Shops charge $50+ for tire rotation but it seems simple enough. Has anyone followed a tire rotation DIY guide successfully? What equipment do you need beyond a jack and lug wrench? I'm wondering if the savings are worth the effort or if this is one of those things better left to professionals.
Tire rotation DIY is absolutely worth doing yourself if you have a jack, jack stands, and torque wrench. The pattern depends on your car (front-wheel drive vs all-wheel drive vs directional tires). Mark each tire's position with chalk before removing. Torque lug nuts to spec - over-tightening can warp rotors, under-tightening is dangerous.
I follow a tire rotation DIY guide every 6,000 miles. Saves me $50 each time. Important: check tire pressure and adjust as needed during rotation. Also inspect tires for uneven wear, which can indicate alignment issues. If you see feathering or cupping, you might need an alignment (that's one thing I still pay for).
If you have directional tires (marked with rotation arrow), they can only rotate front to back on same side. Non-directional tires can cross. Also, if you have a full-size spare, include it in the rotation. Five-tire rotation extends tire life even further. Just follow a good tire rotation DIY guide for your specific setup.