Minimum tire rotation internal, why not (expected mileage life)/4?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by kehyler, Feb 28, 2021.

  1. kehyler

    kehyler Member

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    Hi all,

    I've got a question, why is the recommended tire rotation internal not (expected mileage life)/4? For example, if I expected my tires to last 60k miles, then the interval would be 15k miles. If the tires get to ride for many miles on each corner of the vehicle, shouldn't the wear be reasonably consistent?

    (Of course more rotations is better, it's just that with maintenance I would like to have the minimum amount until I can articulate why something is actually harmed by not doing it more.)

    Thanks,

    -kehyler
     
    #1 kehyler, Feb 28, 2021
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    If you drive in a climate with compromised traction (rain, snow, ice), it is better to keep the front and rear traction reasonably well matched. Don't let the front tires get worn enough that when they get swapped to the back, they create a stability hazard.

    That said, I don't have any statement about how long to go between rotations. For myself, I simply rotate at the same time I swap seasonal tire sets, when it is no extra work.
     
    #2 fuzzy1, Feb 28, 2021
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Same here. And these days it amounts to an insanely frequent rotation, siince we're doing under 5K kms yearly. But hey, they're coming off anyway.

    Come to think of it, I'm probably a good candidate for an "all-weather", "4-season" style tire, they'll age-out before wearing out.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Feb 28, 2021
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    when you brake, which set of wheels handle most of the inertia weight, front of back? Which tires are grinding against the direction of car’s inertia when turning with the steering wheel?
     
    #4 Grit, Feb 28, 2021
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  5. kehyler

    kehyler Member

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    I better be careful how I answer, lest I end up as another quote in your signature.
     
    #5 kehyler, Feb 28, 2021
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  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I think he was referring the full rotation cycle around the car, not for each step of that cycle.
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Feb 28, 2021
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