TIRE ROTATION

Ideally, tires should be rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. When this is done consistently, the tires are more likely to maintain good handling and traction and deliver maximum tread life. However, it's important to remember that tire rotation alone cannot guard against rapid or uneven wear if your vehicle has faulty mechanical parts or improper tire inflation pressure.

Rotation Patterns Explained:

• Forward Cross - The most commonly used rotation pattern, designed primarily for front wheel drive vehicles - which most cars have.
• Rearward Cross - For rear wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• X-Cross - Also for rear wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles - but can also be used as an alternative to the Forward Cross method for front wheel drive vehicles.
• Front-to-Rear & Rear-to-Front - Primarily used for performance vehicles equipped with directional tires of the same size.
• Side-To-Side - Primarily used for vehicles equipped with non-directional tires of different sizes.

What about the spare tire? - If your spare tire is of the same size as the four tires in service, you should include that spare in your rotation pattern. Follow the manufacturer's recommended rotation sequence, or introduce the spare into the rotation pattern in the right rear position.

Temporary-use spares cannot be included in your tire rotation.

​Source - http://www.kumhousa.com/tire/basics/tire-rotation