My co-worker told me that all Radial tires, which I think are the tires we all use for the Maxima, can ONLY be rotated front to back and back to front BUT NOT side to side or diagnal.

Is this correct?

 

It depends on the type of tire you are rotating ,
Some can only be front and back , while others can be any way.

The stock tires that come with the maxima , can be rotated either front to back or side to side

 

Incorrect. My 2002 SE Can not be rotated side to side. It can only rotated front to rear (according to the manual)

Stereodude

 

One more thing...

It depends on whether your tires have an asymetrical tread pattern or not. If they're asymetrical they can not be rotated side to side. If they're symetrical they can be rotated side to side.

Stereodude

 

I prefer to go front to back only. Once a tire has been wore in, I like to keep it spinning the same direction for it's life span. I had a few tire problems, tread issues, when I changed the tires rotation direction.

 

The preferred way to rotate them if you have non-directional radials is called the modified X.

The front two tires go straight to the back, you cross the right rear tire to the left front, you cross the left rear tire to the right front.

If you workout the pattern on paper, you will notice after a few rotations each tire will eventually be used at each of the four corners on the car. This will allow for the most even wear.

Please note that with directional tires you cannot follow this pattern

 

I would trust what the manual says then.

I usually rotate my tires front to back, But I have Michelin Pilot sports A/S's so I'm different