What is the method to distinguish the front and back of a tire?
3 Answers
Tire distinguishing method: The inside and outside of the tire can be identified by the markings on the tire sidewall. The side marked 'inside' indicates the inner side, while 'outwards' indicates the outer side. Effects of incorrect tire installation: 1. Reduced grip, leading to uneven resistance on both sides; 2. Decreased braking efficiency, potentially causing vehicle drift and unstable steering; 3. Poor water drainage. Functions of tires: 1. Generate driving force, braking force, and lateral force through interaction with the road surface; 2. Bear the weight of the vehicle; 3. Provide cushioning and shock absorption. The normal tire pressure range is 2.3 to 2.8 bar. In winter, it can be appropriately increased by 0.2 bar, while in summer, it should be reduced by 0.1 bar to prevent tire blowouts.
When I first changed tires, I couldn't tell the front from the back either. Later I found checking the sidewall markings is the most reliable method. Asymmetric tread pattern tires will always have 'OUTSIDE' marked on the outer side. Performance tires like Goodyear F1 may even have a small arrow engraved on the sidewall indicating rotation direction. For unidirectional tires it's even simpler - there's a large rotation arrow symbol on the sidewall, just install it with the arrow pointing toward the front of the vehicle. Although symmetric tread tires don't have front/back orientation, remember to position the production date outward for easier wear inspection later. A friend's car once kept shaking during acceleration - turns out the tires were mounted backwards with the drainage grooves rotating in reverse, making it especially prone to skidding in rainy conditions.
Pay attention to the tread direction when changing tires. Those unidirectional tires have tread patterns resembling little arrows pointing forward – install them backward and their wet weather drainage is ruined. Asymmetric tires are easier to identify; just feel for the raised 'OUTSIDE' marking on the sidewall. Last time I helped my neighbor install winter tires, he insisted on mounting them backward, resulting in noise like driving a tractor and worse traction. Nowadays, most new tires have colored installation markers: the solid red circle should align with the valve stem, while the yellow dot points to the wheel's lightest spot.
