Tires: TIRE ROTATION, michelin mx4, tire rotation pattern

Question
QUESTION: HI. I HAVE A 22 MONTH OLD TOYOTA ECHO.  MILEAGE = 24,000 KM. I HAVE MICHELIN MX4 ALL SEASON RADIAL TIRES.  CAR'S FRONT & REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL.  PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE WAS REPLACED IN MARCH THIS YEAR.  PASSENGER'S FRONT WAS REPLACED IN APRIL THIS YEAR.  DEALERSHIP SERVICE PERSON & MECHANIC ROTATED MY TIRES SO THAT NEWEST TIRES ENDED UP AT FRONT OF CAR. THAT IS, LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT TO RIGHT REAR.  I THOUGHT THAT RADIAL TIRES ARE MEANT TO BE ROTATED FRONT-REAR ONLY AND NOT TO CROSS SIDES, ESPECIALLY AFTER A TIRE HAS PACKED ON SOME MILEAGE.  MECHANIC SAID THAT RULE APPLIES ONLY IF THE TIRE IS A "ONE DIRECTIONAL" TIRE.  WHAT DO YOU SAY?

ANSWER: Hello,
The preferred tire rotation pattern for;

Rear and 4 wd light truck:
RF to LR
LF to RR
RR to RF
LR to LF

Front wheel drive vehicles:

LF to LR
RF to RR
LR to RF
RR to LF

LF = left front
RF = right front
LR = left rear
RR = right rear

However, I am more concern about the choice of tire placement.
Anytime you buy new tires, no matter if you have front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, all wheel drive or 4x4, you should place the new tire(s) on the rear ( replacing less then 4 tires ).  Old tires moved to the front.  
If you do not follow this, you will have less control, handling and braking.
To see a video on this, go to:

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-care/tire-basics/

copy and paste the link.
Click on:
Where should you put two new tires?

Hope this helps,
John


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the above answer!  So there is no problem to move an older tire on a front wheel drive vehicle to the opposite side (instead of the normal recommended front-rear rotation)?  My understanding is that moving a tire to the opposite side will work the radial beads in the opposite direction that the tire has grown accustomed to flexing, which will have an effect on control and promotes faster wear.  Please clarify for me.

Thks.

Answer
The "normal recommended" rotation for
Front wheel drive vehicles:

LF to LR
RF to RR
LR to RF
RR to LF

Side to side or as known as front to rear is an alternative not the preferred.

Also, when buying new tires, older tires should always be placed on the front with newer tires on the back.

As for radial belts.  Glad you asked about that.  Most people do not even think of this.
There is two things here.
1- The radial belts do have a memory, but it will forum a new memory.  So yes it is ok.
2- I have always recommend that you stick to one rotation for best memory and reduce any chance of a blow out.

Faster wear happens when you do not rotate the tires.

Here is how this works.
Every 6000 miles you have a tire rotation.  When you have a rotation every 6000 miles using the tire pattern above, the radial belts do not have a chance to forum a memory.  Giving you better even wear.
But, when you have a side to side rotation like the one you asked about 24000 miles later, will have a memory.

Honest you should be fine.  But if you want piece of mind or to make sure, then put the tires back and do a side to side rotation.

Hope this helps,
John