Tyre rotation for M3P

[Jeeves]

I do this as a matter of routine.

Please would you share the routine you follow with your M3?

 

[Generator]

The TM3 has only been with me for 7 months so it hasn’t been done yet. Might be a job for next weekend now I have a reminder. What’s required on that car seems to be the jacking pucks (I now have these) and an extra jack. I don't recall if the PS4S is a directional tyre. If so then a front to rear swap will do, if it’s non directional then other options are available. (Also easier than corner to corner swapping, as you don’t need to put the car up on axle stands)

The Volvo on the other hand was done a couple of weeks ago. That’s got a bloody great 5 cylinder engine hanging over the front axle so it’s heavy on its front tyres. It’s running Uniroyal Rainsports which are asymmetrical but not directional. Routine for that car was to bring the fronts straight to the back axle, and swap the rears left to right before they go on the front axle.

 

[Gatsojon]

I had similar, sealed it myself with this...

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0045TZZMU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Perhaps we could use this on the rear lenses too!

 

[JGCyber3]

I'm at 4500mi's and plan on rotating at 5000mi - I've always done it on previous cars when I took them in for oil changes, not really relevant with the M3P, but I do love the PS4's and if it gets a few more miles why not.

++ Brainwashed Yank, lol

 

[Mark_T]

I'm at 4500mi's and plan on rotating at 5000mi - I've always done it on previous cars when I took them in for oil changes, not really relevant with the M3P, but I do love the PS4's and if it gets a few more miles why not.

++ Brainwashed Yank, lol

That's the other thing we don't do in the UK... oil changes at 5,000 miles.

 

[Generator]

That's the other thing we don't do in the UK... oil changes at 5,000 miles.

And looking at the state of some engines, it’s easy to see. Personally, I love an oil change.

 

[JGCyber3]

yeah, change my ktm dirt bikes at 10hrs and my ktm street bikes annually....5000mi for a car is less miles than specified miles but makes me feel better...if it helps my wife's BMW lease goes in at recommended intervals 10k I believe...but I wont keep that car. beyond lease

 

[Neilio]

I don't get the point of tyre rotation at all? I guess because of the steering and braking the fronts wear out slightly quicker than the rears? I can't see it being an issue ever though and I've never done it on any car.

Someone above says, it's only an FWD drive powerful cars that you need to do it as the fronts will wear out a lot quicker.

 

[bellbrie]

Don't all tyres rotate?

 

[pdk42]

I do this as a matter of routine. The benefits are crystal clear. On a front heavy car in the UK the front left tyre tends to take a battering, and the front in general is doing more work since weight transfer under braking places most of the load on them. Rotating tyres tends to make the entire set wear at an even rate.

Makers, including European makers, used to put detailed directions for rotation in the owners manuals in the servicing section. I’ve seen it and followed it on everything from a mk3 cortina, a ‘79 Scirocco, and an E28 5 series, up to more recent metal such as my old Mazda 6 MPS and my last Audi. The 4WD system on those cars were particularly fussy about tyres, and only worked properly when all the tyres were at an approximately even state of wear.

Other cars I’ve owned had different sized tyres front and rear so rotation wasn’t possible. Directional tyres make only front to rear swapping possible without remounting tyres to rims, but it’s still beneficial.

The advantage of course is that for the life of the tyres the even wear means they all offer consistent and even levels of grip, slip, and general performance, maintaining the balance of the car when accelerating, cornering and braking. This is an area of chassis dynamics not often considered outside of racetracks, but it is important. Put a pair of very expensive, very sticky go faster tyres on one end of your car, and a set of budget or part works on the other and your performance will be limited to the capability of the lesser tyres. The car will be unbalanced, moving more readily to over or understeer at a reduced limit determined by the capabilities of the lesser tyres, and not only is the car less stable, but you’ll never get the benefit of that extra investment. Think of it as trying to run the 100m sprint with a the latest in featherweight Usain Bolt spec running shoes on one foot and a flip flop on the other.

Proper rotation also means all four tyres are then due for replacement at the same time, so your new tyres are matched, and you are free to opt for a completely different tyre type if someone else ever makes a better tyre than the Michelin PS4S. You get balance, and you get to enjoy the benefits of having 4, perfectly matched brand new tyres on the car again.

A good post - you've convinced me. I've never bothered before but this makes perfect sense.

 

[Generator]

Don't all tyres rotate?

By design, yes.

Get a puncture though, and no matter how much you rotate it, it always, always, without fail, goes flat at the bottom...