How to install symmetrical tires. How to determine directional tires or not. Tire asymmetry is not always visible

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", however, as well as "left" asymmetric tires are not produced at the moment.

A few years ago, Nokian had Nokian asymmetric directional tires (NRV model) that were "left" and "right". But it turned out that this decision caused a lot of inconvenience.

First, it made production more complex and expensive. Secondly, these inconveniences were due to the fact that it often turned out that only the left tires remained in one warehouse, and only the right tires in the other. Thirdly, it was not clear which one to buy. spare wheel, because no one knows which tire will flatten or become unusable.

Imagine a situation where you bought 5 tires, two left and three right, logically assuming that there is a curb 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 fell into disrepair! And with 4 tires of the same model (one left and three right), you still cannot fit the car with tires.

It is for these reasons that manufacturers now do not manufacture left and right asymmetric car tires.

Then a reasonable question arises, it turns out that asymmetric tires on the left “work” differently than on the right?

Yes exactly. When identical asymmetric tires are on the right, then part of the water is thrown, as it were, inward and backward, and if they are on the left, then they throw water inward and forward.

How does all this work and does it interfere with the control 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 from motorsport. And they still remain the most efficient at high speeds, especially in terms of good directional stability in turns and informative driving. It is asymmetric tires that are now conquering the car tire market. They have many advantages over symmetrical and directional tires.

1. Excellent handling of the car, due to the fact that the outer sidewall of the tire (indicated on the tire - outside), which is much more loaded in the corner, 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 tire-to-road contact patch and excellent handling.
2. Spare wheel versatility. Unlike directional tires, asymmetric tires do not need to be reinserted onto the rim in the other direction when the wheel is mounted from right to left (or vice versa). After all, the outer side of an asymmetric tire put on a rim will always remain outside, both when the wheel is installed on the left and right.

That is why asymmetric tires have become so popular and in demand, despite the fact that they drain water from the contact patch in slightly different ways.

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 composition. Therefore, when buying tires from well-known manufacturers, you can safely trust them in this aspect.

The only thing is that after you have asymmetric tires installed on your car in a tire shop, it is advisable to check that they were installed correctly.

The inner side of the bus is designated INSIDE, and the outer side is OUTSIDE. Therefore, if on all tires (on the sidewalls) you, bypassing the car, see the OUTSIDE inscription, then everything is installed correctly (you should not see the INSIDE inscriptions outside the car).

Some manufacturers of asymmetric tires designate the outer side of the tire (Outside) as: This side facing outwards, Side facing outwards or External. And the inner side of the tire (Inside): This side facing inwards or Side facing inwards.

Each driver must take care of his car, monitor its condition. Tires play an important role in comfortable driving. They are responsible for traction and ease of turns on difficult sections of the track. Now the market offers drivers several types of protectors, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Tire types

All tires can be divided into three types of tread patterns:

• asymmetric;
• symmetric;
• directed.

Symmetrical protectors are most often used, which are universal option.

Directional tires have a special tread pattern designed for use in rainy weather. The rubber texture ensures optimal water drainage, which increases the grip of the car in the rain.

Asymmetric bus: difference from other types

An asymmetric tire is a tread made up of two parts with a different pattern. This feature of the wheel also gives rise to the name "rubber". The pattern was invented because of the different behavior of the tires in different situations. This tread variant is optimal for use on dry and wet roads, in summer and winter.

The outer side of the tread is made of hard rubber and has a large pattern. This part of the wheel bears the main load during sharp or long turns. The asymmetrical tread of the tires provides excellent traction and improves the vehicle's maneuvering behavior. The inner part of the tire is made of more soft rubber and is equipped with special "ditches" that drain water. This design feature provides an increase in the traction spot of vehicles with the road during rainy weather.

An asymmetric tire pattern is not only an improved behavior of a vehicle, but also a special tread mark. Based on different situations on the road, some manufacturers have decided to combine the two types of "rubber". Until recently, they produced directional asymmetric tires, but soon the companies decided to abandon production. This is because there is no difference in water drainage between directional and asymmetric treads. Custom pattern tires do an excellent job of reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

Are there any benefits?

There is a difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical tires, and it lies in the behavior of the car. If the first option is best used during long straight trips, the route of which excludes a large number of repetitions, then the non-standard tread pattern has become a universal option. Thanks to the optimal load distribution, these tires provide the driver with easy and comfortable driving.

The use of asymmetric tires significantly reduces the risk of skidding on ice. They allow the vehicle to enter tight turns without hindrance. At the same time, the driver practically does not risk losing control and getting into an accident.

The correct configuration of the tire has significantly increased its service life. Conventional tires with symmetrical pattern often fell into disrepair due to abrasion outside... In the asymmetric version, it is stiffer and more wear-resistant, which extends the life of the tire by at least a year.

Correct installation is the key to quick and comfortable movement

Once upon a time, manufacturers produced different tires: right and left. Now there is no difference - all tires are suitable for fitting on both sides of the car. Asymmetric tires, the tread of which is made of rubber of varying degrees of hardness, require only one thing - installation in accordance with the marking.

Since the pattern on the two tread parts is different, it must be ensured that the wheel is installed correctly. These tires are marked “outside” on the outside, and “inside” on the inside.

The installation of asymmetric tires should be carried out in a specialized service center. It is necessary not only to correctly mount the "rubber" on the disk, but also to inflate it. And in general, special equipment is required to balance tires. Self-performance of work can lead to undesirable consequences in the form of deterioration in vehicle control.

Features of operation

Asymmetric tires operate in the same way as other tires. The only recommendation is to swap tires in a timely manner. It is necessary to rearrange them from the front axle to the rear axle and vice versa. This will ensure optimal and uniform wear tires, which will increase traction and overall behavior of your vehicle.

It is also recommended to buy new sets of tires at least every two seasons (if vehicle has an annual mileage of more than 15,000 kilometers). Any tire that has been in use for more than a year gradually loses its high performance characteristics.

An asymmetrical tire pattern is not only a beautiful tread mark. Such tires increase your capabilities, make your car easier to drive, and make it more stable. In extreme weather conditions, traction is increased, which has a beneficial effect on the overall behavior of the vehicle.

Direction of tire rotation

If the car drives to the side while driving and the tires wear off quickly - why can this be?

Did you make repeated descent - collapse, but the problem does not disappear? This may mean that the tires are not installed correctly.

Before installing the rubber, it is necessary to determine the direction of the tire, because almost every tire has a unique tread pattern that fully reveals itself, only with the correct installation.

Classification

Everything car tires are subdivided according to the direction of the tire pattern, forming several classifications:

Important: when installing the wheels, it is necessary that all inscriptions "Inward" are installed in the direction of the driver!

Definition

It is quite easy to correctly determine the direction of rotation of the tire - when the car moves forward, the "Herringbone (tread pattern)" should first touch road surface... When stopping, it is necessary that the tread pattern looks in the opposite direction.

The method of determination is suitable for both summer tires, and to the winter.

Rotation

Some tires (eg Bridgestone) can be rearranged. This is done only crosswise. This means that it is possible to drive 45-60 thousand kilometers, and then change the location of the wheels. In place of the right rear, it is possible to put the front left, and on the left rear - the front right. This can be done with the front wheels, but in a strictly defined order.

If the direction of movement of the tire is specified, the wheels are rearranged on one side, i.e. front tires are changed to rear tires and vice versa.

When the tires are symmetrical, it is possible to change the arrangement in any order.

Mounting

Fitting asymmetrical Bridgestone tires does not require highly skilled skills if you remember a few guidelines. The inscriptions "Inside", "Outside" must be strictly established according to the rules.

Directional tires must be installed so that when driving, the wheel moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. When installing, it is necessary to focus on forward movement.

Symmetrical (no directional) tires are optional. Therefore, they do not have any instructions for installation.

Important: if at least one wheel is installed incorrectly, then driving will deteriorate sharply, and tires will quickly deteriorate!

Installation is best done as follows:

Competent installation of summer, winter or all season tires ensures that the tires reveal their maximum driving performance, and car owners will be able to feel comfortable and safe at any time of the year, and on any road surface.

Each element of the tire design on the modern market, each of the technologies, thanks to which tires acquire certain properties, is the fruit of many years of work by engineers working in the laboratories of manufacturers around the world.

Various elements of the frame and materials selected for the manufacture of these elements can increase the strength and reliability of tires. Innovative solutions aimed at improving the composition of the rubber compound make the tires more resistant to wear and tear. The tread pattern determines the controllability of the car, individual elements of the pattern can increase the cross-country ability or achieve better contact of the tire with the road surface.

Despite the abundance of technological solutions available in the arsenal of the largest manufacturers, it is impossible to create a universal model that would surpass other tires in all respects. Therefore, in the tire line from each manufacturer, a whole range of models is offered, each of which is suitable for specific operating conditions. These conditions are:

• parameters of the car itself (weight, speed characteristics, engine power);
• the quality and type of road surface (smooth asphalt, broken roads, off-road);
• seasonality, weather factors (summer heat, slush, snow, frost)

What affects the tread pattern

If the reliability of the tire, its ability to withstand high operating loads, then the quality of adhesion on different types coatings, vehicle handling, speed capabilities, noise levels and comfort levels all depend on the tread pattern.

The tread pattern, like other elements of the tire, cannot be universal, the same tire model cannot equally provide the car at the same time, for example, high-speed performance on asphalt, and at the same time provide the car with high off-road capability.

Types of tread pattern

Therefore, the tread pattern must be matched to a certain set of operating conditions and the needs of the motorist. In total, there are four types of tread pattern, each of which has its own advantages within the operating conditions for which the tire was created, as well as a number of disadvantages that appear when rubber is used in conditions unusual for this model.

That is, with an increase in some characteristics, a decrease in other properties of the tire will certainly occur. The more versatile the model is, the less opportunities the tire can provide to the driver in certain conditions. So, if the tire is focused on high-speed driving on asphalt, it will be of little use in off-road conditions. And if the model is positioned as a universal one, it can be used in any conditions, however, both the speed characteristics and the level of cross-country ability will be more modest than tires designed directly for high-speed driving or off-roading can offer.

• Symmetric not directional protector
• Asymmetric not directional protector

However, the tread pattern itself is not a guarantee that the selected tire will be ideal for a certain set of conditions. The performance of a tire is also greatly influenced by the composition of the rubber compound (elasticity or hardness of the rubber), the quality of the product (the level of workmanship), and Extra options- it all depends on the good name of the manufacturer (brand) and, of course, the price.

Symmetrical non-directional protector

The tread with a symmetrical non-directional pattern is quite versatile. Such a pattern determines the ability of the car to move on roads with any surface, it is applied both to summer tires and to winter tires... Tires with symmetrical directional tread are most often equipped with new cars.

Symmetrical directional tires are great for mixed-cycle riders and are designed with more emphasis on comfort and handling than on speed. Accordingly, the tires are well suited for motorists who prefer a measured driving style, and are ideal for urban environments where speed limits do not allow the car to reach its full potential.

It is this pattern that is most often used for tires of a "special" orientation - off-road tires, off-road tires, tires for mixed cycle movement.

Installation

The versatility of the tire also determines the possibility of its installation not only on any axle, but also in any direction relative to the movement. This feature allows you to additionally adjust the degree of wear of the entire set of tires, swapping them depending on the degree of wear.

disadvantages

But on the track, tires with a symmetrical non-directional pattern demonstrate a very limited opportunities(relative to tires with a different type of pattern). Tires do not hold the road so well at speed; when moving through puddles, the effect of aquaplaning may occur (due to insufficiently rapid drainage of water from the contact patch). The tires are not very suitable for dynamic maneuvering, since they are more designed for a comfortable ride and are characterized by low control information content.

Summary

Despite this, symmetrical non-directional tires are the most practical because they allow you to drive on any road with a sufficiently high comfort and with a minimum noise level (as determined by the location of the blocks). This is the type of tire that is most suitable as a spare wheel. Even if tires with a different type of tread are installed on the car, the universal spare wheel will allow you to get to the nearest service station without any problems.

Advantages	disadvantages
Can be installed on any wheel (wear regulation);	Decreased running properties with increasing speed
Versatility - suitable for driving on any surface;	Insufficiently efficient water drainage at high speed (aquaplaning)
Perfect design for a spare wheel;	Low information content of management
High comfort and reduced noise level;
Relatively low price

Symmetrical directional protector

Tires with this pattern are often referred to as "rain" tires because they are capable of providing wet grip and excellent handling. These qualities make the tires suitable for all weather conditions, for driving on roads with a lot of puddles, in heavy rain. On dry asphalt, as well as on rolled snow, such a tread provides high directional stability and precise handling, tires with a directional tread are good for steering.

The main advantage of such a pattern is the increased quality of water drainage from the contact patch with the road, which eliminates the occurrence of the aquaplaning effect (car sliding when hitting a continuous water film). The mutual arrangement of the checker blocks forms a directional pattern of the drainage system - diagonal grooves between the blocks, the direction of which ensures a high-quality drainage of water (in the speed ranges recommended by the manufacturer).

For winter tires directional symmetrical pattern determines the high-quality removal of snow slush, slush, and liquid mud from the contact patch. Tires with this pattern are becoming more and more popular, the directional symmetrical pattern provides the tire with a sufficiently high versatility in terms of weather conditions. In particular, the winter tire line from each manufacturer certainly includes tires with directional symmetrical tread... The pattern is ideal for urban winter tires.

disadvantages

Among the disadvantages of tires with a directional symmetric pattern, one can note increased noise when driving on dry asphalt, which is determined by the sequential arrangement of checker blocks. In addition, the directional pattern is less suitable for driving on poor-quality roads, and grip and stability are impaired.

Installation

The directional pattern allows you to install the tire only taking into account the direction of travel, since otherwise the tire will not drain water or slush from the contact patch, but, on the contrary, capture masses of water or snow. Accordingly, in terms of replacement for controlling wear, such rubber is less versatile. For correct installation on the side of the tires, the corresponding marking is applied - the inscription "ROTATION" and an arrow that indicates the direction of travel.

Summary

So, tires with directional symmetrical tread are less versatile than tires with non-directional tread. Greater handling and safety on wet or muddy roads is balanced by reduced grip, road stability and increased noise on asphalt. On the other hand, this pattern is ideal for urban movement with measured driving, and for winter tires.

Asymmetric non-directional protector

If the symmetrical (directional or non-directional) tread pattern provides comfort and elevated level safety in a measured driving style, the tires with an asymmetric non-directional pattern are focused on maximum performance at high speeds and dynamic maneuvering. This pattern is most often used when creating UHP tires, sports tire, elite rubber for sports cars and premium segment cars.

The idea of ​​an asymmetric tread is to divide the tread into the outer side and the inner side, each side is responsible for a certain set of qualities of the tire.

The tread area located on the outer side (the outer part of the wheel) is made of harder rubber, the tread blocks on this side are usually more massive. The outer part of the tread experiences large deformation loads that arise during maneuvering at high speed, and the tire from the outside needs the highest quality contact with the road, maximum grip. Hard rubber allows the tire to maintain a stable contact patch shape, and the configuration of massive blocks determines good grip, in addition, the stiffness of the tire makes the control more informative, the tires quickly respond to the driver's actions, providing feedback.

The inner side of the tread is made of softer, more elastic rubber, and includes more water deflectors to resist aquaplaning. A quick drainage of water from the contact patch is a very important quality at high speeds, since the risk of aquaplaning (loss of control on a wet road) increases in proportion to the increase in speed. The elasticity of the rubber gives the tire a soft ride and makes the ride more comfortable, despite the fairly high rigidity.

Asymmetric, non-directional tires offer excellent handling, high speed stability, and lateral stability- allow the vehicle to maintain stability when maneuvering. In addition, tires with non-directional tread differ low level noise (in relation to tires with a directional pattern).

disadvantages

The asymmetric non-directional tread pattern makes the tires unsuitable for off-road conditions and absolutely do not provide speed advantages on roads with poor surface quality. High rigidity, which determines the informativeness of maneuvering on high-quality asphalt, turns into a disadvantage on a bad road - every pothole, all bumps and bumps in the road are felt in the cabin. In addition, the low tread pattern common with non-directional asymmetric tires results in poor grip on uneven roads.

The price of such tires is quite high, in comparison with tires of the same manufacturer, which have a symmetrical non-directional pattern (offered basic configuration new car), asymmetrical non-directional tires can cost about double.

Installation

Tires with asymmetric non-directional tread can be installed on any axle and in any position relative to the direction of travel, the only condition is that the tire is on the “right” side. To facilitate the process of finding the right side, the appropriate marking is used “Outside” - stands for the outer side seen from the side of the car and “Inside” - the inner side, the marking is applied to the sidewalls of the tire. You can change tires in places in any order, adhering to the marking, which makes it possible to adjust the wear.

Summary

Tires with asymmetric non-directional tread offer significant advantages on quality roads and are therefore ideal for high-speed cars used for movement in the urban cycle. Also, the tires allow you to make the control more dynamic, great for those who like fast driving and fans of aggressive driving style. For driving on roads with insufficient quality surface, it is better to opt for tires with symmetrical non-directional tread.

Asymmetric directional protector

This is a rather rare type of tread pattern; a model with such a pattern was created by the Nokian concern in the early 2000s. Among the advantages of such a tread, we can mention the ability to combine different qualities in one tire, for example, the outer part of the tread can be responsible for effective grip on dry asphalt, and the inner part - for good handling, water drainage and grip on wet roads.

However, the difficulties associated with the sale of tires with an asymmetric directional tread, as well as with the problems of car maintenance, installation (problems with equipment in warehouses, in stores, a question with a spare wheel) forced to abandon the production of such tires.

Fitting tires with an asymmetric directional tread involves not only considering the inside and outside, but also the direction of travel. For this, the sidewall markings contain the designations Outside, Inside (outer and inner side), an alternative is Left and Right (left and right tires), as well as an arrow indicating the direction of rotation, and ROTATION lettering.

Any driver pays attention to the condition of the wheels on his car. There is nothing surprising or strange in this, it is the tires that provide contact with the surface, which determines the behavior of the car on the road. In order to achieve good traction, tire manufacturers are making a truly heroic effort, asymmetric tires should be seen as one of the attempts to improve the rubber's behavior while driving.

Asymmetric tires

Drivers are offered a choice different types tires, but for the most part all of them can be divided into types according to the type of tread:

• symmetric;
• directed;
• asymmetric.

Examples of the mentioned tread patterns are shown below:

On a car, the wheel experiences significant loads, and they differ significantly in changing road conditions - snow, water, braking, acceleration, turning - in each of these cases, the rubber works differently. Asymmetric tires are designed to accommodate some of these differences in individual driving modes.

This name is due to their peculiar tread pattern. Enlarged it is shown in the photo:

As already mentioned, the differences in tread pattern are caused by the different behavior of the rubber when driving. So, for ordinary symmetrical tires, it is standard. The directional rubber offers better water drainage at the point of contact with the surface and is designed for use on wet roads. And tires with different tread patterns provide the car with better directional stability and controllability.

V this case the behavior of the car in a corner, when the load falls mainly on the outer part of the tire, is taken into account. Therefore, it is made more rigid, with a large pattern, which provides stability and maneuverability in turns. The interior is made of softer rubber, which allows water to drain from under the wheel, which reduces the risk of aquaplaning and increases the contact patch with the road.

At one time, manufacturers made such tires also directional, but this turned out to be superfluous, at present they are not produced, and there is no difference between right and left wheels.

Mounting asymmetric tires

What else does a driver need to know about such tires? The most important thing is to install them correctly on the car. The fact is that the design provides for two sides - external and internal. Mounting and installation of such rubber should be carried out in such a way as to withstand exactly the desired location. To ensure this, there is a special marking on the side surface of the wheel - outside and inside (outer and inner).

So, when installing such wheels, you need to make sure that the outside inscription is on the outside of them.

Asymmetric tires are becoming more and more popular with drivers. This is explained by the best behavior of a car with such rubber on the road while driving. However, in order to ensure the full operation of such tires, they must be correctly mounted on a disk and installed on a car.