How to Identify the Correct Side of a Tire?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to distinguish the correct side of a tire: 1. Unidirectional tires: Look for an arrow mark on the tire sidewall. During installation, simply align the arrow to face forward. 2. Symmetrical tires: There is no distinction between the front and back sides. 3. Asymmetrical tires: One side of the tire will be marked with the word "outside". During installation, ensure the "outside" marking faces outward. Below are some tire maintenance tips: 1. Regularly check tire pressure. 2. Adjust tire pressure according to different seasons. 3. Pay attention to wear indicators to check for excessive wear. 4. Rotate tire positions after driving for a certain period. 5. Periodically check front wheel alignment. 6. Be mindful of your driving habits.
I remember when I changed the tires myself, the direction really couldn't be messed up. For most tires with directional arrows, the arrow should point in the direction of wheel rotation. After changing the tire, give the wheel a spin by hand to check if the arrow points forward. If installed backward, the tire's drainage design becomes ineffective, leading to poor friction on wet roads, longer braking distances, and increased risk of skidding. Asymmetric tires have an "outside" marking, which should obviously face outward. Don't mix up the inner and outer sides, or else the wear will be uneven and the noise will be especially loud. While driving, occasionally glance at the tread pattern—if one side wears out faster, it might be installed backward. In short, this small detail affects both safety and fuel efficiency, so don't take it lightly. Checking it yourself only takes a few seconds.
