The direction of the rubber pattern. Directional or asymmetrical winter tires - which one to choose? Which winter tires are better: symmetrical or asymmetrical

Nowadays asymmetric tires belong to products of high technological production... And, in principle, this is expected, because lately manufacturers automotive rubber seriously decided to think about creating products of higher quality. This will ensure not only the durability of the products, but also the safety on the road while driving. The creators approached this issue very seriously and each time they improve the tread pattern so that the quality remains always on high level... Thanks to the latest technology, tires are manufactured in such a way that they provide maximum handling comfort while driving. And at the moment, the most common are asymmetric tires, which have a lot of advantages.

Advantages

Among the advantages of such tires, the following should be noted:

1. They do not require installation on any particular side, and this, in turn, can alleviate problems that arise with the spare wheel. This is very convenient, because it doesn't matter which side you put the wheel on, it will still function.
2. Increased traction. This rubber is very dense, which allows it to withstand heavy loads during cornering. The design of these tires is created so that the driver feels comfortable while driving.
3. Reduction braking distance, which is also important while driving.
   

This advantage came about because stepped grooves were used on the inner side of the tread. They can perfectly interact with ice or snow cover. Also, thanks to these grooves, the car feels good both during start and during braking. The outer side of such tires most often has wavy grooves, thanks to them, stability is increased, as well as maximum grip on the road surface.

Thanks to all these advantages, the tires provide the car with stable handling. If we talk in general about asymmetric tires, then this is a special rubber on which a tread pattern is applied from the outside.

It is also worth mentioning that there are two types of tread patterns on these tires:

• undirected;
• directed.

There is not much difference in these tread patterns, and some drivers claim that the difference is not even felt on the road. But more professional drivers assure that there are differences and at the same time noticeable.

How to distinguish these tires from regular tires

It often happens that sellers in the markets pass off ordinary tires as asymmetric, and in order not to fall for this trick, you need to be able to distinguish between them. Before you go out and buy these tires, it is worth knowing a few subtleties.

If the tires are directional, then there should be an arrow on them, which indicates the required direction of travel.

If there is no such arrow, it means that the tire can be rotated to either side, so this rubber will no longer be directional. You also need to know that symmetrical tires are installed on either side of the vehicle, there will be no difference. On them or on their analogs, one of the inscriptions Outside or Inside can be disassembled.

Installation

As for the installation of asymmetric tires, here, in principle, everything is the same as for conventional tires. This matter must be treated with extreme care, because this process is one of the most important. If it happens that you have incorrectly installed the tire, then, most likely, while driving, your safety and the car's safety may be at risk. After the tire has been installed, take the time to check the entire wheel completely, make sure everything is ready to move. Even if the tires were installed at the tire service, it will not be superfluous if you check everything.

conclusions

Based on the foregoing, we can confidently say that asymmetric tires are very popular nowadays due to their quality. Each time, manufacturers are trying to make their product much better, and this is very commendable. The safety of all passengers and the car itself depends on the quality of rubber on the road. If the tires are of poor quality, then accidents are inevitable.

Regardless of what the tires are for: for passenger car or is it tires for off-road vehicles - they are divided into several main types:

Asymmetric tires- tires with different tread patterns on the outside and inside of the treadmill. Indicated by the following inscriptions on the sidewall of the wheel: “Outside”, “Inside”, “Facing Out”, “Side Facing Inwards”, etc.

Symmetrical tires- These tires have a symmetrical tread, cord and sidewall construction. They can be installed on the vehicle in any position.

Directional tires - car tires with a strictly directed tread pattern, the direction of rotation of such wheels is indicated by an arrow on the sidewall of the wheel. They are marked with the inscription "Rotation" and an arrow of the direction of rotation.

"Left" and "Right" tires are terms denoting wheels, during the installation of which it is necessary to strictly observe the conditions of their installation on the car: "right" only on the right, "left" only on the left.
You can recognize them by the “Right” or “Left” markings on the sidewall of the wheel.
If there are no such inscriptions on the sidewall of the tire, then the tires of this model are not subdivided into "Left" and "Right", regardless of whether they have a directional or asymmetric tread pattern.

These concepts are not mutually exclusive, asymmetric and directional rubber occurs at the same time. Several years ago the company produced asymmetric "Left" and "Right" tires.
But at the moment, asymmetric tires with a given direction of rotation are not produced, since "Left" and "Right" tires do not give special advantages in wheel characteristics, and at the same time, such a solution greatly increases the cost of production and creates additional problems in warehouses and shops.

Features of the tire design.

Currently, asymmetric tires, both summer and winter tires, are gaining more and more popularity among motorists. The inner part of the asymmetric tire is made softer than the outer one, this is due to the fact that the load during cornering is mainly borne by the outer part of the wheel. This significantly improved the handling of the car. Also, in general, an increase in the area of ​​the contact patch of the tire with the road surface had a positive effect on the directional stability of the vehicle. In addition, due to the fact that the tread blocks on the outer side of an asymmetric tire are larger than on the inner side, drainage is improved when driving on a wet road surface, which has a positive effect on the tendency to reduce the likelihood of aquaplaning.

Directional tires with the best drainage rates from the wheel-to-road contact patch, by directional stability and handling is still inferior to asymmetric. But on the other hand, the risk of avaplaning in directional tires is much less due to the fact that the active drainage of water from the contact patch is carried out in both directions.

The appearance on the market of "left" and "right" tires was also due to the desire of the manufacturer to make management vehicle the safest, but, unfortunately, it turned out to be somewhat hasty. We can say that the designers of automobile rubber overdid it and did not foresee some factors. First, the production of such wheels significantly increased the manufacturing cost, which was reflected in the retail price; secondly, there was confusion in the suppliers' warehouses; thirdly, it was not clear to the consumer which spare tire to carry with him: left or right. it is not known from which side a puncture of the wheel will occur. Due to these factors, at present, tire manufacturers do not produce strictly "left" or "right" tires.

Features of the installation of tires.

Fitting asymmetric tires

Installation rules asymmetric tires intuitive and simple enough.
When installing a wheel with an asymmetric tire on a car, its outer part must be marked Outside (or a similar different manufacturers: External, This side facing outwards, Side facing outwards, etc.), at the same time, the inscription on the inside of the Inside wheel (it is: Side facing inwards, This side facing inwards) remains invisible to you, because is directed this side towards the vehicle.

Simply put, with the correct installation of asymmetric wheels, you should only see Outside on the tires when walking around the car.

Installation of directional tires

Directional tires is set so that when the vehicle is moving forward, the direction of rotation of the wheel coincides with the direction of the arrow on the sidewall next to the Rotation inscription.

"Left" and "right" tires, as mentioned above, are installed, respectively, strictly on the sides of the car, which corresponds to the inscription on the protector Right (right) or Left (left) (in the direction of the car forward).

Installing symmetrical buses

Symmetrical tires have neither outer sides nor a given direction of rotation and therefore can be installed in any position.

Note also that for incorrect installation asymmetric or directional tires on the vehicle degrade the performance of the vehicle during its operation.
Incorrect "work" of tires in this case negates all the efforts of designers aimed at giving the wheels improved characteristics. When driving a car with improperly installed wheels (if there are simply no other options), it is necessary to observe increased vigilance on the road and move at a speed of no more than 80 km / h.

We hope that our tips will help you when checking the installation work.

Asymmetric tires have been developed by tire manufacturers. The design features, as well as the tread pattern, provide the specified type of tires good grip wheels with road surface. Our article describes the advantages and disadvantages of such tires, specifies the features of its installation.

Different types of tread patterns

Under the concept of asymmetric tires, it is necessary to understand tires that differ in the direction of the pattern of the outer as well as the inner side of the treadmill. The first company to introduce the production of this type of rubber was the well-known Nokian brand, which has produced tires having a directional tread pattern. Feature of these tires:

• you can put tires in accordance with the direction of the arrow or the inscription "ROTATION" on the side of the tire;
• tires are divided into left and right, marked respectively with the letters L or R.

When installing directional asymmetric rubber, the following difficulties arose:

1. It was practically impossible to install two wheels with left-hand markings or two products with right-hand markings, since in one car shop there were rarely tires with left and right markings.
2. Determining the type of tire for a spare tire is quite difficult: it is impossible to know in advance which wheel will need to be replaced. In force majeure situations, drivers installed the spare tire on the wrong side, which led to accelerated wear of the tread layer.

Tire manufacturers have decided to abandon the production of asymmetric tires with a directional pattern. They were replaced by similar rubber with non-directional tread pattern.

You can define non-directional asymmetric tires by the following criteria:

1. In this type of rubber, the inside is softer than the outside. This allows you to correctly distribute the load when the car enters a turn: most of the load falls on the outer part of the product.
2. The tread blocks on the outside of the tire are larger than on the inside. This design of the tread layer allows for better drainage of fluid from the grip patch of the wheels with the road surface. This reduces the risk of aquaplaning and makes driving easier.
3. Tires are installed on the left and right side.

On symmetrical tires there is no marking of the outer and inner sides; on this basis, it is easy to distinguish symmetrical tires from asymmetric products.

Advantages and disadvantages, installation features

Advantages of tires with an asymmetric tread layer:

Disadvantages: significant disadvantages were present in asymmetric tires with a directional tread pattern, but this type of tires has been discontinued.

The installation of rubber with an asymmetric tread pattern is carried out taking into account the outer and inner sides of the product. You can find out which side to mount the tires on by the corresponding inscription on the side of the tires. Their outer side has one of the designations:

• outside;
• side facing outwards;
• external.

The inner part of the tire has one of the markings:

• this side facing inwards;
• inside.

When installing such tires, the direction of the pattern of the tread layer does not matter. Correct installation assumes the placement of tires depending on the outside and inside of the tire.

Conclusion

Asymmetric tires are often confused with directional tires - this makes it difficult to install these products on a car. We have indicated the distinctive characteristics and design features tires that have an asymmetrical tread pattern, which must be taken into account when buying and installing this type of rubber.

Purchase of tires with asymmetrical pattern tread layer is important when buying expensive tires, such a tread pattern ensures a long service life of rubber.

Direction of tire rotation

If the car drives to the side while driving and there is a rapid erasure of tires - why can this be?

Did you make a 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 when properly installed.

Classification

All 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

Correctly determining the direction of rotation of the tire is quite simple - when the car is moving forward, the "herringbone (tread pattern)" should first touch the 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:

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

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

Choosing the right winter tires is very important. Even the most best car driving which there is experienced driver cannot cope with difficult winter conditions without good tires... When preparing to purchase, consider the following:

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

Note: Always fit 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. This makes steering more precise and gives you complete control over your vehicle. You avoid "swimming" in the path caused by aquaplaning. The most commonly used tread in winter tires is directional. He possesses high traction properties and works great with residual slush. However, snow traction is accompanied by additional plates and grooves typical of tires designed for this season, which "bite" into the snow.

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter is a popular directional tread tire.

Winter directional tires are ideal solution for those who usually move around the city and prefer a calm driving style, as well as for drivers who dynamically cover long distances.

The direction of the tread in winter tires is very important. Regardless of whether we buy an asymmetric or directional tread, the task of blocks, grooves and plates, among other things, drainage of water, mud or snow, which reduces our adhesion. Grooves turned in a direction other than the driving course can adversely affect driving safety and comfort.

Directional tire markings

The wheel markings are the element indicating how and when to use this model so that it really meets our expectations. They also tell you how to put tires on our car. Directional tires do not stand out much even from symmetrical rubbers, however, make sure that the tire tread faces 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 direction of the assembly. Directional tires installed on the contrary do not fulfill their functions resulting from the special tread pattern.

Asymmetric tires

In this type of tire, the grooves are formed asymmetrically. What does it mean? The asymmetrical tread features a variety of designs on the left and right, where each is responsible for different driving characteristics. The exterior is made up of more durable blocks for safe and stable cornering and traction on dry surfaces. The indoor sector should drain water and improve traction in rainy weather. Thanks to its varied construction and reinforced outer part, this solution is more durable than directional tires, which can serrate faster. However, in order to avoid uneven wear, it is necessary to cycle the wheels in the vehicle independently of the tires.

Winter Hankook tire The Winter i * cept evo2 W320B is an example of an asymmetrical model.

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

Asymmetric tires, markings

If you choose asymmetrical Winter tires, it is worth visiting the site, which will be created by professionals. Asymmetric busbar assembly stands out from 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 “inside” on the inside under the vehicle. The most common marks on winter tires 3PMSF - confirms the winter properties of tires, M + S brand with mountain symbol with snowflake - used on all-season tires similar in properties to winter tires, M + S designation - manufacturer's statement that the model works in snow and mud, without necessarily reflecting real parameters.

Asymmetrical and directional protector

It is impossible to clearly determine which tread pattern is the most advantageous. It depends on individual needs and preferences. However, a clue may be the fact that in winter tire testing by the world's largest automotive organizations, such as ADAC, much of the driving experience is taken up by directional tires. On the other hand, experts often recommend asymmetrical models for vehicles with high performance and higher speeds.