Assymetirc Tyres

Today most tread designs are either asymmetric or rotational. Assymmetric designs have a tread pattern where one half the (inner side) has a different tread design compared to the outer side. As shown in the picture to the left, the asymmetric tread design look like two different tyres joined in the middle. Asymmetric designs have become very common on wider sizes and many low profile sizes.

There are many advantages to the asymmetric pattern. The performance is better especially grip on wet roads, because it has more grooves on the inner side it can disperse water better whilst at the same time the outer side has a greater contact on the road. An asymmetric pattern also performs very well in high speed cornering all because of a much plainer surface on the outer side.

Asymmetric tyres are non directional they can be placed on either side of the vehicle, left or right side. One thing to note is that it does have an inside and outside mounting point hence they have to mount the correct way by the fitter. The outside as shown on the tyre sidewall must always be facing outwards. Any tyre that has not been mounted correctly or changed is an MOT failure and is dangerous, it can seriously impair the performance of the car. You can rotate an Assymetric tyre without demounting it meaning you can take a tyre from the left and put it on the right side of the vehicle and vice verse. What you can’t do is change the inside to face the outside as mentioned above.

Some tyres can also be both asymmetric and directional so you would have to make sure the tyre is fitted the correct way failure to do so again would seriously impair the performance of the car.