The marking of modern tires usually contains information about the seasonality of the application, namely:

1. Designations "M + S" or "M&S" are applied to both winter and all-season, as well as summer off-road tires. This marking allows driving on off-road, mud, wet snow, etc. If there is an image of a snowflake next to the abbreviation, then the rubber belongs to the “winter” category.
2. For all season tires marking options "All SEASON", "ROAD+WINTER", "ANY Weather", etc. can be used.
3. The inscriptions "WATER", "RAID", "AQUA", "Aquacontact" designate the so-called "rain tires", which provide improved contact between the tread and wet asphalt.
4. Winter tires are identified by the word "Winter" or a snowflake logo.

When installed on a car new rubber or when seasonal replacement tires, it is imperative to pay attention to the marking and direction of the wheel tread.

When installing a tire having a symmetrically directional pattern, the arrow applied to the sidewall of the tire is positioned in accordance with the direction of rotation of the wheel when the vehicle moves forward.

Tires with an asymmetric pattern must be installed so that the "Outside" designation on the sidewall is on the outside of the wheel.

Important! Particular attention is required when mounting asymmetric tires marked "Right" and "Left". To do this, you will need two pairs of tires with the appropriate inscriptions, which are installed on different sides of the car.

Asymmetric tires: safety in any weather

Photo © : rezulteo

Tread asymmetric tire has a characteristic difference between the pattern of the inner and outer sides of the tire, and each of the zones plays a certain role in assessing the quality indicators of the tire. In this way, inner part tires usually have an open shoulder area for fast water drainage and reduce the risk of hydroplaning, while outer part has a tread pattern that gives the tire rigidity to ensure maneuverability and cornering stability. It is logical that asymmetric tires more expensive symmetrical.

Many automakers choose to equip their new models with asymmetric tires. They are intended mainly for car owners. middle and premium classes, for whom it is important safety on both dry and wet surfaces.

Installation: When installing an asymmetric busbar, it is important to consider the mounting direction. The word "outside" must always be located on the outside of the sidewall of the tire.

The most popular asymmetric tires

Tires with directional tread pattern: sports driving and snowy roads

Photo © : rezulteo

Tire with directional tread pattern easily recognizable by its downward V-shaped structure. Tire especially effective on wet surfaces. In heavy rain, water is quickly evacuated, which improves traction and greatly reduces the risk of aquaplaning. This tread pattern also improves motility, including on snow covered surface or on melted snow. Finally, their sports design very much appreciated by lovers of sports driving.

Tires with directional tread pattern are ideal for sports cars who travel regularly wet roads. They are also recommended for driving on snowy roads.

Not so long ago I wrote my own (read interesting). But many of my viewers on the YOUTUBE channel (you can subscribe the link on the right), saw on my tires (which are shod on my KIA OPTIMA) - ALLEGEDLY INCORRECT DRAWING. On the right, the Christmas tree looks not forward, but backward! Well, it started - “yes, your tires are not properly dressed”, “yes, what kind of blogger are you after that”, “yes, I’m an installer at the service station and I confirm that I’m not properly dressed”, etc. For all the "wise guys" who have not seen normal winter tires and do not know what "INSIDE" and "OUTSIDE" are, this article is simply a must-read (well, the video at the end too) ...

The worst thing about this topic is not the “shkolota” who writes all sorts of nonsense in the comments, but the tire fitting workers (watch the video below). For everyone, I want to tell you about winter asymmetric tires.

Winter tires (main types of pattern)

At the moment, there are only three types of patterns on tires (both summer and winter) - these are the so-called classic (they are also called non-directional), directional and asymmetric:

• - there is nothing special to write, if you describe in a nutshell, there are even lamellas, Right side copies the left. The drawing can be directed against each other.

• Directed - here the right side and the left side are mirror copies. Usually they have a forward direction (something like the Latin letter V, we call this type a “herringbone”). Also on the sides there is an inscription "ROTATION", with an arrow of rotation of the wheel. IMPORTANT! The tire must be installed - in the direction of the forward rotation arrow, if the arrow (and the directional tread) look backward, this is not correct!

• earlier they were used mainly only in summer (now more and more manufacturers are switching to winter). Here, the right and left sides are not at all similar to each other. Usually the inside of the tread is much narrower than the outside. NEED TO KNOW! Often the drawing is not important here, it can even be directed back (right, left, forward), it is important to combine the two inscriptions "INSIDE" and "OUTSIDE" (more on this below).

Now many manufacturers winter options use precisely directional and asymmetric tread patterns. It is they that most effectively remove moisture, snow and perfectly hold the car in winter corners, on ice.

It is worth noting that the installation rules for tire fitting, for a directional and asymmetrical look DIFFERENT (and do not apply to each other)!!!

In simple words, it is wrong to look for the herringbone direction on asymmetric tires.

OUTSIDE - what is it?

Here we come to the most interesting. If with a directional and classic tire, during installation, everything is clear. We combine the "herringbone" and the arrow "ROTATION" and install. TO with asymmetric options a lot of confusion.

Such questions are frequent - “they put the tires on the service station incorrectly, the right side looks forward, and the left side looks back”! Or - "I was sold 4 left or 4 right wheels." In general, “people are in danger”, “what to do?”

Let's figure it out, remember two rules when installing asymmetric tires:

• Tread pattern, lunge pattern - ABSOLUTELY not important in installation! Again - even though he looks forward, backward, right, left - does not matter.
• The tire should be put on two marks - - the inside, - outer side.

BUT WHY IT IS THIS:

- see asymmetric tire, made a little differently than the other two types. Each zone is responsible for its part of the work. It usually has a slightly weaker inner side, a thinner tread layer and is designed to work with high speeds. When turning, the main load does not go to it, since it is inside - that is why INSIDE (translated as the inside). If you put it outside, then with a sharp turn, it simply can not withstand the load and burst! It is very dangerous

- as it becomes clear (translation external side). It has a much larger and reinforced tread, and it holds the car perfectly in corners, it takes the main load. And it is with this side that you usually “grind” to the curbs. This side should be outside.

It is worth noting that asymmetric wheels are the most technologically advanced of all three types. The other side of the coin, maybe a little more cost, well, an illiterate installation at mediocre service stations! Remember the main thing - CORRECTLY COMBINE, otherwise it is simply dangerous.

There are three types of tire tread pattern: symmetrical, asymmetrical and directional.

An asymmetric tire conditionally consists of two halves: outer and outer, which have their own pattern and arrangement of blocks. To understand which side of the tire should look inside the car, and which outside, there are inscriptions on the sidewall - inside and outside.

Inside (inner) - indicates the inside of the tire;

Outside (out) - indicates the outer side of the tire.

Compliance with the labels is very important, since its functionality depends on the position of the tire on the car: braking qualities, handling, noise level, hydroplaning resistance and so on. For example, the outer side very often has a small stiffening rib that reinforces the tread blocks and retains their shape during high speed maneuvers.

The outer blocks of the tread are interconnected by a stiffener to keep their shape and not deform during the turn. But on the inside, the blocks are not interconnected.

Tire asymmetry is not always visible

Some tires have a pronounced tread asymmetry, so the difference is immediately evident.

A tire with a pronounced tread asymmetry.

However, for many tires, the difference in tread halves is less significant, and without careful scrutiny, it can be difficult to detect.

Tire with less pronounced (almost imperceptible) tread asymmetry.

Correct installation of the outside inside tire

In order for an asymmetric tire to behave correctly on the road, it must be installed in accordance with the marks: outside - out, inside - inside.

It happens that visually the tires on the right and left axles look in different directions, as if they were installed in opposite directions. However, if the tire marks look in the right direction, then the tire is installed correctly on the car.

Tires are labeled outside to the outside. In this case, the right tire “looks” up, and the left one looks down, which gives the impression that the tires are installed in the opposite direction to each other.

Outcome

The outside and inside labels are used to indicate which side of the asymmetric tire should face the outside and which should face the inside of the vehicle.

Numerous tires with various parameters available on the market. How do you choose the ones that will ensure driving comfort and safety? One of the most important features every tire, especially in winter, has a tread. Do you have a dilemma: directional or asymmetric tread? In this article, we propose to solve this.

Choosing the Right winter tires very important. Even the most best car, which is driven by experienced driver, cannot cope with difficult winter conditions without good tires. As you prepare to buy, consider the following:

• individual driving style and environment where you move,
• the size,
• tread design and mixture used,
• label information,
• results of tests carried out by automotive organizations,
• opinions of other drivers.

Note: always install four identical tires with the same wear!

Directional tires

The tread pattern is easily recognizable by the 'V' or 'U' shaped grooves. They run from the shoulders to the front of the tires, which has a positive effect on grip on dry and, above all, wet surfaces. Instead of slipping, the tire grabs the water and throws it out. Thanks to this, the control becomes more precise, and you get full control over the car. You avoid "floating" in the path caused by hydroplaning. The most commonly used tread in winter tires is the directional tread. It has high traction properties and works great with residual slush. However, grip on snow is accompanied by additional plates and grooves, specific to this season's tires, which bite into the snow.

Pirelli Cinturato Winter- popular tire with directional tread.

Winter directional tires are the ideal solution for those who tend to drive around the city and prefer a relaxed driving style, as well as for drivers who cover long distances dynamically.

The direction of the tread in winter tires is very important. Whether we buy an asymmetric or a directional tread, the task of the blocks, slots and plates is, among other things, the drainage of water, mud or snow that reduces our adhesion. Grooves that are turned in a direction different from the driving direction can adversely affect driving safety and comfort.

Marking for directional tires

The marking on the wheels is the element that indicates how and when to use this model to really live up to our expectations. They also tell you how to put tires on our car. The directional tires don't stand out much even from symmetrical rubbers, but make sure that the tire tread is facing the side of the vehicle. To avoid mistakes, manufacturers place a graphic sign or the word "rotation" with an arrow on the side, dispelling any doubts about the assembly direction. Directional tires installed in reverse do not fulfill their function resulting from a special tread pattern.

Asymmetric tires

In this type of tire, the grooves are formed asymmetrically. What does it mean? The asymmetric tread is characterized by a variety of designs on the left and right, where each is responsible for different driving characteristics. The outer part is made up of stronger blocks that are responsible for safe and stable cornering and traction on dry surfaces. The inner sector should drain water and improve traction in rainy weather. With a variety of designs and a reinforced exterior, this solution is more durable than directional tires, which can chip faster. However, to avoid uneven wear, it is necessary to cycle the wheels in the car regardless of the tires.

winter tire Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 W320B is an example of an asymmetric model.

This tread provides stable cornering and efficient braking, so it is ideal for medium to high-end car owners who prefer fast and aggressive driving (which is of course not recommended in winter conditions). Be sure to choose models specially homologated for this season for the winter - in case asymmetrical tread most of them are all-season tires. However, it won't the best choice in harsh winter.

Asymmetric tires, marking

If you are looking for asymmetric winter tires, it is worth visiting the site, which will be created by professionals. The asymmetrical tire assembly stands out from the other options. On the sides you will find special markings that indicate how they should be placed on the axle. The "outside" symbol should always be on the outside of the tires, and the "inside" symbol on the inside under the vehicle. The most common marks on winter tires 3PMSF - confirms winter properties tires, Mark M + S with the symbol of the mountain with a snowflake - used on all season tires, similar in properties to winter tires, the M + S designation is a manufacturer's statement that the model works on snow and mud, not necessarily reflecting real parameters.

Asymmetric and directional tread

It is impossible to clearly define which tread pattern is the most advantageous. It depends on individual needs and preferences. A hint, however, may be the fact that in winter tire testing conducted by the world's largest automotive organizations, such as ADAC, most driving is taken by directional tyres. On the other hand, experts often recommend asymmetric models for cars with high performance and higher speeds.