[will-w]

Hi all

I noticed the other day that my rear passenger tyre has been fitted so the fletched arrow points clockwise towards the rear of the car where as the others all face forwards.

Now my car has felt 'twitchy' since it went in for repair and came back with this tyre being replaced, I reckon this could be the cause.

I can't find any information on Bridgestone's website to see if the S001 is directional or not but the markings suggest so.

Can someone else that has S001's fitted check the tread patterns on both sides of the car and which way the arrows point?

Cheers
Will

[Dim73]

Originally Posted by will-w

I noticed the other day that my rear passenger tyre has been fitted so the fletched arrow points clockwise towards the rear of the car where as the others all face forwards.

Now my car has felt 'twitchy' since it went in for repair and came back with this tyre being replaced, I reckon this could be the cause.

I didn't even know there is such an arrow. Where exactly is it?

Also, could you please explain a bit more this "twitchy" feeling? Does the grip of the car feel strange?

[ovekvam]

You have to very sensitive to notice that a tire is installed backwards, unless it has been worn in the other way first. Most directional tires work very well when being run backwards.

[vladberca]

Some tyres have written on their sidewall how they should be mounted, in this case it's very clear
Also this tyre has an asymmetrical tread profile so it's clear that the direction was affected!
It's also very good that you checked this issue and the tyre was replaced and mounted in the correct way!

[Dim73]

Originally Posted by vladberca

Some tyres have written on their sidewall how they should be mounted, in this case it's very clear

So, except the "OUTSIDE" mark, is there any other mark that should point out the direction of correct installation for this tyre?

[will-w]

Originally Posted by Dim73

So, except the "OUTSIDE" mark, is there any other mark that should point out the direction of correct installation for this tyre?

Look at the above picture, on both the left and right sides you can see the fletched arrows. Left facing up, right facing down.

Both arrows should be facing the direction of travel - towards the front.

My rear passenger side wheel is the same way as above, it should (if they are directional) be the other way round but with the 'OUTSIDE' text still outside

[vladberca]

Following this link it's very easy to understand:
http://www.google.ro/imgres?imgurl=h...%3Disch&itbs=1

[Dim73]

Originally Posted by will-w

Look at the above picture, on both the left and right sides you can see the fletched arrows. Left facing up, right facing down.

Both arrows should be facing the direction of travel - towards the front.

My rear passenger side wheel is the same way as above, it should (if they are directional) be the other way round but with the 'OUTSIDE' text still outside

We have to be sure that those arrows are indeed directional and not just for design purposes. If those asymmetric tyres are indeed directional, then I think that they are wrongly installed in my car... (I'll double check)

[vladberca]

Usually near the arrow it's also written "ROTATION", other than that it's for design purpose.
I'll try to find a good pic for better understanding.

* I found another link:
http://www.google.ro/imgres?imgurl=h...%3Disch&itbs=1

[ovekvam]

It is very rare to see asymmetric (marked outside) tires that are also directional. It is usually one or the other.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by will-w

My rear passenger side wheel is the same way as above, it should (if they are directional) be the other way round but with the 'OUTSIDE' text still outside

Outside means just that, it's not directional. You can't have both, or you would need tyres designed in pairs (mirror image) for each axle. Your tyres are asymmetric, not directional.

Put another way, directional tyres can't be marked 'outside' either. Or we are back to two different tyres for a common axle.

HighlandPete

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Outside means just that, it's not directional. You can't have both, or you would need tyres designed in pairs (mirror image) for each axle. Your tyres are asymmetric, not directional.

Put another way, directional tyres can't be marked 'outside' either. Or we are back to two different tyres for a common axle.

HighlandPete

They do exist, but it is very rare. My Yokohama 008R tires even had different rotational direction on RWD and FWD cars. It had to do with carcass construction.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

They do exist, but it is very rare. My Yokohama 008R tires even had different rotational direction on RWD and FWD cars. It had to do with carcass construction.

But you are talking of more specialist tyres, than we'd be getting as OEM on our road cars, if they are both asymmetric and directional, and must be used in pairs. Plus they should be labelled with both outside and direction to be clearly seen, as they are one side of vehicle specific.

HighlandPete