After 20K and 3 tire rotations with balance each time, I feel that the ride is not as smooth as it used to. I can even hear some "slight" noise from the tires at various speeds.

I was thinking that when I get a new set of tires, why not just replace front two when neccessary and never rotate?

Is it a good idea?
Thanks for the input.

 

Rotate and balance is best..

 

Rotate and balance to get the most life out of your tires. If you don't rotate, you can get cupping. Cupping will make a tire very loud. The force applied to tires needs to change. Example, on FWD cars the rear tires only roll or stop. Stop being the force which makes the tread ware. The front wheels both pull and stop. So they see force from both directions on the tread. Of course both front and rear see side to side force as we all love to take the twisties at nice speeds!

 

I rotate mine every 6k and I got 45k on a set of OEM A05 16". I am big on the rotate plan.

 

rotate and balance .. keep your tire life for what it's suppose to be.
at 25k tire change is due soon

 

Why would you get cupping from not rotating tires? I thought that's a sign of bad shocks.

Best is to rotate front and rear along the same side of the car. I've heard that on radials it's not as healthy (or just unnecessary) for them to change the direction their rotating, unlike the old bias-ply tires. Not that this matters anyway, since you're just trying to even out the wear of the tires. Front tires tend to wear out the shoulders of the tires faster because of cornering (especially hard cornering).

 

You can get your tires rotated free at Discount Tire and you can buy lifetime balancing for about $30. Its worth it.

 

I have heard that maxima rims are hard to balance, therefore need to go to Nissan service for that.

Is that true?

 

The reason for tire rotation is to wear your tires evenly, because only one wheel drives up to a certain speed or rpm, this tire will wear faster than the others, this is why you change the position of the tires. On some cars such as BMW or all wheel drive cars, they, the manufacturers, recommend NOT to rotate the tires. If you want to get the life out of your tires, rotate them, Nissan recommends it so do it. Read the owners manual, if it says to do it, then do it, if not then don't, also check with the tire manufacturer.

 

Excellent advice

 

You don't have to rotate... a friend never rotated and got almost 80,000 miles on the OE rear tires of his Civic (Michelin). Finally replaced them just 'cos he was tired of looking at the ugly things. Front tires, which handle the braking, cornering and acceleration forces in FWD car, he changed a couple times.

As tires age and wear the rubber compound changes, it gets harder (which makes it wear even longer) and rides rougher. Handling usually degrades too because the now harder compound is less sticky. Also, there is less tread to cushion the ride.

But all that tread depth also compromises handling with new tires (the tread squirms) so performance enthusiasts will have new tires shaved so they get the best of both... shallow tread and new, unchanged, sticky, rubber compound.

Many Max owners tend to want good performance and handling... front tires will wear real fast from hard cornering, especially if you have suspension mods (FSTB, RSB). Not due to the mods alone, but becuase the mods really let you throw the car into a corner and use the engine to pull you out (it's hard to resist, even in day-to-day driving.) Rotating gets the most out of all four tires but no, you do not have to rotate.

It is your choice. And you don't have to have periodic re-balancing either, only do it if you feel a balance problem (it is real obvious) or tire wear problem. But many tire stores now offer free rotation and balance when you buy from 'em so consider that too when you shop your next set of tires.

And, finally, I have found it real problematic getting the same exact tire two-years-after. That means different tires front and rear, kinda ugly.

BuddyWh

 

Not true.