Asymmetrical tires- tires with a different tread pattern on the outside and inside of the treadmill. They are indicated by the following inscriptions on the sidewall of the wheel: “Outside”, “Inside”, “Facing Out”, “Side Facing Inwards”, etc.
Symmetrical tires- these tires have a symmetrical tread, cord and sidewall design. They can be installed on the car in any position.
Directional tires- car tires with a strictly directional tread pattern; the direction of rotation of such wheels is indicated by an arrow on the sidewall of the wheel. Marked with the inscription “Rotation” and an arrow in the direction of rotation.
“Left” and “Right” tires are terms that designate wheels, when installing which it is necessary to strictly observe the conditions for installing them on the car: “right” only on the right, “left” only on the left.
You can recognize them by the “Right” or “Left” markings on the side of the wheel.
If there are no such inscriptions on the sidewall of the tire, then the tires of this model are not divided into “Left” and “Right”, regardless of whether they have a tread pattern: directional or asymmetrical.
These concepts are not mutually exclusive; asymmetrical and directional tires can be found at the same time. Several years ago the company produced asymmetrical “Left” and “Right” tires.
But at the moment, asymmetric tires with a given direction of rotation are not produced, since “Left” and “Right” tires do not provide any particular advantages in the characteristics of the wheel, and at the same time, such a solution greatly increases the cost of production and creates additional problems in warehouses and stores.
Tire design features.
Currently, asymmetric tires: both summer and winter tires are increasingly gaining popularity among motorists. The inner part of the asymmetric tire is made softer than the outer part, this is due to the fact that the load when cornering mainly falls on the outer part of the wheel. This significantly improved the car's handling. Also, in general, an increase in the area of contact between the tire and the road surface had a positive effect on the directional stability of the vehicle. In addition, due to the fact that the tread blocks on the outer side of the asymmetric tire are larger than on the inner side, drainage is improved when driving on wet road surfaces, which has a positive effect on the tendency to reduce the likelihood of aquaplaning.Although directional tires have better performance in draining water from the contact patch between the wheel and the road, they are still inferior to asymmetric tires in terms of directional stability and controllability. But the risk of avalanching for directional tires is much less due to the fact that the active drainage of water from the contact patch is carried out in both directions.
The appearance of “left” and “right” tires on the market was also due to the manufacturer’s desire to make driving as safe as possible, but, unfortunately, it turned out to be somewhat hasty. We can say that the designers of automobile tires were somewhat overzealous and did not provide for some factors. Firstly, the production of such wheels significantly increased the cost of production, which was reflected in the retail price; secondly, there was confusion at suppliers' warehouses; thirdly, it was not clear to the consumer which spare tire to take with them: left or right, because It is not known on which side the tire will puncture. Due to these factors, tire manufacturers currently do not produce strictly “left-handed” or “right-handed” tires.
Features of tire installation.
Installation of asymmetric tires
Installation Rules asymmetric tires intuitive and quite simple.When installing a wheel with an asymmetric tire on a car, its outer part should be labeled Outside (or similar from different manufacturers: External, This side facing outwards, Side facing outwards, etc.), while at the same time the inscription on the inside of the wheel Inside ( aka: Side facing inwards, This side facing inwards) remains invisible to you, because this side is directed towards the car.
Simply put, with the correct installation of asymmetric wheels, when walking around the car, you should only see the words Outside on the tires.
Installation of directional tires
Directional tires it is installed so that when the car is moving forward, the direction of rotation of the wheel coincides with where the arrow on the sidewall next to the inscription Rotation points.
"Left" and "right" tires, as mentioned above, are installed accordingly strictly on the sides of the car, which correspond to the inscription on the tread Right (right) or Left (left) (as the car moves forward).
Installation of symmetrical tires
Symmetrical tires They have neither external sides nor a given direction of rotation and therefore can be installed in any position.We also note that if asymmetrical or directional tires are installed incorrectly on a car, the performance of the vehicle during its operation worsens.
Incorrect “working” of tires in this case negates all the efforts of designers aimed at giving the wheels improved characteristics. If you are forced to drive a car with incorrectly installed wheels (if there are simply no other options), you must be extremely vigilant on the road and move at a speed of no more than 80 km/h.
We hope that our tips will help you when checking your installation work
The question “why did they bring me all four right (or left) asymmetric tires?” Most attentive car owners ask when delivering tires.
Let’s answer right away: “right”, as well as “left”, asymmetric tires are not currently available.
A few years ago, the Nokian company had Nokian asymmetric directional tires (model NRV), which were “left” and “right”. But it turned out that this decision caused a lot of inconvenience.
Firstly, it complicated and increased the cost of production. Secondly, these inconveniences were associated with the fact that it often turned out that only left-hand tires remained in one warehouse, and only right-hand tires in another. Thirdly, it was unclear which spare tire to buy, because no one knows which tire will go flat or become unusable.
Imagine a situation where you bought 5 tires, two left and three right, logically believing that there is a shoulder on the right and there are more holes and debris that can damage the tire. By the way, according to statistics, it is the right wheels that suffer more often than the left ones. But, by coincidence, it was the left tire that became unusable! And having 4 tires of the same model (one left and three right), you still cannot equip the car with tires.
It is for these reasons that manufacturers currently do not produce left and right asymmetrical car tires.
Then a reasonable question arises: does it turn out that asymmetric tires on the left “work” differently than on the right?
Yes exactly. When identical asymmetrical tires are on the right, then part of the water is thrown out, as it were, inward, backwards, and if they are on the left, then they throw the water inward forward.
How does all this work and does it interfere with driving in the rain? Numerous tests and studies from major tire manufacturers have shown that this tire design does not affect handling.
Asymmetrical tread patterns come to us from motorsports. And they still remain the most effective at high speeds, especially in terms of good directional stability when turning and informative driving. It is asymmetric tires that are now conquering the car tire market. They have many advantages over symmetrical and directional tires.
- Excellent car handling due to the fact that the outer sidewall of the tire (indicated on the tire - outside), which is much more loaded when turning, is made denser and with larger tread blocks. And the internal one, on which the load is much less, is, on the contrary, softer. This results in a good contact patch between the tire and the road and excellent vehicle handling.
- The versatility of the spare wheel. Unlike directional tires, asymmetrical tires do not need to be remounted on the rim in a different direction when mounting the wheel from right to left (or vice versa). After all, the outer side of an asymmetric tire placed on a wheel will always remain outer, both when installing the wheel on the left or on the right.
This is why asymmetrical tires have become so popular and in demand, despite the fact that they drain water from the contact patch slightly differently.
Large companies producing asymmetric tires (such as Michelin, Nokian, Goodyear, Continental) conduct a huge amount of research, developing and testing various options for tire designs, tread patterns and rubber compounds. Therefore, when buying tires from well-known manufacturers, you can safely trust them in this aspect.
The only thing is that after the tire shop has installed asymmetric tires on your car, it is advisable to check that they are installed correctly.
The inner side of the tire is designated INSIDE, and the outer side OUTSIDE. Therefore, if you see the inscription OUTSIDE on all tires (on the sidewalls) when walking around the car, then everything is installed correctly (you should not see INSIDE inscriptions on the outside of the car).
Some asymmetric tire manufacturers designate the outside of the tire as: This side facing outwards, Side facing outwards or External. And the inside of the tire (Inside): This side facing inwards or Side facing inwards.
The season for changing car tires from winter to summer begins when the roads are clear of snow. Studded tires are no longer suitable for driving on asphalt, as strong friction occurs. When buying tires, you need to make sure that they are the same in everything (size, markings, tread pattern).
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Bridgestone summer tires are available for a variety of vehicles, from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks. The range of models is large and every car enthusiast can find something to his liking. Some tires are made with the latest technology and allow the car to move even after they are punctured.
The tires provide excellent maneuverability in bad weather, help consume less fuel and increase safety. Bridgestone tires are designed so that the shoulder block is mostly in contact with the road, and the tread provides good turn-in.
Types of tires and basic concepts
Regardless of the purpose of the tires, whether they are tires for passenger cars or for SUVs, they are divided into the following main types:
- Bridgestone symmetrical car tires. The tires have a symmetrical tread, cord and sidewall design. Tires are less technical than asymmetrical or directional tires. They are characterized by lower cost. Symmetrical tires provide good road stability. This is one of the main advantages. The disadvantage is that tire performance and behavior on wet roads cannot be optimized. This type of tire is intended for small city cars. They can be installed on the car in any position.
- Bridgestone asymmetric tires. This type has a different pattern on the inside and outside of the treadmill. Each aspect is important when assessing quality. The inner side of the tire has an open area for water drainage. It reduces the risk of hydroplaning. The outer side has a tread pattern that gives it rigidity, which ensures cornering stability and maneuverability. On the side surface of the wheel there are symbols: “Inside”, “Outside” and others. Asymmetrical tires are more expensive than symmetrical ones.
- Bridgestone directional car tires. These are tires whose tread pattern has a strict direction. The direction of rotation of these wheels is indicated on the sidewall with an arrow-shaped pattern. The marking is usually the inscription “Rotation” and a drawing. This type of tire is effective on wet roads. In case of heavy rain, rapid drainage of water is ensured. The tread pattern improves motor skills even on snowy surfaces. These tires are prized among sports car enthusiasts.
Installation of wheels requires strict adherence to rules and conditions. Therefore, tires are divided into two more types:
- "Left". Installed on the left only. The wheels are identified by the word “Left” on the sidewall.
- "Rights". They are installed, accordingly, strictly to the right. They are marked “Right” on the sidewall.
If there are no such inscriptions on the wheels, then such car tires are not divided into “Right” and “Left”. And this does not even depend on the tread pattern. Directional and at the same time asymmetrical car tires can be produced.
One type does not exclude the other. But at the moment this is rare, since “Right” and “Left” Bridgestone tires do not provide any advantages.
In the case when tires are changed in pairs at once, it is recommended to put new tires with a tread pattern that is not yet worn out on the rear axle, and leave the old ones on the front. This will enable the driver to better control the car on a wet track.
Installation of asymmetric car tires
Installing Bridgestone asymmetric tires is quite easy and intuitive. When installing tires of this type, the outer part must have the inscription “Outside” or similar. For example: “Facing outwards” or “External”. On the inner surface there should be the inscription “Inside”. The main thing is not to confuse the inside with the outside.
Although handling and traction will not be significantly affected, manufacturers warn against using tires in this way, as this can lead to uneven wear of the tread, as well as increased noise and unnecessary vibration. The “Inside” inscription remains invisible during installation because it is directed towards the car. Thus, a sign that asymmetric tires are installed correctly is that only the “Outside” inscription is visible.
If asymmetrical tires are installed incorrectly, the car is less controlled when driving. You need to be careful when driving with incorrectly installed wheels and not exceed the speed limit.
Bridgestone directional tires must be installed so that when the vehicle is driven forward, the wheel will move in the direction of the directional arrow on the sidewall of the tire near the "Rotation" sign.
As mentioned earlier, “Right” and “Left” car tires are installed strictly on their sides in accordance with the inscriptions on the tread.
Installation of symmetrical tires
Bridgestone's symmetrical tires have no outside side and do not have a specified rotation direction or installation direction. For these reasons, they can be placed in any position, and can also be swapped without fear of making a mistake.
If Bridgestone symmetrical tires are installed incorrectly, the car will experience worse control when driving. You need to be careful when driving with incorrectly installed wheels and not exceed the speed limit.
Start installation
The best source of information on how to properly remove and install tires is the vehicle's owner's manual. It contains a lot of useful recommendations and tips.
The installation sequence is as follows:
- To remove old car tires, you need to unscrew the nuts. It is advisable to use hand tools rather than power tools for this purpose. It will be more secure. Impact wrenches are good tools, but not everyone knows how to use them. A regular wrench works best. The nuts do not need to be completely unscrewed, but simply loosened.
- The car must be jacked up and this must be done only on a flat surface. After this, you can unscrew the nuts completely and remove the wheels.
- New Bridgestone tires should be placed opposite the old ones. You can’t mix up tires, so each one must take its own position. This is why we need drawings and inscriptions on the sidewalls of the wheels. It is definitely worth checking the wheel nuts and their condition. You need to loosen them and tighten them. If there is significant resistance or any roughness, then such defects must be corrected before installing the wheels. There are kits for thread restoration. They will help.
- It is necessary to carefully clean the surfaces of the drums and brake discs from dirt and rust.
- The wheel fit needs to be checked. The slightest deviation of the center of the hub from the center of the disc causes the wheel to shake.
- To check that the bolts and nuts match the thread sizes, they must be installed without wheels. They should turn without using a key.
- The disk seats and bolts must be treated with an anti-corrosion agent. You can use wax spray.
- If all the previous steps went well, then the wheels can be installed.
- This step performs post-installation checks. You need to run your hand over each wheel and make sure that the edges of the discs do not touch the inside of the rim.
So, all the main types of summer tires and how to properly install new tires on a car were considered. If you are afraid to carry out the procedure yourself, then the correct installation of Bridgestone tires should be carried out by specialists.
