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Peryn · 09-05-2003, 11:05 PM

"common misconception #1.
way back when radial tires were first developed (late 60s), there was some truth to this. however in the over thirty intervening years since, tire technology has advanced way beyond such limitations. the simple fact is that with todays tires, the ONLY reason to keep a tire on the same side of the car with respect to rotation is IF (and ONLY if) the tire is directional. of course, even with directional tires, you could swap side IF you wanted to go through the trouble of dismounting the tires from the wheels and remounting them so that when movting them to the other side of the vehicle the correct rotational direction is maintained. most people consider this too much hassle, though."

Well, almost completely true. The part about radials being able to go across the car is true. The part about directionals is only mostly true. The ONLY reason directional tires shouldn't be use the other direction is for traction. It has nothing to do with the belts or ply. In almost all cases you only lose a little bit of traction (which could reduce tire life) but other than that no real damage. I've heard that in places that have a winter (and even this wierd thing called snow) you get better traction through the snow with them rotating the wrong way. That might not be correct though... im still not sure what this winter thing is.

09-05-2003, 11:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	"common misconception #1. way back when radial tires were first developed (late 60s), there was some truth to this. however in the over thirty intervening years since, tire technology has advanced way beyond such limitations. the simple fact is that with todays tires, the ONLY reason to keep a tire on the same side of the car with respect to rotation is IF (and ONLY if) the tire is directional. of course, even with directional tires, you could swap side IF you wanted to go through the trouble of dismounting the tires from the wheels and remounting them so that when movting them to the other side of the vehicle the correct rotational direction is maintained. most people consider this too much hassle, though." Well, almost completely true. The part about radials being able to go across the car is true. The part about directionals is only mostly true. The ONLY reason directional tires shouldn't be use the other direction is for traction. It has nothing to do with the belts or ply. In almost all cases you only lose a little bit of traction (which could reduce tire life) but other than that no real damage. I've heard that in places that have a winter (and even this wierd thing called snow) you get better traction through the snow with them rotating the wrong way. That might not be correct though... im still not sure what this winter thing is. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.