Dealership tire rotation.

dover157

Dec 27, 2022

So at the dealership for my first oil change and general service. Anyone else have problems getting a dealer to do a 5 tire rotate? In the past I have always had any tire work, even care of factory tires, done at discount and never at a dealership. Since I got a platinum service plan with pre paid maintenance and tire warranty on the bronco figured I would have them do it this time. Specifically asked for a 5 tire rotation and the service writer made a note of it on the ticket. The tell me she’s done and I can see that the factory spare is still hanging on the tailgate ( still has the colored lines on the tread that has worn off the others) point this out to the service writer who goes to ask the tech. Comes back and says “the spare was at 17/32” and the other four were at 14/32” so rotating the spare in will cause uneven wear and should wait until next rotation to add the spare…… pointed out that the other 4 are not going to grow in the next 5k miles and evening out the west was the reason I wanted the spare on the ground. They grudgingly took it back and are fixing it now. Perhaps because this is the first vehicle ford has made in many years with a matching spare so 5 tire seems strange to them. May have to number the tires with soap next time so I can track how they move them lol.

22 Black Diamond 2dr non sas w tow and roof rails.

Laura, BigHawk

Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2022

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Dec 27, 2022

Ugh.

There are mechanics out there that believe a 5-tire rotation is the wrong way to go because it's impossible to ensure all 5 tires wear at the same rate. I personally disagree with that thought process, BUT... I do think that if you are doing a 5-tire rotation they need be rotated more often ensure the wear isn't completely uneven. 5-tire rotations used to be no issue when oil changes were every 3000 miles, but nowadays with oils that last 7500+ miles, wear can become an issue, and you may have to rotate your tires more often than just getting it done during an oil change.

OR.... they didn't actually rotate your tires. Unfortunately... many repair shops and dealerships won't actually rotate the tires unless the tires themselves have an uneven wear pattern. Saves them time and money. Can't say for certain if that's what this dealer did, but never know, and next time you get it done I'd mark the tires to see whether they are actually rotating the tires or not.

Personally, I just rotate tires myself. 4-tire rotations are a pain to get done in your own driveway because you need two jacks or you have to shuffle around jack stands. 5-tire rotations, on the other hand, are easy—only need a single jack.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon

BigHawk, TK1215

Dec 27, 2022

RagnarKon
Ugh.

There are mechanics out there that believe a 5-tire rotation is the wrong way to go because it's impossible to ensure all 5 tires wear at the same rate. I personally disagree with that thought process, BUT... I do think that if you are doing a 5-tire rotation they need be rotated more often ensure the wear isn't completely uneven. 5-tire rotations used to be no issue when oil changes were every 3000 miles, but nowadays with oils that last 7500+ miles, wear can become an issue, and you may have to rotate your tires more often than just getting it done during an oil change.

OR.... they didn't actually rotate your tires. Unfortunately... many repair shops and dealerships won't actually rotate the tires unless the tires themselves have an uneven wear pattern. Saves them time and money. Can't say for certain if that's what this dealer did, but never know, and next time you get it done I'd mark the tires to see whether they are actually rotating the tires or not.

Personally, I just rotate tires myself. 4-tire rotations are a pain to get done in your own driveway because you need two jacks or you have to shuffle around jack stands. 5-tire rotations, on the other hand, are easy—only need a single jack.

slightly evening out west is the main reason I wanted 5 tire done if you never put it on the ground then when you do need it it’s possible to have enough of a difference to upset the differentials I thought about doing it myself because as you said 5 tire is fairly easy solo but I have a gravel driveway so no floor jack and lots of crawling around with the factory jack. Plus these tires get heavy lol.

22 Black Diamond 2dr non sas w tow and roof rails.

SlashRacer

Dec 27, 2022

dover157
slightly evening out west is the main reason I wanted 5 tire done if you never put it on the ground then when you do need it it’s possible to have enough of a difference to upset the differentials I thought about doing it myself because as you said 5 tire is fairly easy solo but I have a gravel driveway so no floor jack and lots of crawling around with the factory jack. Plus these tires get heavy lol.

Buy some tire chalk and mark the tires on the inside, number them one through five on the backside of the tire..Next time you’ll know if it’s done correctly.

TK1215, BostonBadlands

Dec 27, 2022

I know a lot of people don't like the stock 35's but I'm fine with them. So Ill wear out the other 4, not until they are bald, order 3 new ones and stick the 3/4 worn one as the spare and save some money. BUT if you are planning on changing your tires I would wear out all 5 as this thread was suggesting.
I have had numerous other 35" tires and still do on other vehicles and they are all louder heavier and ride harder.

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

magicrobots

Dec 27, 2022

I think it is important to verify the correct direction of the criss crossed tires … per rotation….
The concept is the floating or non powered axle tires are always cross crossed. Front wheel drive cars are always crossed the opposite that of Rear Wheel drive cars.
So it is important to get this right. Regardless whether you do a 4 or 5 wheel rotation.

For our Bronco the front tires cross and the rears move straight forward…as per the Ford Bronco Manual.

TK1215, Mikey D

Dec 28, 2022

Nminus1
I know a lot of people don't like the stock 35's but I'm fine with them. So Ill wear out the other 4, not until they are bald, order 3 new ones and stick the 3/4 worn one as the spare and save some money. BUT if you are planning on changing your tires I would wear out all 5 as this thread was suggesting.
I have had numerous other 35" tires and still do on other vehicles and they are all louder heavier and ride harder.

I’m running the stock 31’s on a non sas black diamond. So far I’m quite happy with the grabbers and want to do what I can to make them last. Plan on upgrading to 33” at some point but may well get larger grabbers at that time.

22 Black Diamond 2dr non sas w tow and roof rails.

Deano Bronc

Dec 28, 2022

My dealer has a $10 up-charge for the 5th tire when requested. So it’s not a hassle to have them do it.

Dec 28, 2022

dover157
So at the dealership for my first oil change and general service. Anyone else have problems getting a dealer to do a 5 tire rotate? In the past I have always had any tire work, even care of factory tires, done at discount and never at a dealership. Since I got a platinum service plan with pre paid maintenance and tire warranty on the bronco figured I would have them do it this time. Specifically asked for a 5 tire rotation and the service writer made a note of it on the ticket. The tell me she’s done and I can see that the factory spare is still hanging on the tailgate ( still has the colored lines on the tread that has worn off the others) point this out to the service writer who goes to ask the tech. Comes back and says “the spare was at 17/32” and the other four were at 14/32” so rotating the spare in will cause uneven wear and should wait until next rotation to add the spare…… pointed out that the other 4 are not going to grow in the next 5k miles and evening out the west was the reason I wanted the spare on the ground. They grudgingly took it back and are fixing it now. Perhaps because this is the first vehicle ford has made in many years with a matching spare so 5 tire seems strange to them. May have to number the tires with soap next time so I can track how they move them lol.

i can't get them to do it to save my life!

Dec 29, 2022

Cornwelltoolman
i can't get them to do it to save my life!

Talk to the service manager this isn't advanced math! Who is the paying customer!!??

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

BostonBadlands

Dec 29, 2022

#10

Cornwelltoolman
i can't get them to do it to save my life!

Sounds like you need to head back to Discount Tire.

2022 | Outer Banks | 2 Dr | Race Red | 2.7L | Mid-Package

dover157

Dec 29, 2022

#11

I have my oil changed and a 5 tire rotation every 5,000 miles. Not an issue at my dealership(DeNooyer Ford) and no extra fee.

2021 Badlands, 4 door, 2.7L, Auto, LUX, SAS, Tow Package, MIC, Velocity Blue.

NavPatriot, TK1215

Dec 29, 2022

#12

Mikey D
Sounds like you need to head back to Discount Tire.

i have one free oil change left after that I will do ALL!! the service that's the only way to get it done right!

Dec 30, 2022

#13

SlashRacer
I have my oil changed and a 5 tire rotation every 5,000 miles. Not an issue at my dealership(DeNooyer Ford) and no extra fee.

Nice. You may want to suggest your dealer lend their GM out for some dealer network training. I'm thinking a few dealers could use it. I think my dealer is focused on expanding his dealership group, rather than individual attention.

2022 | Outer Banks | 2 Dr | Race Red | 2.7L | Mid-Package

TK1215, dover157

Dec 30, 2022

#14

Tahotrvlr
For our Bronco the front tires cross and the rears move straight forward…as per the Ford Bronco Manual.

So how does adding the 5th tire to the rotation play into this equation? Which one do you put on the back of the truck?

Bob

magicrobots, Tahotrvlr

Dec 30, 2022

#15

BobVaughan
So how does adding the 5th tire to the rotation play into this equation? Which one do you put on the back of the truck?

Bob

Proper RWD 5 tire rotation

22 Black Diamond 2dr non sas w tow and roof rails.

magicrobots, TK1215

Dec 31, 2022

#16

BobVaughan
So how does adding the 5th tire to the rotation play into this equation? Which one do you put on the back of the truck?

Bob

Thats a good question… I would imagine one of the rears is substituted with the spare… (first) then the two rears get moved straight ahead up to the front…with the fronts cross cross to the rear.

Given the price of these tires maybe this high frequency of rotations is worth it.

This 5th tire rotation every 3,000 k miles is not trivial..(1/32” wear)

I would imagine wrestling these 100 lb wheels and tires and double checking the air pressure and torquing them to spec, is not for the meek😁!

Jan 06, 2023

#17

I read in the manual to be careful about rotating the 5th as the vehicle has to be recalibrated... has anyone come across this in the manual and have you recalibrated when the 5th has been incorporated in the rotation?

Jan 06, 2023

#18

Scientist79
I read in the manual to be careful about rotating the 5th as the vehicle has to be recalibrated... has anyone come across this in the manual and have you recalibrated when the 5th has been incorporated in the rotation?

there is no recalibration necessary for tpms I'm not sure if you mean something else?

Deano Bronc

Jan 06, 2023

#19

Cornwelltoolman
there is no recalibration necessary for tpms I'm not sure if you mean something else?

This is what the man says:
“For the best tire life, a five tire rotation is recommended that includes the matching spare tire mounted on the back of the vehicle. This rotation requires a forced re-learning of your tire pressure monitor system sensors by your vehicle, and should be performed by an authorized dealer or a service center to make sure the tire pressure monitoring system provides proper warning at all times. When performing the tire rotation yourself, a four tire rotation is recommended, without using the spare tire in the rotation, so that no tire pressure monitor system sensor re-learn is required. If a five tire rotation is performed without a tire pressure monitor system sensor re-learn, the system may not provide a low tire pressure warning when necessary.”

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