Are the tires supposed to be rotated on our X-Types? This is my 1st AWD car.
If so, what is the correct rotation pattern? Can't find it in the owners manual.

Thanks!

 

Generally speaking, any car that has the same wheel size and offset front - to - rear (as your 'X' does) should be rotated in an "X" pattern. That being said: I try to change it up by every otjher rotation, just going clock-wise one space.
But I rotate every time I change oil, so your mileage may differ?

 

This has been brought up before. Arguements ensue.

Do you have directional tires? If so you'll have to have them unmounted from the rim and swapped accordingly to do an "X" style rotation.

My owners manual says not to rotate them (2002X). I'm serious. Although that may be more due to Jaguar footing the bill for the original service period than any real mechanical reason. Being AWD there are schools of thought that indicate it is pointless to rotate and it will only cause faster wear of the tires and you'll get more vibration.

Others rotate front to back on a regular basis.

Yet others check with the tire company warranty and follow that advice.

All of the above will report good results, some honest ones will report bad results. I've received conflicting advice from the dealer.

So, personally, I do not rotate my directional tires at all. And have had no wear issues since I had the alignment shop set the front toe to zero or very close to it.

In a nutshell, the decision is yours.

 

If my alignment is good and the car is running smooth I would never rotate. With radials you're not supposed to 'X' rotate anyway, that was from the old bias tire days. You won't find much difference in wear with the new tires the way they're built. Again, I'm a "if it aint broke don't fix it kind of guy".

 

WELL...
no arguments ehre, 'cuz y'all offer some logical ideas.

but for me: when I start seeing one tire wearing differntly than others (grnated, due more to the way I drive than anything else) then it's time to get that tire someplace else! :-)

 

I have directional tires and I just have them rotated front to back for free every 5000 miles. (Discount Tire ftw)

 

Should you swap the left and right front tires and the same for the rear on a 2006 XK8?
Or does the radial makeup make that unnecessary?
If swapped...how many miles between?
Thanks David

 

As "The Chris X" mentioned, check with the tire manufacturer! The tires on my VDP are made to be rotated using the "X" pattern or front to rear. On my Wife's X-Type, they are rotated front to rear.