I'm currently running Michelin RainForce tires on my 1992 190E. The tires only have 5000 miles on them and I just rotated them last week. I moved the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front, while keeping them so that they rotate in the same direction. I've heard that this is an old way of rotating and that they don't have to be kept rotating in the same direction like they used to be. Most people told me that I should move the back tires to the front and then criss-cross the tires that I am putting on the back that came from the front. My manual says that the tires shouldn't reverse direction when they are rotated. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Also, how important is it to torque the lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. per the recommendations of my manual? I don't have a torque wrench but have been thinking about purchasing one. Thanks for your help.