The answer may not be so simply since the Fiero use different tires sizes for front and back. So what's the correct way?

You can't rotate them with different sizes front and rear. Once the radials start wearing in a certain direction or rotation if you put them on the other side of the car you will feel some vibration. You should only go front to back on the same side.

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Earl Rice
87 T-Top GT
5 Spd
3400 Gen III Turbo in progress

quote Originally posted by FieroGT87: Once the radials start wearing in a certain direction or rotation if you put them on the other side of the car you will feel some vibration. You should only go front to back on the same side.

I don't agree with this.

When I was autocrossing my Formula I changed from street tires to race tires and back every weekend. I never paid attention to which side the tires were on and never had any vibration.

Similarly, when I install the snow tires on my van every year I put them on the opposite side from last year to put the sharp edges in front. Again, no vibration ever.

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Doug Chase
Chase Race
Custom roll cage and exhaust fabrication

Most performance tires ARE direction sensitive, (they have an arrow indicating the tire rotation direction) and I would highly recomend that you install them in the right direction. It could have deadly effects especially in the rain with the tread going the wrong way. For directional tires and different sized front to back you can't rotate.

Rotating tires is overrated anyway. All it does is allow all 4 of your tires to wear out at the same time versus the fronts wearing out first. Personally I would rather replace my tires in pairs versus all 4 at a time, (less out of my pocket at one time)

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 04-07-2004).]

Directional tires can't be turned around, but a basic radial tire can be. Just look at any new car's owner's manual. For tire rotations, they typically instruct you to move the drive-axle tires directly to the non-drive axle, but keep them on the same side, yet they tell you to criss-cross the non-drive axle tires when moving them to the drive-axle. So, if you had a RWD car, with all four tires being the same size, you'd move the LR to LF, and the RR to RF, and the LF would go the RR, and the RF would go the LR. Now, on a car (such as the Fiero) you couldn't do that, because you have big tires up front, and little tires out back.

So, I wouldn't worry about it, but assuming that you don't have directional tires, I don't see why you couldn't cross them from side-to-side if you're determined to move them around.

**EDIT** Also, if you were going to be driving on a circle track, you'd want the less worn tire on the outside, but at HPT for Wheatstock's Track Day event this summer, their road course has both left and right turns. Consequently, you should have nice, even tire wear... So sign up! We need more people! Ok, I'm done post-whoring... Back to tire rotation information. **EDIT**

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Nic
1987 GT 5-spd, 119,000+ miles,

Getting ready for the summer driving season!!!!

[This message has been edited by musicman_L7 (edited 04-07-2004).]

I use directional tires, so the combination of directional tires, different front and rear tire sizes, and different front and rear wheel widths means I can't rotate my tires.

Thats the same thing I do, just buy pairs. Put the best 2 on the rear, 2 news on front. Since Im not into burnouts, I usually use 2 sets of fronts per pair of rears.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: I use directional tires, so the combination of directional tires, different front and rear tire sizes, and different front and rear wheel widths means I can't rotate my tires.

Correct. The only way that it could be done (if they're not an asymmetrical pattern, as well), is if you had the tires dismounted from the rims, and then remounted on the rims for the opposite side. But, for what that would cost, with mounting/dismounting four tires, and balancing four tires, it would probably pay for a good chunk of your next set of tires. I would just run them, and replace the front or rear pair as needed.

Nic

quote Originally posted by musicman_L7: Correct. The only way that it could be done (if they're not an asymmetrical pattern, as well), is if you had the tires dismounted from the rims, and then remounted on the rims for the opposite side. But, for what that would cost, with mounting/dismounting four tires, and balancing four tires, it would probably pay for a good chunk of your next set of tires. I would just run them, and replace the front or rear pair as needed. Nic

I totally agree........directional and diff sizes.........cannot rotate......or should not rotate.

Phil

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87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd

GM auto tech for 27 years. Specializing in electrical and computer problems. I will never be able to return as an auto tech again. I get EXTREME satisfaction helping others and will go to Extreme levels to help you if you need help. I have LOTS of free time on my hands. This forum and the help I give, allow me to have a purposeful life. Bring on the problems......LOL.