Whats going on peeps,

Need some advice for my JaySeeDub.
The Odometer just clicked over 5600 miles this weekend and Im thinking about getting my first tire rotation. Should i wait for the first service (dashboard is telling me oil change at 8000 miles).

Also...

Should the tire rotation be done at the dealer? (i dont want Tire Kingdom/Tire Plus/Momos Tire Shop to screw up the TPMS)


thanks in advance!

 

I would go ahead and do the rotation. Would recommend you do it yourself (or find someone to help you) so you don't have to pay for it.

I don't think the dealer is necessary. Main thing to look for is a shop that uses an actual torque wrench when putting the wheels back on and not just screwing them down with the air gun.

I can't imagine anything related to a rotation that would mess up the TPMS. You will have to reset it after rotating as the computer will be confused by the relocation of the sensors.

 

So the sensors aren't specific to the hub they're on?

 

I recently took my car to the dealer for the included maintenance. Service tech recommended that I rotate tires front to rear. I mentioned that the car would have the wheels off anyway, so could they rotate them for me. The service writer told me that they could only do it if they balanced all four wheels and tires at a cost of $149. It is not covered by the included maintenance. I told him I would take care of it myself. As posted above get a friend with a torque wrench and do it yourself. Most service stations do not believe a torque wrench is necessary when they have a 3/4 impact wrench and 200psi on tap. This will insure that if you are ever stranded that the wheel will come off.

 

No damage will happen to the TPMS once you rotate. At worst you might need to reset the sensors (using the end of stalk options), but not 100% sure on that.

 

No, they are not. The computer will figure out which sensor is on which corner when it goes through the reset process.

 

Dealer will charge you (mine quoted about $60) and they balance. Do it about every 8-10k miles. Don't balance them unless they vibrate.

 

Awesome thanks for all the feedback!

 

If you live near a discount tire, they will rotate your tires for FREE regardless if you bought them from them.

Why get the jack out when they will do it for you!

Fronts to backs ONLY.

They will try to sell you a lifetime balance for about 15 bucks a tire. Not a bad deal.

I have mine rotated and balanced every 3000-5000 miles. Discount does it for free since I bought tires from them.

 

I actually rotate my tires myself. But only because I a) enjoy working on the MINI, b) it gives me a chance to inspect the brake pads, c) I can take some tread depth measurements, and d) if I'm really feeling energetic, I can wash and clean the insides of the rims.

Funny thing - I took my MINI by DT this weekend to get the tires rebalanced. I think this shop must not have many people take advantage of the lifetime balance if you buy from them unless there is a vibration. I wasn't getting any vibration, but just wanted to have them double-checked as I start getting near end of life. Seemed to catch them off guard. Even had one of the techs come in and tell me that due to some cupping and the lack of tread, the balance wouldn't get rid of all the vibration. This was also the first time I got a bunch of upsell attempts from them - they really wanted me to buy some new tires! Normally they are pretty laid back.

 

No MINI has an 8,000 mile OCI - The MINI's CBS brain is telling you 8,000 miles MORE to go......

Discount tire most def has earned a customer for life here recently - excellent service every time - price matching - pays for trade-ins of such evil incarnate as run-flats - free N2 to boot.

 

Yes I learned the hard way you have 8000 miles more to go

 

Discount tire is the place to be

 

You can rotate the tires yourself or have your local friendly service station do it. Rotation interval should be about every 3000 to 5000 miles. Don't forget to check your air pressures when you do it.

Whoever does it be sure to do the final tightening with a torque wrench. I think the correct settings are 88 lb/ft for the 12mm bolts and 103 for the 14mm bolts. Don't forget to re-torque all of the lug bolts after 50 miles of driving.

 

I learned from my first MINI (sold at 165K) to do regular rotation and balance. Tread lasts longer on all tires if rotation, balance and alignment are monitored. My new 2010 Clubman is now on a 6000 mi schedule regardless of what else the car's computer is telling me. I only went to Discount once and won't go back. Use the proper torque settings.

 

The wheel hanger tool gizmo really helps on MINI wheel rotations for the DIY crowd.... Since the MINI has lug bolts, rather than lug nuts. See link in my sig.

 

Looks like you've already found your answer. There is nothing exotic about tire rotation on your MINI, I have found I get much better life from my tires moving them front to rear around 5K as others have noted. On my previous JCW I waited too long and the "wear patterns" made them too noisy when I rotated them for the first time around 12K miles and had to move them back.

I take mine down to a neighborhood tire guy who does it for $20, it's worth it to me not to have to schlep them around.

 

I just did mine. When I take the wheel off I wash it inside and clean my calipers. It is so easy a stupid "CAVEMAN" can even do this. If you jack up the front the rear will also lift so you can remove the front wheel, wash it (if you want to) then remove the rear wheel and place front wheel on rear and wash the rear wheel. Put it on the front and let car down and do other side of car.

I did go to Lowes and purchase a torque wrench to put the proper torque on my lug bolts. I also put a little never sieze on the bolts as well as the hub lip that centers the wheel. I also got a couple of wheel hanger studs off E-Bay that makes the wheel much easier to put on.

This is a job I really like to do and I just take my time and when I'm done my wheels and red calipers are new looking and spiffy.

I do brake all of my lug bolts loose before jacking up the car to far. I do also like to change my oil ever 7,500 miles which works out to between the dealer changes. That is another story.

 

x2
Went with the lifetime rotation and balance plan as well.
Three of the four sensors remapped auto-magically when I ditched the runflats and all four reset during a subsequent rotation/balance.
Local DT is friendly enough (maybe I have just spent enough $$$ there over the years) that I am allowed to go into the bay to inspect the brake pads/rotors/suspension/etc.

 

The sales person told me the computer automatically adjusts oil service changes depending on driving habits.

My odo is currently reading 6300 and when i turn on the car it reads 7000 for service... if what you're saying is true, that would still be under the suggested 15k OCI

 

Yes, or 1 year whichever comes first.

 

+1 Mine said service 1500 after 13 months so I had to invoke the 1 year rule too.

Back on topic, I was shocked that tire rotation was not included in the "you don't even pay for wiper blades" maintenance plan. They wanted to charge 149.00 for balance and alignment. It really didn't need it (wear perfectly even all 4 tires, no shimmy/vibration, no pulling, no wandering), only rotation was needed (back tires simply do not wear on a lightweight FWD car) which is a piece of cake, and gives you time to really clean your wheels and give the car that showroom look.

 

well think about it .... if they didn't say in the owner's manual that tire rotation was not necessary they WOULD have to cover it under the maintenance plan. That would mean you'd be in the dealership every 7000 miles for a no charge visit that just eats unskilled mech & lift time. You might say it would be a chance for them to upsell. I say, if they WANTED that, they wouldn't be recommending oil changes at 15,000 intervals.

 

They could still state in the owner's manual that tire rotation was recommended (or even necessary) but exclude it from the maintenance plan.