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tire tread direction
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 7:29 am
by omegax
i recently baught stock wrx rims and tires, FYI they fit fine no problem no rubbing on a 1991 legacy sedan. I noticed when i put the tires on that one of the treads was in a differnet direction, i thought maybe i put a left on the right side or something but turned out that 3 tires are in one direction and the 4th si in another. how does this effect the car handle if at all?? I will get them flipped over unless it does not matter.
Konrad
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 7:40 am
by BAC5.2
If the tires are directional, then they are designed for the side of the car that is printed on the sidewall.
While using one on the other side probably isn't going to kill you, it's not the optimum direction per manufacturer specs.
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 7:47 am
by evolutionmovement
If the sidewall has an arrow on it and a tread pattern that's obviously directional you should have them all face the correct way. Facing the wrong way could completely ruin its ability to handle rain especially.
Steve
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 7:51 am
by vrg3
It'll probably give you more trouble in the rain than in the dry. In the rain the tire going the wrong way won't shed water right and will be more prone to hydroplaning and such.
I didn't think stock WRX Potenza RE92 tires were directional, though.
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 8:50 am
by omegax
I dont belive they are and it has actualy been raining all day in NY and will continue all week
. I have not had any trouble actualy even with these stock tires which i have heard arent the greatest they are 10 times better than my old cheap generic tires. I dont see any arrows on the side wall, which is what i first looked at but the tires have a tread that looks directional, not as obvious as lets say aquatred tires.
Konrad
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 6:11 pm
by vrg3
Ah. All directional dires (as far as I know) have to have the arrow on the sidewall.
The RE92s, and many other non-directional tires, have a tread pattern that ... (hmm, how best to describe it?) ... goes "forwards" on one side and "backwards" on the other side. So it kind of looks like two directional tires smushed into one:
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/br ... _ci1_l.jpg
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:08 pm
by omegax
yeah thats what messed me up i only looked on one side, as you said they look like a different direction on each side. My rear turned out to need a small spacer but they fit, i think my springs are shot in the rear too its been low since i baught it
