on regular rotations in the future -- unless, of course, someone like Hobbit convinces me otherwise...
    Kris
     
    #1 cyberpriusII, May 8, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! rotation should be about every 5,000 miles or so. time doesn't matter. how many miles on the tyres, and at what mileage did you last rotate?
     
    #2 bisco, May 8, 2016
  3. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Everyone -- forgive me for the momentary lapse in judgment, not the first time.

    Sometimes it takes seeing something in writing before it clicks in my brain -- problem is I should write a question and wait five minutes before posting...

    So, if I do the rotation, I will be able to check all the things I mentioned earlier. So, that is the prime argument for doing it now.

    Still have a couple hours of daylight, no better time than now. Hopefully none of them will be fused...

    Sorry for the false alarm!
     
    #3 cyberpriusII, May 8, 2016
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  4. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    The tyres on my 2009 Gen II get rotated (front to back) every 3k miles or so (usually every 2 or 3 months)

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 WilDavis, May 8, 2016
  5. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    You always want your best tires on the front, ( front tires accelerate and de-accelerate ) which begs the question, why do jobbers (insurance companies ) insist new tires go on the rear?

    Anyway, if you can run 50 miles....... jacking and changing should be relaxing.
     
    #5 Lucifer, May 8, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    get a nice long pipe to fit over your lug wrench.
     
    #6 bisco, May 8, 2016
  7. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    no, you don't. because when the rear tires lose traction, things get bad awfully fast (like suddenly driving backwards at hwy speeds, I've been there personally and can tell you it's worth to prevent if possible).

    yes, there are conflicting opinions. the advantage of frequent rotations is preventing abnormal/uneven wear due to subtle issues with alignment. some tires can get annoyingly noisy when uneven wear.
     
    #7 Former Member 68813, May 8, 2016
    Last edited: May 9, 2016
  8. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    My only reason issue with rotating is when the wheels fuse to the hub. But thanks to advice from this forum, I now wire brush and lube the backs of the wheels to prevent that!

    I found a small garter snake curled near the rear driver's side wheel when I went out. I moved it a few feet away and it stayed and watched me through the job.

    Since I was out and dirty anyway, I also treated all the rubber weather gaskets on the doors/hood/hatch.

    Thanks all for the tips/enouragement. Kris
     
    #8 cyberpriusII, May 8, 2016
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  9. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    If your rotate them from the time they're new at fixed intervals, including the first time, then the ones that started in front will always have the most front miles and therefore will wear out first. It's better to double the interval after the first time (or halve it the first time), so they'll have equal wear, on average.
     
    #9 CR94, May 8, 2016
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    When the wheels glue on:

    With the tire about an inch clear of the slab (hopefully it's a slab, makes it easier), remove all lug nuts but one near the top, and leave that one on but very loose.

    Place a couple of 2x4's (or a 4x4, if you can find one) against the tire wall, at the inside bottom.

    Get a good sized sledge hammer, swing it across the slab and into the wood blocking. It might take one or two swings to get a feel for how much force is needed, but this should bust the wheel loose. The top nut will keep the wheel from coming off completely.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, May 9, 2016
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