Rotation, Alignment and Balancing

FWD, RWD and AWD tyres each rotate differently. See the correct front-to-back patterns, directional and five-tyre rules, plus why rotating saves money.

As a guide, rotate tyres every 5,000 to 10,000km or at each service. Here is how to time it to your car, your driving and your logbook in Australia.

Yes, you can rotate directional tyres, but only front-to-back on the same side so the arrow keeps pointing forward. Here is how to do it and what to avoid.

Staggered setups with wider rear tyres usually can’t be rotated front-to-back. Here is what you can do, what you can’t, and why you replace them in pairs.

Only a matching full-size spare belongs in a five-tyre rotation. See which spares to include, why space-savers stay out, and the tyre life you gain.

New tyres still vibrating after balancing? The real causes beyond wheel weights — bent rims, road force, a dirty hub face — and how to fix it.

AWD cars are sensitive to tyre diameter mismatch. Learn when you must replace all four tyres, when fewer is safe, and why your diff is at risk.

The AWD tread depth tolerance is the number that protects your diff. See the typical 2/32in to 4/32in figures and how to measure across all four.

Wheel alignment adjusts suspension angles; balancing adds weights to stop vibration. See the difference, the symptoms of each, and which you need.