I have about 16k on my tires (275/45/20 Goodyear GTII), and as usual, my rear tires have significantly more wear . I know that its been negligent on my part, but I have never rotated them. Would it be ok to just swap the front and rear tires? Would rotating them after all these miles cause a problem? Which rotation pattern is best to use?

I rotated my wife's focus' tires after quite a few miles and afterwards it rode like crap and felt like it was going to rip the car apart while coming to a stop. I guess each tire had 'settled in' to its respective corner and didn't take to the rotation well at all.

I'll be needing new tires within the next 5k miles anyways....what tires would you 20" wheel guys recommend (besides GTII)?

 

I usally rotate about every other oil change. Switch front to back and swap sides on the drive wheels.

 

I've got the Kumho Ecsta STX 305/50-20's and they've been good to me so far for about 20K miles. Good traction and handling, dry and wet (something that can't be said about the GT II's). Plus are really good price - probably the best price/performance value out there. I did a lot of research and it was between these and the Nittos. Problem with both of these tires is that they're directional, which limits your rotation to front-to-back only. I hear Michelin just came out with a uni-directional tire that I'm sure I'll have a look at when the Kumhos wear out. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you end up doing.

 

When I rotate my tires (every 5k miles) I put the backs straight the front and criss cross the fronts to the rear.

 

i will second that procedure!

 

Yep, this is the "plan" as I have done this for well over 20 years now.