To determine if your tire is directional, you need to examine the markings on the side of the tire, known as the sidewall.
Directional tires are specifically designed to perform optimally when rolling in one direction only. This design is often related to tread patterns that are effective at channeling water away from the tire's contact patch, which helps reduce hydroplaning and improves performance in wet conditions.
How to Check for Directional Marking
According to tire information, directional tyres are marked on the side, i.e. on the tyre's sidewall. This is the universal way manufacturers indicate the intended rotation direction.
Here's what to look for:
- Words: You will typically see the word "Rotation" or "Direction" written on the sidewall.
- Arrow: Next to the word (or sometimes just the word itself), there will be a small arrow.
What the Arrow Means
The arrow is the key indicator. It signifies the tire's forward direction or rolling direction when mounted on the vehicle.
- The tire must be installed so that the arrow points towards the front of the vehicle.
- If the tire is installed with the arrow pointing backwards, its performance, especially in wet weather, can be significantly reduced, and the tire might wear unevenly.
Practical Steps to Check Your Tire
- Locate your tire's sidewall.
- Look closely around the entire circumference of the sidewall.
- Search for the words "Rotation" or "Direction".
- If you find one of these words, look for an accompanying arrow.
- If you find the word and the arrow, your tire is directional.
Example:
You might see something like this on the sidewall:
- Rotation >
- Direction ->
If you do not find these specific markings (words like "Rotation" or "Direction" accompanied by an arrow), your tire is likely non-directional or possibly asymmetric.
Non-directional tires can be mounted on any wheel position and rotated in any direction without affecting performance. Asymmetric tires have different tread patterns on the inner and outer sides and are marked with "Inside" and "Outside" on the sidewall.
In summary, look for the "Rotation" or "Direction" label and the arrow on the tire's sidewall.
