When it comes to rotating my tires should I have the dealer do this because of the AWD system, or can any old hack like myself lift the Forester properly. And do you recommend always having the tires re-balanced each time the tires are rotated. What can I expect the dealer to charge for either of these services ?

 

Last question, I promise, what do you folks recommend when I have to replace the original Yokohamas. Are the Michelins a good tire for the Forester.

 

First time subie owner.

2005 Forester

David,

 

I do all my own tire rotations. No big deal. About twice a year I break the lug nuts free on all 4 wheels, using a large ratchet, and I jack up the car using a floor jack and 2 sets of jack stands. From there I either use my impact gun or a speed wrench to wind off the nuts, then swap wheels side to side and front rear. The next time (8000 km later) I swap them just front to rear. Using the impact gun at it lowest setting, or the speed wrench, I snug up the nuts and lower the car. Then using a torque wrench, even a cheapy half inch drive will do, I torque each lug nut to 90 ftlbs for steel wheels or 78 ft lbs for mags (again depending on the manual for that car). I don't rebalance any of my tires unless I feel a shimmy when driving at speed. I've just changed over my tires and wheels to my winter set, and noticed that I had a shimmy at speed. I immediately rotated all of the tires to new locations and no more shimmy. So sometimes rebalancing is necessary, but sometimes rotation of the tires can correct the situation. If you have the time and the space, you really don't need expensive tools to do just as good a job at tire rotation as the garages do, and if you torque your own wheel nuts yourself, there won't be any warped rotors to have to contend with, because the garage overtorqued the nuts with their impact gun. Others may have their own procedures, but this has worked successfully for me for years and many vehicles.

I have a question on this also. I have BF Goodrich TA tires which are great for the money, but are directional. Can I rotate front to back only (no remounting) or as I suspect is it necessary to rotate diagonally to get even wear?

If you rotate diagonally, won't the tire be spinning in the opposite direction?

Usually, front to rear is good, as most often, front tires wear faster.

 

I believe the tires are only directional to properly direct water out of the grooves.

 

Tiny

If you rotate diagonally, won't the tire be spinning in the opposite direction?

Usually, front to rear is good, as most often, front tires wear faster.

 

I believe the tires are only directional to properly direct water out of the grooves.

 

Tiny

 

well you'd have to remount the tires - big hassle

rotate tires? takes more time driving it and dropping it off than it does just to do it yourself. they don't do anything special, this is almost the easiest task to perform. don't get any easier than that.

front to back is fine.

i have 206,000 miles on my daily driver XT6 and haven't had it aligned since i got the car at 101,000 miles. i drive off road and put this thing through some use. i rotate front to back every time and have excellent tire wire.

I only rotate 'em when I switch between winter and summer tires. The ones that were in the front last winter go in back this winter; the same for the summer set. Of course, we only run up about 15K miles a year.Tiny

I only rotate 'em when I switch between winter and summer tires. The ones that were in the front last winter go in back this winter; the same for the summer set. Of course, we only run up about 15K miles a year.Tiny

 

I usually rotate my Forester's tires myself. With a decent jack and jack stands, it's pretty easy.

 

Just to clarify...

Non-directional tires on an AWD vehicle should be rotated fronts to backs (no cross); backs crossed to fronts.

 

Directional tires on an AWD vehicle should be rotated fronts to backs (no cross).

 

Is that correct?