urgent help needed please: new assymetric tires for my 360

elmani · Nov 18, 2009

Hi guys, I am changing all 4 tires on my F360 spider. I liked very much the performance of my Bridgestone Potenza that were in the rear. They were symetrical /directional. So i ordered Potenzas for all 4; however when i saw them coming this morning i was looking for the directional arrow and found none! just a note "outside". So I looked at the threads and I understood that these were assymetrical and the outside marked side should always be on the outside, but what puzzeled me from the engineering point of view is that there was no overall symetry once on the car !!! If you look at the pic you would understand: the thread curvatures for left and right do not point in the same direction! is that ok?
I stopped the installation till tomorrow looking for answers that would convince me... the shop promised to investigate to see if there is any left/right indication per tire , and he could not find but 1 order number for this tire!
so, what should i do... i know the car drives ok in normal mode/speed, but i am not a normal driver and i have a total convinction that tires are one of the most important items in a super car.
help!
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AttilaS · Nov 18, 2009

That is correct. Just about all asymmetrical tires are this way. There is no special tire for the left or right side of the car.

BTW you'll love the RE-11s. I have them on one of my cars now and they have excellent dry grip and very stiff side walls (which provide nice turn-in response), but are still comfortable and quite.

elmani · Nov 18, 2009

thanks for the reply and encouragements...
Yes these are the Potenza RE11! apparently latest Potenza model , highly recommended for Texas hot weather !
Will let you know about the performance.
Regards

fc2 · Nov 19, 2009

Once again, you learn something new here every day. I would have been equally as confounded by this problem.

Frank

dm_n_stuff · Nov 20, 2009

asymmetric not to be confused with directional.

Didn't know there was a difference until two minutes ago.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=180&

Symmetric Tread Patterns
A symmetric tread pattern is the most common and features continuous ribs or independent tread blocks across the entire tread face where both inboard and outboard halves feature the same pattern. Tires featuring symmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns.

Asymmetric Tread Patterns
An asymmetric pattern is designed to blend the requirements of dry grip and water dispersal/snow traction where the tread pattern changes across the face of the tire. An asymmetric tread pattern usually incorporates larger tread ribs/blocks on the outboard side to increase cornering stability on dry roads by offering greater contact area. This also helps to reduce tread squirm and heat buildup on the outside shoulder. The inboard side usually features smaller independent tread blocks to aid wet and/or winter traction when driving straight ahead. Tires featuring asymmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns.

Directional (Unidirectional) Tread Patterns
A directional (also called a unidirectional) tread pattern is designed to roll in only one direction. It incorporates lateral grooves on both sides of the tires centerline that point in the same direction and result in v-shaped tread blocks. These grooves enhance hydroplaning resistance at high speeds by pumping water more efficiently through the tread pattern. Unless they are dismounted and remounted on their wheels to accommodate use on the other side of the vehicle, directional tires are to be used on one side of the vehicle and are intended to be rotated from the front axle to the rear axle. If different tire sizes are used on the front vs. rear axle, the tires become location-specific and prohibit tire rotation unless remounted.

Asymmetric and Directional Tread Patterns
Asymmetric and directional tread patterns have v-shaped tread grooves that are offset compared to the centerline of the tire. Tires featuring asymmetric and directional tread patterns must be treated as directional tires for tire rotation. However, if different tire sizes are used on the front vs. rear axle, they become location-specific and prohibit any tire rotation possibilities.
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urgent help needed please: new assymetric tires for my 360

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urgent help needed please: new assymetric tires for my 360

elmani Formula Junior

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fc2 F1 Veteran
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dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
Lifetime Rossa Owner