Safety Glasses
Gloves
Jack
Jack Stands
Lug Wrench
Torque Wrench
Front Wheel Drive
If your vehicle is front-wheel drive, it’s typically recommended that you take the front tires straight back, the left rear tire to the right front and the right rear tire to the left front.
If your vehicle is front-wheel drive, it’s typically recommended that you take the front tires straight back, the left rear tire to the right front and the right rear tire to the left front.
Rear Wheel Drive
If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, it’s recommended you take the rear tires straight forward, the left front tire to the right rear and the right front tire to the left rear.
If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, it’s recommended you take the rear tires straight forward, the left front tire to the right rear and the right front tire to the left rear.
All-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle is all-wheel drive, it’s recommended you rotate the tires in a double-cross pattern, where the front right and left rear tires trade places, and the front left and right rear tires trade places.
If your vehicle is all-wheel drive, it’s recommended you rotate the tires in a double-cross pattern, where the front right and left rear tires trade places, and the front left and right rear tires trade places.
Directional Wheel Tires
If your vehicle has directional tires, it’s recommended the front tires go to the rear, and the rear tires go to the front, unless tires are removed from their rims so direction can be changed.
If your vehicle has directional tires, it’s recommended the front tires go to the rear, and the rear tires go to the front, unless tires are removed from their rims so direction can be changed.
Step 2: Set your parking brake
Put the vehicle in park (or first gear if it’s standard). If your vehicle has a wheel lock lug nut, make sure you have the key before getting started. Set your parking brake.
Remove all your hub or wheel covers.
Step 3: Remove hub caps
Before loosening the lub nuts, remove all hub caps and wheel covers.
Step 4: Loosen your lug nuts
Loosen your lug nuts on all four wheels, but only a quarter to half a turn. You may have to really crank hard or use your foot or body weight to loosen these, and that’s fine. Just don’t remove them completely until the vehicle is raised.
Step 5: Raise the vehicle
Use your floor jack to raise the vehicle and set it on jack stands at each of its four corners, according to manufacturer specifications. If you’re unsure how to do this, refer to our How to Safely Lift and Support video.
Step 6: Remove the lug nuts
Now remove the lug nuts completely. If you have a lug nut you can't get off, it's best to take your vehicle to a professional to avoid damaging the bolt.
Step 7: Remove the tire
Remove the tires completely. Set them next to their new wheel wells according to the rotation patter for your vehicle.
Step 8: Inspect front suspension and brakes
With the wheels off, it’s a good time to check your front suspension parts for any looseness and also visually inspect your brake components.
Step 9: Finger tighten the lug nuts
Put each tire on its hub and finger tighten the lug nuts so there's no wiggle room at all.
Step 10: Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts
Once you’re certain all the wheels are seated flat against your hubs, it’s safe to lower the vehicle.
Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to the foot pounds recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 11: Reattach hub caps and wheel covers
Reattach your hub or wheel covers.
Safely Lifting and Supporting Your Vehicle
Knowing how to safely lift and support your vehicle will allow you to perform many DIY jobs, like changing your oil, brakes or rotating your tires.
The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.