How to Distinguish the Front and Back Sides of a Spare Tire?
2 Answers
INSIDE faces inward. OUTWARDS faces outward. The side with the production date string code should face outward. Unidirectional tires have rolling direction markings and arrow indicators on the sidewall. Additionally, pay attention to the yellow dot, which indicates the lightest point for dynamic balance testing; align it with the valve stem during installation. The red dot marks the heaviest point for uniformity testing and should be positioned opposite or aligned accordingly during coaxial installation.
Distinguishing the front and back of a spare tire is quite simple. Based on my years of experience with long-distance driving, I first look at the wheel design: aluminum alloy wheels usually have attractive spoke patterns, and this side should always face outward. For cast iron wheels, check the position of the valve stem—it must face outward for easy inflation. Then, look for the markings on the tire sidewall; the word 'OUTSIDE' must always face outward. Some symmetrical tread spare tires don’t require differentiation, but it’s best to develop the habit of running your hand along the tire edge before installation to ensure the wheel mounting surface fully contacts the brake disc. Once, I installed it backward and drove on the highway, causing the wheel to deform and become unusable—a painful lesson. Remember, incorrect installation not only increases tire wear but can also affect brake cooling. Extra caution is needed with temporary spare tires for safety.
