Subaru tire rotation

[jennings]

My '05 GT recommends back to front only. At about 18K I am starting to get some tire roar, probably leading edge trailing edge stepping. Is there any reason the original Bridgestones can't be cross rotated? They are not a directional tire.

 

[Dominic]

Front to back rotation should be 100% adequate. I've done it for years on RWD cars with directional tires, and I plan on doing it on my subaru too.

That said, given a non directional tire, same size on all 4, there should be no reason why you can't cross-rotate them unless the WHEELS themselves are perhaps directional (look at the spokes and make sure they wont be going the wrong way)

 

[Titan]

I cross rotate my Yokohama's on two Subaru's for that very reason. Been doing fine for a combination of about 60,000 miles so far!

 

[CapriRacer]

2 things:

1) If 18K is your first rotation, you may want to increase the frequency.

2) If 19K is not your first rotation, it might be worthwhile to check your alignment

 

[jennings]

Tires have been rotated 3 times and appear to be wearing very evenly. Just getting a bit noisier. And it may be that I am especially sensitive to the noise right now, as I think I have sinus infection also affecting hearing. Thanks for the responses. I may get an X-rotation, but I hate to, 'cause I am a cheap bastid' and I normally do the back to front myself.

 

[CapriRacer]

Quote:

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.....I may get an X-rotation, but I hate to, 'cause I am a cheap bastid' and I normally do the back to front myself......

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Doing an X rotation is not much different than doing front to back. It just requires a bit more planning.

Jack stands make this fairly easy. If you don't have jack stands, you ought to get some - very useful, not to mention the increase in safety!!

 

[Lorenzo]

On my Subaru I rotate the fronts to the opposite rear, and the rears straight to the front. This way each tire ends up at each corner after 4 rotations. This requires all 4 corners to be up on jackstands.

I believe manufacturers will recommend straight front to back if some models have directional tires so they can provide a single guideline for all.