How to Distinguish the Front and Back of a Tire?
2 Answers
The methods to distinguish the front and back of a tire are: 1. For unidirectional tires, an arrow mark can be seen on the sidewall; 2. For asymmetric tires, the side engraved with "OUTSIDE" is the back, while the side engraved with "INSIDE" is the front. Tires are round, elastic rubber products mounted on various vehicles or machinery for ground rolling. The functions of tires include: 1. Supporting the entire weight of the vehicle, bearing the load of the car, and transmitting forces and moments in other directions; 2. Transmitting traction and braking torque, ensuring good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface to improve the car's power, braking, and passing performance; 3. Working together with the car's suspension to cushion the impact during driving and dampen the generated vibrations; 4. Preventing severe vibrations and early damage to car components, adapting to the vehicle's high-speed performance, and reducing driving noise.
When checking tires, it's crucial to distinguish the correct orientation. Mainly look at the tread direction and markings on the sidewall - there's usually a small arrow indicating rotation direction that should align with the wheel's forward motion when installed. If no arrow is present, locate text labels like 'Outside' or 'Rotation' to ensure they face outward or match the driving direction. Installing them backward causes issues: reduced wet traction and increased noise. I once drove a car that developed a humming sound because the mechanic reversed the direction, which was fixed by readjustment. This is especially critical for asymmetric tread tires designed to optimize inner and outer performance - their labels mustn't be flipped. Always review the manual with new tires and remind mechanics during installation to prevent safety compromises.
