Stupid Question of the Month: How can I safely rotate a front tire?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Robert John, Jul 19, 2025 at 2:32 PM.

  1. Robert John

    Robert John Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2021
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I need to rotate a front tire (up on a stand) to trouble shoot an annoying noise on my Gen 2. From what I’ve read here, the only way I can do this is: set the emergency break; ‘block’ the opposite front tire; jack-up the wheel to be examined; start the car (with foot on brake); shift into ‘N’; then rotate the tire while the car is ‘ON’ (to try and locate the noise).
    I’m not comfortable having a car up on a stand - possibly with a front tire off - when the motor can start running at any moment… even if it is in ‘N’.
    Q: Is there a safer way (i.e. without the car running)?
    Thanks!
     
    #1 Robert John, Jul 19, 2025 at 2:32 PM
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  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
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    IV
    That's not correct: you may have read it here, but we've got lots of threads on PriusChat and you can find both correct and incorrect information. If you identify the thread(s) where you read that, we can add clarifying information there so other people don't get misled the same way you did.

    You do not need to "start the car (with foot on brake)" to shift into N—and in fact, for the exact reason you've already given, you shouldn't want to. Just take the car to "ON" (that is, two power button presses without touching the brake). You can shift to N then with no problem, and nothing is ever going to start.

    Or, simply jack up both front wheels. If the transmission is in Park, when you spin one front wheel the other one will spin the opposite way. It will take a bit more effort than just shifting to N and spinning one wheel, but you might be able to diagnose your noise either way.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jul 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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