Welp, I am at 7300 miles, very close to the 7500 mark that is recommended to rotate tires. I have read how the manual says back to front, front to back.. Does everyone do this or is there a different way that is better? Also should I take it somewhere to do this or should I do it? All I have is the jack and the wrench that came with the car, I can get jack stand and a lift, but do I have to torque the nuts down or just go as tight as possible? ( I do not own a torque wrench) If I take it to a shop do they torque them or just use that damn air wrench that puts them on sooooo tight that you can't get them off?

Thanks :-)

-Nigel

 

1. most shops will not use a torque wrench, and will use a pneumatic impact wrench to put lug nuts on.

2. lug nuts should be torqued to roughly 70 ft-lbs to avoid warping your brake rotors.

3. everyone should rotate their tires, as long as they're not running a staggered setup.

4. you can rotate your tires with nothing more than the stock tool kit. you just have to use the spare to complete the process (i.e. lift right rear, remove wheel, install spare, lower right rear. lift right front, remove wheel, install what used to be the right rear..then go back and replace the spare)

 

i use two jacks and lift one side up, that is if i am doing a rotation back to front and visa versa. i rotate my tired every other oil change which by the way is every 3000 miles. and every other other rotate i do a cross rotate, which i take the back two and cross them into the front and the fronts straight back to the back. i hope this helps and my tires are in very good condition, make sure you use star pattern when putting ur lugs back on.

 

I use the X rotation.
If you do not own a torque wrench then tighten all your lugs the best you can then drive the car a couple of miles and tighten the lugs again. (a must do with alloy wheels trust me)

 

80lbs works too=P

 

i read a post like this somewhere (can't remember where)
but if i remember correctly i don't think u are supposed to cross rotate the imprezas.
its even in the owners manual
11-50

 

not a problem. i learned the spare trick from my dad when i was about ten.

 

LF to LB and RF to RB. Keep them on the same side.

 

the manual lol ur supposed to read the pamphlet u get when u buy the car, which pertains to your specific tires, i got it and it told me awd drive cars should be rotated in that fashion

 

For the people with directional tires, make sure when you rotate that you keep the tread going the right way...-Todd-

 

If I torque them down what type of wrench do I buy or are all torque wrenches the same?

Thanks,

-Nigel

 

there are several types of torque wrenches. just go to sears, and buy a click type torque wrench in the drive size of your choice (3/8ths or 1/2in). follow the instructions that come with it, and you'll be fine. this is one of those kinds of tools that you don't want to skimp on money wise.