Keeping your Honda Accord running smoothly and safely involves regular maintenance, and one of the most important tasks is rotating your tires. If you’ve ever wondered, “How Do You Rotate Tires On A Honda Accord?”, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the entire process, saving you money on shop fees and giving you the satisfaction of doing it yourself. It’s a straightforward job that can extend the life of your tires and improve your car’s handling.
Your Accord’s tires wear down at different rates depending on their position. The front tires handle steering and most of the braking force, so they typically wear faster. Rotating them evens out this wear, ensuring you get the maximum mileage from your tire set. It’s a smart practice recommended every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or as specified in your owner’s manual.
How Do You Rotate Tires On A Honda Accord?
Before you start turning lug nuts, you need to gather the right tools and understand the pattern you’ll use. Having everything ready makes the job faster and safer. The specific rotation pattern depends on whether your Accord has a full-size spare tire and if your tires are directional or non-directional.
Tools and Safety Gear You’ll Need
- A quality hydraulic floor jack and a sturdy jack stand (never rely on the jack alone).
- The Accord’s factory scissor jack can be used in a pinch for lifting, but a floor jack is much safer and easier.
- A lug wrench or a torque wrench and correct socket (usually 19mm or 21mm for Hondas).
- Wheel chocks (wood blocks or heavy bricks work in a pinch).
- Your vehicle’s owner’s manual for reference.
- Gloves and safety glasses are highly recommended.
Choosing the Correct Rotation Pattern
Most modern Honda Accords use a front-wheel drive platform. The standard pattern for non-directional tires (tires that can roll in either direction) is the “forward cross” or “rearward cross.” This is the most effective method for front-wheel drive cars.
- Forward Cross (Recommended): Move the rear tires straight to the front. Then, cross the front tires to the opposite sides of the rear. (Left-front goes to right-rear, right-front goes to left-rear).
- For Directional Tires: These tires have a specific tread pattern for water evacuation and are marked with an arrow on the sidewall. They can only rotate in one direction. For these, you simply swap the front tires straight to the back, and the back tires straight to the front, on the same side of the vehicle.
- If You Have a Full-Size Spare: You can include it in the five-tire rotation pattern. Consult your manual, but a common method is to put the spare on the right-rear, move the right-rear to right-front, right-front to left-rear, left-rear to left-front, and left-front into the trunk as the new spare.
Step-by-Step Rotation Guide
Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle
Park your Accord on a level, solid surface like concrete or asphalt. Put the car in “Park” and firmly engage the parking brake. Place wheel chocks behind the tires that will remain on the ground. For a forward cross rotation, if you’re starting with the front, chock the rear tires. Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels about a quarter-turn before you lift the car. Don’t remove them yet, just break their initial tightness.
Step 2: Lift the Front of the Car
Locate the proper front jacking point behind the front wheel, as indicated in your manual. It’s usually a marked section of the pinch weld under the doors. Never jack on plastic, the oil pan, or suspension parts. Using your floor jack, lift the entire front of the car until both wheels are off the ground. Slide your jack stands under the reinforced jacking points on each side for safety. Then, slowly lower the jack until the car’s weight is securely on the stands.
Step 3: Remove and Rotate the Front Tires
Now fully remove the loosened lug nuts and take off both front tires. Set them aside carefully, laying them flat so they don’t roll away. At this point, you’ll follow your chosen pattern. For the standard forward cross, you will not be putting tires back on the front yet. Instead, take your two rear tires and install them on the front axle. Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure the wheel is seated evenly.
Step 4: Lower, Lift the Rear, and Complete the Swap
Use the jack to take the weight off the jack stands, remove the stands, and lower the front of the car until the tires just touch the ground. Do not fully lower it yet. Now, chock the front tires. Lift the rear of the car using the central rear jack point (often the differential or a reinforced crossmember). Place jack stands under the rear jacking points and lower the car onto them. Remove the rear wheels.
Now, take the two front tires you set aside earlier and cross them to the rear. The left-front tire goes on the right-rear, and the right-front tire goes on the left-rear. Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Once all wheels are on, lower the car completely to the ground.
Step 5: Final Torquing and Check
With all four tires on the ground and the car’s full weight on them, it’s time for the final tightening. Using your torque wrench, tighten the lug nuts to your Accord’s specified torque. This is typically 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), but always double-check your owner’s manual. Tighten in a star pattern to ensure even pressure. Do a final visual check that all tools are clear and you’re done!
Important Tips and Common Mistakes
- Torque is Critical: Over-tightening can warp brake rotors or break studs. Under-tightening can cause wheels to come loose. A torque wrench is a wise investment.
- Check tire pressures after rotation and inflate to the spec on the driver’s side door jamb sticker, not the tire sidewall.
- If you have tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors, the car may need to be driven a short distance to recalibrate. The sensors will now show pressure for their new position (e.g., the tire that was front-left is now rear-right).
- Avoid getting dirt or debris in the hub or on the wheel studs when the tire is off. A quick wipe with a rag is a good idea.
- If a lug nut is stuck, never use an impact wrench on it while the wheel is off the ground. The force can spin the wheel violently.
When Should You Not Rotate Tires?
There are times when rotation isn’t advised. If your tires are significantly worn unevenly, have damage, or are near the end of their tread life, rotation won’t help. Severely uneven wear can indicate an alignment problem that should be fixed first. Also, if you have mismatched tire brands or types on your Accord, they should not be rotated.
FAQs About Honda Accord Tire Rotation
How often should I rotate the tires on my Honda Accord?
Honda typically recommends rotating tires every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions. However, a good rule of thumb is to do it every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or at every other oil change. Always defer to the schedule in your specific model year’s owner’s manual.
Can I rotate my tires myself if I have TPMS?
Yes, absolutely. The physical rotation process is the same. The car’s computer will automatically relearn the new sensor positions after you drive for a few miles. Just remember that the tire pressure display on your dash will now correspond to the new wheel positions.
What is the cost to rotate tires at a shop?
Most tire shops and dealerships charge between $20 and $60 for a tire rotation. It’s often included for free if you purchased your tires there. Some quick-lube places include it with an oil change service.
Is tire rotation really necessary?
Yes, it’s a crucial part of maintenance. It promotes even tread wear, which extends the overall life of your tire set, improves fuel efficiency, and ensures better traction and handling. It can also help you identify potential issues like uneven wear patterns early.
What’s the difference between tire rotation and wheel alignment?
Rotation is physically moving the tires to different positions on the car. An alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Alignment affects steering and wear; rotation manages the wear that occurs.
Rotating your Honda Accord’s tires is a manageable DIY project that pays off in safety and savings. By following this guide, gathering the right tools, and taking your time, you can confidently perform this essential service. Regular rotations will help your tires last longer, giving you a smoother ride and better performance from your Accord for many miles to come. Remember to always prioritize safety by using jack stands and double-checking your work.