1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Tire rotation in the manual

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by canadian.bacon, Sep 28, 2021.

  1. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:11 AM
    #1
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon [OP] H9 halogen is the best led bulb

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Member:
    #15450
    Messages:
    1,013
    Snowland
    Vehicle:
    ‘22 Tesla Model Y
    Can anybody explain the need for 2 different images showing the exact same procedure?
    Is it something I don’t understand in here?
    The way I see it, they just complicate things unnecessarily.

    60E245A4-9096-4015-9CE6-AA8A85CD2BD7.jpg
     
  2. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:13 AM
    #2
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon [OP] H9 halogen is the best led bulb

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2020
    Member:
    #15450
    Messages:
    1,013
    Snowland
    Vehicle:
    ‘22 Tesla Model Y
    nevermind, i got it, it's the spare !
     
  3. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:14 AM
    #3
    doublewide

    doublewide New Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    Member:
    #6133
    Messages:
    255
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    TRD OR PREM
    Tire rotation??

    Don't my tires rotate as I drive.
     
    Harringbr99, Han4Run, Ironguy and 5 others like this.
  4. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:15 AM
    #4
    doublewide

    doublewide New Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    Member:
    #6133
    Messages:
    255
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    TRD OR PREM
    Only if you have 245/60R20 is the spare put into play.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  5. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:40 AM
    #5
    BroRunner

    BroRunner New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2015
    Member:
    #828
    Messages:
    61
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2015 4Runner Trail Edition
    Don't forget to rotate the lug nuts too!
     
  6. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:46 AM
    #6
    BgBmBoo

    BgBmBoo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2020
    Member:
    #15793
    Messages:
    216
    Kansas
    I have always thought Toyota's recommended rotation pattern is odd and found it created uneven wear on large lugged all terrain tires. I use a modified X pattern instead, backs to front, fronts switch sides and go the back.
     
  7. Sep 28, 2021 at 10:45 AM
    #7
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2021
    Member:
    #20965
    Messages:
    1,526
    Gender:
    Male
    East Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    5th Gen OG TE
    Several tire shops in Colorado and off-road shops have told me that off-road tires with big lugs starts to pull heavily to one side or the other if they are cross rotated. And this has nothing to do with your alignment.
     
    ElectroBoy likes this.
  8. Sep 28, 2021 at 10:53 AM
    #8
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    I agree. I do a "Z" pattern. I've made it a point to change the direction of rotation on my last few sets with great results!

    How long does this take? I have about 17 - 18K on my Yokohama MT's and have rotated them 3 times so far. I have no pull, and perfect wear.
     
    Moon Landing likes this.
  9. Sep 28, 2021 at 12:41 PM
    #9
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2021
    Member:
    #20965
    Messages:
    1,526
    Gender:
    Male
    East Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    5th Gen OG TE
    No idea, but that’s what I’ve been quoted and that’s what I do.
     
    Thatbassguy[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Sep 28, 2021 at 12:58 PM
    #10
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    I think they're just trying to sell more tires. :D
     
    suaveflooder and Moon Landing like this.
  11. Sep 28, 2021 at 1:15 PM
    #11
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    Dang, I now realize I've had my tires rotated twice and they didn't include the spare. 20" rims here.
     
    Thatbassguy and suaveflooder like this.
  12. Sep 28, 2021 at 1:21 PM
    #12
    suaveflooder

    suaveflooder New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2021
    Member:
    #23264
    Messages:
    568
    F my life. I’ve always done the X rotation :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  13. Sep 28, 2021 at 2:57 PM
    #13
    Stoney Ranger

    Stoney Ranger New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2021
    Member:
    #20419
    Messages:
    790
    Gender:
    Male
    Driftless Area
    Vehicle:
    '18 SR5 Nauti Blue
    4x Rockers/Skids-Dobi-275's-Fr/R Bpr-Winch-Stickers-ALF
    Yep, I do similar on a 5 tire rotate. But the left front goes to spare, spare goes to right rear.
     
    Firefly21 likes this.
  14. Sep 28, 2021 at 3:00 PM
    #14
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    I'd read once that the purpose of back-to-front rotation on the same side is to prevent changing the tire's direction of rotation. While it seems intuitive that you'd get more even tread wear by doing a "Z" or "X" rotation, the theory as I understand it has been that this is bad for the radial belts, potentially making the tires less safe. And most cars I've had in recent years have recommended this back-to-front method.

    However, in looking up current advice, it seems that some kind of cross pattern is usually recommended.

    See https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...3p.ds&ef_id=YVOOeQAAAOJ3wTMO:20210928215153:s

    And https://www.bridgestonetire.com/learn/maintenance/tire-rotation/

    So, weird. The back-to-front-on-the-same-side method shown in the Toyota manual seems to be recommended only when the tires are directional -- ie have treads designed to work best in only one direction of rotation. So far as I know, that's not what any 4Runners have.

    I have no clue what the truth actually is, but it is strange that Toyota (and I think other makers) are generally recommending something other than what the tire manufacturers recommend.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  15. Sep 28, 2021 at 3:22 PM
    #15
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch

    It could just be a generic pattern to cover their own asses if an owner were to switch to directional tires. I've noticed the same thing, though. I would go by the tire manufacturers recommendation before Toyota's.
     
  16. Sep 28, 2021 at 3:28 PM
    #16
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    When I finally get real tires I’m gonna cycle in the spare on rotation. With 11K miles and two rotations already, I’m thinking I’ve missed the boat on the OEM tires.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  17. Sep 28, 2021 at 3:31 PM
    #17
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2021
    Member:
    #20965
    Messages:
    1,526
    Gender:
    Male
    East Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    5th Gen OG TE
    Unless something has changed, none of the 4Runner models have a matching spare. Even the Limited has some weird yellow painted spare, unless that has changed recently.
     
  18. Sep 28, 2021 at 3:33 PM
    #18
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    Dunno about the past but my 2020 Limited has a matching spare tire and wheel. Presumably this is why the manual recommends cycling the spare into the rotation on vehicles with the 20” rims.

    The spare also has TPMS that shows on the dash. So when I look up my pressures I see the numbers for the spare in addition to each of the four. Another little feature that comes with the Limited.
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021
  19. Sep 28, 2021 at 6:20 PM
    #19
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    5,536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    They all have matching spare tires, just not necessarily matching spare wheels.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  20. Sep 28, 2021 at 6:34 PM
    #20
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    At the risk of stating the obvious: The lack of a matching spare wheel on the other models would explain why Toyota doesn't recommend cycling the spare into the rotation schedule. They only recommend it for 4Runners with 20" tires, cause the only 4Runner that has 20" tires is the only 4Runner that comes with a matching spare wheel (i.e. the Limited).
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  21. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:18 PM
    #21
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2021
    Member:
    #20442
    Messages:
    2,838
    Gender:
    Male
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    265-70-17 Ridge Grapplers, TRD Pro rims, 3M precut bra, N-Fab nerf/steps
    Wow, this is gonna turn into another oil change thread.

    :angrygirl:
     
    thirdyota and Thatbassguy like this.
  22. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:28 PM
    #22
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    I rotate my tires every 1000 miles and anyone who does otherwise is a dumb dumb. Plus, when I do so I only use Toyota-branded lug wrenches, cause the ones from Walmart have less moly in them. Also, it's vitally important to use only high viscosity air. The air Toyota recommends for its tires is too thin, and they spec it just for gas mileage -- even though they know it will increase tread wear, forcing you to buy new tires sooner. Y'all have been warned.
     
  23. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:28 PM
    #23
    thkbaron

    thkbaron New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2021
    Member:
    #20527
    Messages:
    291
    Gender:
    Male
    That's pretty pimpin that the spare matches on the limiteds. they should advertise that better! maybe people will buy them with the ugly ass front facia and ground effects.........
     
    thirdyota likes this.
  24. Sep 28, 2021 at 8:02 PM
    #24
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    I wonder if the fact that the limited is AWD is relevant here. Different diameter tires is bad on AWD vehicles (had someone tell me recently that if you blow a tire on a Subaru, you can’t just replace the blown one. You have to replace all four (assuming the tires aren’t near-new).
     
    TrueTexas and Thatbassguy like this.
  25. Sep 28, 2021 at 8:30 PM
    #25
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    I think this applies to 4wd vehicles as well. The limited at least has a center diff to allow the front and rear axles to spin at different speeds.
     
  26. Sep 28, 2021 at 8:45 PM
    #26
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    1,939
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    You forgot about filling the tires with nitrogen!!
     
  27. Sep 28, 2021 at 8:46 PM
    #27
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15483
    Messages:
    1,724
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner Limited
    OEM LED foglights
    The whole thing about tread wear having to match on AWD or 4WD vehicles seems overblown to me. The front wheels are usually going to spin at a different rate than the rears anyway, so how much difference can it make if you add in slightly different tire diameters. That's why there's an unlocked center diff -- to accommodate such differences.

    There should be even less of an issue on vehicles like the SR5 and ORP, since they're running in RWD except in very slippery conditions where, again, there's going to be a big difference in front and rear rotation speeds no matter how well the tires are matched.

    Maybe an engineer on here can explain what I'm missing, but I def don't get it. Sure, slightly different diameters will in principle add stress to the drivetrain. But in practice it seems to me the drivetrain will notice such differences less than it notices all the stress that comes from the front wheels spinning at a different speed with every little nudge of the steering wheel.
     
  28. Sep 28, 2021 at 8:49 PM
    #28
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,412
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch

    I totally agree! The whole point of the differential is to allow the wheels to turn at different speeds. Having a slightly larger or smaller spare seems like it would be no different than driving around in a large circle.
     
  29. Sep 28, 2021 at 9:13 PM
    #29
    BroRunner

    BroRunner New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2015
    Member:
    #828
    Messages:
    61
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2015 4Runner Trail Edition
    I always thought the same thing. But I was told is that engaging the differential to spin the wheels at different speeds heats it up and then things go bad. Normally the pinion gear spins the ring gear (the big one), but the spider gears aren't turning when driving in a straight line. When those spider gears engage apparently that's when things start really heating up. I don't know if it's due to their small relative size or what... I'm not a mechanical engineer.

    I still figure this would only apply to loss of traction situation where someone decides to keep throttling it but I'm not willing to test it. Nor do I have a temperature reading on my diff to see how much things start heating up when driving in a circle for 15 minutes straight, not that I do that haha.
     
  30. Sep 28, 2021 at 9:44 PM
    #30
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    5,536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    High viscosity nitrogen, or plain ol' OTC?
     
    Singleminded likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top