Expert: Josh Fields - 8/31/2006

Question
I have a BMW 2000 528 sport package, with 235/45 z R17 tires.  Do I need to rotate the tire?

Answer
Jose,
 Yes, you always need to rotate tires.  The standard is every 6,000 - 8,000 miles (or two oil changes).  

 Tires wear differently depending on their placement on the vehicle.  Obviously front tires wear quicker than rear tires, because they have to turn.  Also vehicles have what's called "Camber" this is the ammount that the tire is leaning.  If you stand behind your BMW, and look at the rear wheels, you will notice the tops of the wheels are leaning in, toward the center of the car.  This is called "camber".  Rear tires typically have much more camber than front tires.  As you can see, the tires are riding on their inside edges, more than the outside.  So if you leave these tires on the rear for too long, a bald stip will wear on the inside of the tire.  That's why rotating them, keeps them evenly worn.  Also, most tires these days are directional, meaning that they are only supposed to roll in one direction.  If you have these tires (I'm sure you do), you cannot rotate the tires from side to side, only front to back.  Left tires have to stay on the left side of the car, and right tires must stay on the right side of the car.  If you take the left front, and put it on the right front, the tire will be rolling backwards, and wear prematurely.

 Good luck,
 Josh