When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Not permanently, I do eventually want to get back to the stock config, which after all is there for performance reasons. But if it's a couple of days/weeks to get the wheel and/or tire replaced, whatever. I'm driving on an alloy wheel with a properly balanced, premium tire of the correct diameter. The car drives fine, and can be driven as far and as fast as I want.
I actually did that about 6 years ago. Popped a front tire, reinflated it, and replaced it with one of my 17" winters when I got home. It took Costco about 2 weeks to get me a new Pilot Super Sport in the correct size. So I commuted for 8 or 9 days, 45 minutes to an hour each way (probably around 700 miles total), on tires of three different sizes--225/55/17 and 235/40/18 in the front, two 265/35/18 in the back.
This is the stupidest possible way to do tire rotation, I'm honestly amazed that Toyota recommends it. It makes treadwear artificially UNeven. Your left tires have to be replaced when the right ones still have a third of their tread left. Better to never rotate them at all.
This is the stupidest possible way to do tire rotation. It makes treadwear artificially UNeven. Your left tires have to be replaced when the right ones still have a third of their tread left. Better to never rotate them at all.
It's from TireRack, and is applicable to all brands and models where tires can be fully rotated, which obviously excludes those with staggered wheels or directional tires.
It's from TireRack, and is applicable to all brands and models where tires can be fully rotated, which obviously excludes those with staggered wheels or directional tires.
In the Toyota diagram. The tires always rotate the same way. If they are crossed, the tires rotate a different way after rotation...That is how I perceive the reason why Toyota is recommending it. Why I am not sure..
In the Toyota diagram. The tires always rotate the same way. If they are crossed, the tires rotate a different way after rotation...That is how I perceive the reason why Toyota is recommending it. Why I am not sure..
Which is what you would have to do if your tires were directional (meaning, designed to only rotate one way). But if that were the case, then you don't actually have a spare for the left side of the vehicle. Which, since that's the side of the vehicle that incurs more tire wear, is the side more likely to have a flat.
I strongly suspect 4Runner tires are not directional. Typically only some ultra high-performance and winter tires are. This would be noted by an arrow on the sidewall that says "Rotation-->"
I suspect the reason it's in there, is because this WAS the correct way to do 5-tire rotations back in the 50s when radial tires were first introduced, and they just never thought about it again. Putting a tire that was "used" to wearing in one direction on the opposite side of the car slightly increased the possibility of a blowout. But tire quality has improved immeasurably in the past 70+ years, so that's not a concern anymore. But even when it was a concern, doing a 5-tire rotation like this meant you didn't have a spare for the left side. So you either had to do a 4-tire rotation with a dedicated spare (that hadn't "learned"), or a 6-tire rotation with TWO spares, one designated for each side.
Why in the hell would anybody drive around with their spare on permanently?
Laziness and lack of money. I see it all the time in my city with bald temporary spares that people have been driving around on. I also see cars on the side of the road with a flat spare.
Which is what you would have to do if your tires were directional (meaning, designed to only rotate one way). But if that were the case, then you don't actually have a spare for the left side of the vehicle. Which, since that's the side of the vehicle that incurs more tire wear, is the side more likely to have a flat. .
I never thought of that.
Originally Posted by geko29
I suspect the reason it's in there, is because this WAS the correct way to do 5-tire rotations back in the 50s when radial tires were first introduced, and they just never thought about it again. Putting a tire that was "used" to wearing in one direction on the opposite side of the car slightly increased the possibility of a blowout. But tire quality has improved immeasurably in the past 70+ years, so that's not a concern anymore. But even when it was a concern, doing a 5-tire rotation like this meant you didn't have a spare for the left side. So you either had to do a 4-tire rotation with a dedicated spare (that hadn't "learned"), or a 6-tire rotation with TWO spares, one designated for each side.
I’m going to buy stock in tire rack. So my mom got in her car to come over here and watch the kids while my wife and I go out to dinner, she’s got a flat tire lol
I’m going to buy stock in tire rack. So my mom got in her car to come over here and watch the kids while my wife and I go out to dinner, she’s got a flat tire lol
does it come with a full time spare?
(Sorry. Just couldn’t resist)
Apparently I angered them somehow! I've bought 10 tires in the last 6 months!
03-01-24, 11:35 AM
Which, since that's the side of the vehicle that incurs more tire wear, is the side more likely to have a flat. 
