How to install tires correctly: everything is easier than it seems

Issues discussed in the material:

• How to correctly install tires on a car according to the tread pattern
• How to install tires with an asymmetric pattern on wheels
• How to correctly install tires according to marks
• How to install winter tires correctly

Tires are one of the key elements of wheeled vehicles. The quality of rubber largely determines the safety and comfort of driving a car. An experienced driver can easily install the tires correctly. But a beginner, most likely, will not be able to cope with this task. Having a lack of experience and knowledge on the topic of how to properly install tires, you can be left without a vehicle at the most inopportune moment and in the worst place for this. To eliminate this possibility, let’s look into the issue.

BlackTyres.ru › Blog › Inside/Outside markings on the sidewall

The markings on the sidewall are not just technical information for specialists.
It is also a good idea for the driver to know what a particular sign may mean. In the case of asymmetric tires, this is even more relevant, because they cannot be installed on a whim. Let's talk about Inside/Outside marks on the sides of the tire: what they are, why they exist and how to use them correctly. After reading the article, you will learn to understand the inside and outside markings and navigate the installation of asymmetric tires.

Inside/Outside – we understand all the intricacies

Let's look at the sidewall of asymmetrical tires - in addition to many other markings (we wrote about them in a separate article), there is either an Inside or Outside mark on the left and right sides.

To understand their purpose, you need to understand the peculiarity of a tire with an asymmetric tread pattern. This is one of three main tread design options: symmetrical directional, non-directional and asymmetrical.

At one glance at asymmetrical tires, it is obvious that the rubber consists of two different halves, which can have either a directional or non-directional design, respectively, each half of the tire performs its own functions, which allows this type of tread to combine several of the main advantages of more classic “patterns” " On the outer, stronger side of the tire, the blocks are larger - they are responsible for the stability of the car when cornering, and on the inner side there are more drainage grooves to drain the contact patch and combat hydroplaning.

Asymmetrical tires also inherited the disadvantages of other designs, the main one being that they cannot be mounted on a rim in any direction. Only in the way the manufacturers intended, otherwise the driver will face increased noise levels, problems with handling and wheel grip on wet roads, as well as accelerated tire wear. It is for this reason that the inscription on the side Inside/Outside indicates how to place them relative to the car.

We install asymmetric tires according to the markings

Inside and Outside translated from English mean “internal” and “external” side, respectively. Those. The side marked Outside should face you when installed on the car; Inside rests against the body of the car.

Although these marks are standardized for most car tires, it is less common to see the Side Facing Out (outer side) and Side Facing Inwards (inner side) signs. They have the same meaning. But that is not all. If you have directional tread contours, then the direction of movement is strictly defined for it, otherwise the drainage system of the tire and the clutch will not work correctly. We look for a Rotation marker on the side and an arrow that will indicate in which direction the wheel should spin.

At one time, there were tires with the inscription Left or Right, which indicated the location of the tire relative to the car body - they are allowed to be installed on different axles, but only on either the right or left side. Now “paired” models are no longer being developed, but such marks can still be found on older versions, so be careful.

Use this knowledge to check the work of a tire fitter, because even professionals can make mistakes. Walk around your car: on correctly installed asymmetrical wheels on both sides of the car, the Outside mark should be facing you. For directional models, the Rotation arrow points in the direction of movement. If you have a model of previous years with a breakdown on the sides of the car, then on the right side of the body there should be tires marked Right, and on the left Left.

Find fast and reliable asymmetric tires at BlackTyres online store. You can sort the models you need in the catalog by simply indicating the characteristics of the tread pattern, standard size, seasonality, country of manufacture, etc.

Click if you want more useful articles, and subscribe ✅ to the channel so as not to miss new publications. Further it will be even more interesting and useful. Good luck on the roads!

Seasonal types of protectors

The tread pattern and tire composition differ depending on the season.

Summer tires have a more rigid tread compound than winter tires to combat aquaplaning (loss of grip on a wet road) and achieve high handling performance.

The tread pattern of winter tires has blocks cut into smaller elements by several grooves. This makes the tire soft (so it doesn’t “slip” in the cold) and increases traction on slippery roads. Winter tires are divided into two types according to the type of tread pattern:

• Scandinavian;
• European.

Scandinavian type

This is a pattern with rectangular and diamond-shaped blocks. At the same time, the distance between the tread elements is quite large. The side edges are sharper. The structure is softer than European tires.

The “rough” pattern allows the tire to easily push through ice or snow crust, prevent dirt from sticking, and brake better on ice - a good option for driving on poorly cleared streets and outside the city.

European type

Designed for “mild” winters and roads cleared of snow. In heavy snow, driving on European tires will be problematic.

Such tires effectively remove snow and water. The drawing is not rough, and the edges have a smoother transition. European rubber is harder - using a hard material increases wear resistance. European-type tires “live” for about 5 seasons, unlike Scandinavian tires, which need to be changed every 2-3 seasons.

What are outside and inside tires, how to properly install asymmetric tires on a car

Are you looking for how to properly install asymmetrical outside and inside tires? In the article you will learn what outside and inside tires are - everything about asymmetric tires. How to properly install inside outside tires on a car.

Asymmetrical tire tread – inside, outside (or Side Facing Out and Side Facing Inwards)

There are 3 types of tire tread patterns: symmetrical, asymmetrical and directional

The asymmetrical tread type came to us from motorsport. And it remains the most effective at high speeds, especially in corners; it is the asymmetry that improves the quality of car control. Asymmetric tires are becoming increasingly popular on the market these days because... have a number of advantages over other types of tires.

The asymmetric tread of the tire divides it into two parts, one of them will be external, the second external, usually they differ in the pattern and arrangement of the blocks. To understand which side of the tire is the outer side and which is the outer side, marks (inscriptions) are applied on the sidewall - inside and outside.

Inside (in) – denotes the inner side;

Outside (out) – external.

Installation in compliance with the sides of the tire is very important, because The correct operation of the tire and its functionality depend on this. In order for a car with asymmetrical tires to behave correctly on the road, the tires must be installed in accordance with the marks: outside - outward, inside - inward. For example, the outer part of the tire may have a rib that strengthens the tread blocks and helps maintain its shape during various maneuvers at speed. Those. The blocks are connected on the outside by a stiffening rib, but not on the inside. Labels Left or Right - means that the tires of this model are left and right. When installing them, you must strictly follow the rule for installing tires on a car: left ones only on the left, and right ones only on the right. Correct installation affects:

• Controllability
• Durability
• Braking properties
• Noise level
• Resistance to hydroplaning and much more

Be sure, after you have installed asymmetric tires on your car, check that they are installed correctly. If you see the inscription OUTSIDE on all tires (on the sidewalls) when walking around the car, then everything is installed correctly.

The asymmetry of the tire pattern is not always immediately noticeable; the differences between the inner and outer sides may be insignificant.

How to properly install winter tires on a rim

In our country, at the legislative level, drivers are required to install tires of the appropriate type on their car twice a year. It is correct to change tires in advance of the winter or summer season, without waiting until the last days. For three summer months, it is prohibited to install studded directional tires on any vehicle.

Winter time imposes additional requirements on car wheels. Namely, they must provide high-quality traction on a snowy road when driving, accelerating and braking the vehicle. To ensure the safety of driving a car in winter, you need to properly install winter tires on your wheels.

First of all, it is very important to examine the side surfaces of winter tires for the presence of foreign objects. For example, such inclusions can be pieces of glass, nails, and screws. It is better to carry out an inspection before installation than to remove the tire from the wheel again.

You must comply with all manufacturer requirements for installing winter tires. The most important thing is to take into account the correct direction of rotation. Otherwise, the herringbone tread pattern will lose its self-cleaning function from dirt. Which, in turn, on a snowy road can lead to a complete loss of traction with asphalt.

The quality of the air used to inflate tires is of no small importance. For winter tires the air must be dry. If moist air gets inside the rubber, condensation will form. As a result, it will fail. To avoid air problems, it is correct to use a compact compressor connected to the car's cigarette lighter. These are powerful small-sized devices capable of inflating tires with dry air - which is very important when operating a car in winter.

Tires for winter use are often equipped with studs. These are steel elements that are screwed into tires. Thanks to the studs, the wheels provide the car with good grip and control on icy roads. The possibility of skidding during braking and acceleration is almost completely eliminated. However, it is necessary that the spikes sit securely in their fastenings and do not fly out. You can install the studs yourself or purchase ready-made studded tires at the store. But in any case, before intensive use, they need to be properly run-in, that is, tested at low speeds.

The presence of studs increases the diameter of the tires, so they can touch the internal elements of the wheel arches. It is necessary to pay attention to this fact when installing studded winter tires. It is also not recommended to overload a car equipped with such tires.

Regardless of the modification of winter tires, after mounting them on the rims, the wheels must be centered. There are two ways to do this correctly. Either the car is lifted on a lift and all the wheels are tested at once, spinning them up to 120 km/h, or alternate balancing takes place on a special stand. Balanced wheels help maintain the integrity of the car's suspension and also allow the car to hold the road more confidently.

How to properly install used tires:

How to determine the face of a tire

I think any motorist who changed his own wheels for the first time had the following question: “Which wheel should I put where?” Of course, I won’t tell experienced drivers anything new, but many beginners read me and I think this information will be interesting for them. This is what today’s article will be about, especially since it is more relevant than ever, because... The time for “re-shoeing” has already begun.

Right or left?

This is the most common question among those drivers who are changing tires for the first time. In general, to answer this question you just need to look carefully at your “tires” - everything is written on it. The main thing is to understand the markings and understand what type of tires you have.

Inner and outer side of the tire

A tire may have an inner and outer side if its tread pattern is not symmetrical.

The inner side of the tire is indicated by the indication “Inside”; this side of the tire should be installed inside the car in the direction of its movement.

The outer side of the tire is indicated by the indication “Outside”; this side of the tire should be installed outside the car in the direction of its movement.

Such installation restrictions are associated with the characteristics of the tire tread, which drains water most effectively only when the tire is installed correctly.

The importance of directional tire installation for different tread types.

So, as noted earlier, tires can have a non-directional, directional and asymmetrical pattern.

It is this pattern that determines the requirements of tires for directional installation:

• non-directional tires, by the way, the most budget option, work equally in any direction of rotation;
• asymmetrical - require careful installation, since such tires have a strictly defined direction of rotation - internal (indicated on the tire by the word “ins>

That is why the question of the direction of tire rotation is most relevant for owners of tires with a directional tread pattern. Fortunately, today almost all manufacturers put “hints” on their tires: large arrows are drawn on their sidewalls, which precisely indicate the required direction of rotation. Although there may be only one arrow, then the word “Rotation” will be present next to it.

If they are not there, know that tires with a “herringbone” should be installed so that the top of this herringbone touches the road first when rotating, that is, it looks in the direction opposite to the movement of the car.

Please note that in some cases there are tires that have both an asymmetrical and directional tread pattern. They should be installed according to generally accepted markings.

What is rotation on tires

The main factor to pay attention to is the tire tread. A well-chosen pattern will maximize the contact patch with the road and help drain water and slush, preventing rubbing. Wheels come in both directional and non-directional patterns or asymmetrical structure. They differ in technical characteristics, production costs and recommended conditions of use.

A set with a symmetrical non-directional tread is considered universal. In addition, the technological process for producing such tires is much simpler than special tires, which has a positive effect on the price. In addition, it is easy to install tires with such a tread, because it is impossible to mix up the seats.

However, this pattern does not provide maximum tire-road contact in adverse weather conditions. This solution is a compromise. It is better to use universal tires as a spare tire , which can easily fit in any place, but not as an everyday option. Directional tires have their own pattern, which allows them to more effectively drain water and resist hydroplaning. The performance compared to a tire with a non-directional pattern is much higher. However, if they are installed incorrectly, the tread grooves will, on the contrary, draw in drops. Therefore, it is important to install such tires correctly.

These wheels have their own designation in the form of the Latin word Rotation. The direction of movement is indicated by the corresponding arrow. The disadvantage of such tires is that the wheels can only be placed on a certain side without removing them from the rim due to the fact that the tread pattern varies. If you want to put the left wheel on the right side, you need to remove the tires.

Advice.

If you encounter difficulties in determining the direction of tire rotation, do not hesitate to consult specialists who will help you understand all the nuances and also provide more accurate information on this issue.

Approach the issue of installing tires competently and wisely, because your safety depends on it!

There are three types of tire tread patterns: symmetrical, asymmetrical and directional.

An asymmetric tire conventionally consists of two halves: outer and outer, which have their own pattern and arrangement of blocks. To understand which side of the tire should look inside the car and which outside, there are inscriptions on the sidewall - inside and outside.

Inside (inner) – denotes the inner side of the tire;

Outside (out) – denotes the outer side of the tire.

Compliance with the marks is very important, since its functionality depends on the position of the tire on the car: braking performance, handling, noise level, resistance to aquaplaning, and so on. For example, the outer side often has a small stiffening rib that strengthens the tread blocks and maintains their shape during high-speed maneuvers.

The outer tread blocks are connected to each other by a stiffening rib to maintain their shape and not deform during turning. But on the inside the blocks are not connected to each other.

Main types of tire tread patterns

Regardless of seasonality of use, all modern tires are divided into three main types according to their tread pattern:

Each of these types has features of installation and use. The easiest way to determine the specific type of tire is by the markings on the side surface or by the characteristic tread pattern.

Non-directional tires

The tread patterns of these tires are very diverse. They do not have any special markings and are installed on the car in any order.

Tires with directional symmetrical pattern

They have a special V-shaped pattern and special markings on the outer sidewall of the tire in the form of the inscription “ROTATION”, as well as an arrow indicating the desired direction of wheel rotation.

Tires with directional asymmetric pattern

They have different patterns on different sides of the working surface of the tread and are marked with the word “Outside” on the outside of the tire. Additionally, there may be an inscription “Inside” on the inner side.

A variety of markings for such tires are the designations “Right” and “Left” on the outer sidewalls. Depending on the inscription applied, tires are placed only on the right or left side of the car.

Correct installation of the outside inside tire

In order for an asymmetric tire to behave correctly on the road, it must be installed in accordance with the marks: outside - outward, inside - inward.

It happens that visually the tires on the right and left axles look in different directions, as if they are installed in opposite directions. However, if the tire marks are pointing in the right directions, then the tire is installed on the car correctly.

The tires are marked outside. In this case, the right tire “looks” up, and the left one “looks” down, which gives the impression that the tires are installed in the opposite direction to each other.

The outside and inside marks are used to indicate which side of the asymmetrical tire should face outward and which side should face inward of the vehicle.

Correct installation of the directional tire as a guarantee of safety

From the very moment natural rubber tires were created, attempts began to create something more advanced. The automobile wheel was not far removed from its predecessor, the horse-drawn cart, and often served for several months before the seasons changed. In summer the rubber burned from the heat, in winter it tanned.

A major breakthrough occurred in 1927, when Soviet scientist Sergei Lebedev invented synthetic rubber. It was free of the disadvantages of its natural parent, since it was now possible to change the properties of the material to achieve a better result.

Today, 99% of tires are made from artificial material. This made it possible to make the profile flatter, increasing the traction area. It is now possible to apply a tire tread pattern. And with it, various installation directions appeared...

Recommendations on how to determine the direction of tires

Tire rotation direction

If the car pulls to the side when driving and the tires quickly wear out, why could this be?

Have you made repeated wheel alignments, but the problem does not go away? This may mean that the tires are not installed correctly.

Before installing the tires, 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 installed correctly.

Popular tire models

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5
  Goodyear Eagle Sport Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 14 / 15 / 16

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Goodyear Eagle Sport TZ tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 16 / 17 / 18

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 5

  Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4

  Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires with Kevlar

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20

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• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Goodyear Eagle Sport SUV TZ tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 17 / 18

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4

  Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Tires Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4

  Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 tires

  Seasonality: all-season Spikes: no Diameter: 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 5

  Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 18 / 19 / 20 / 21

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22

• Yandex.Market rating: Yandex.Market: 4.5

  Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 19 / 20 / 21

• Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS Tires

  Seasonality: summer Spikes: no Diameter: 21

The tread on the tires provides traction. You can determine by the tread:

• seasonal purpose of rubber - for example, it is correct to install tires with metal studs for the winter in a climate zone with frequent thaws and ice;
• in which direction should the tire move (if there are no markings on the rubber, you can determine the side with an asymmetrical pattern by its rigidity - the outer side is stiffer, the correct way to install the tires).

The tread pattern on asymmetrical ones is larger on the outside. Do not purchase one with even the slightest difference in the pattern - the tires rotate with minimal lag - uneven grip on the road surface. Especially important for highways and sharp descents.

Classification

All car tires are divided according to the direction of the tire pattern, forming several classifications:

Symmetrical (without direction) – can be installed in any position without restrictions.

• Asymmetrical - must stand in a certain position. On the side there is an inscription for ease of installation: “Inside (inside)” and “Outside (outside)” or synonyms of these words.
• Directional – the strict direction of the tire tread is indicated. The direction of rotation of the tire is indicated by the inscription “Rotation”, as well as an indicating arrow. Where the arrow points, the wheel should rotate in that direction.
• Left and right - there are a number of tires that must be placed on their side. The sides are designated by the words “Right (right)” and “Left (left)”. If there are no markings, you can choose where to put the tire on your own.
• If rubber combines several classifications, then the tire must be installed in accordance with the (generally accepted) markings.

Varieties of tread patterns

Important: when installing the wheels, it is necessary that all the “Inside” signs are installed in the direction of the driver!

How to correctly install tires on a car according to the tread pattern

It is important for every motorist to know how to properly install summer and winter tires on a vehicle. In the case of a non-directional tread, this is easiest to do, because the direction of rotation of the wheels is completely unimportant.

Let's consider the case of directional tires, that is, how to correctly install the tires on a car in the direction of the arrow. You need to find a mark on the rim that says “ROTATION”. This is "rotation" in English. The direction of rotation is indicated next to the arrow. It must be installed in accordance with these instructions, taking into account that the wheel rotates as it moves forward.

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“Correct installation of tires: not everything is as simple as it seems” Read more
If you want to understand why you need to comply with the requirements of the tire manufacturer, we will now try to do this. The protector is made directional for a reason. This pattern allows you to effectively remove water, slush, and dirt from the contact patch. After all, all this significantly reduces the grip of the wheel on the road. If there is no outlet, then in difficult road conditions the effect of aquaplaning is observed when the tire loses traction with the asphalt. Effective drainage using a protector avoids this dangerous phenomenon.

Rotation

Tire rotation direction

Some tires (for example, Bridgestone) can be swapped. This is done only crosswise. This means that it is possible to drive 45-60 thousand kilometers, and after that change the location of the wheels. It is possible to put a front left one in place of the right rear one, and a front right one in place of the left rear one. This can be done with the front wheels, but in a strictly defined order.

If the direction of tire movement is specified, the wheels are rearranged on one side, i.e. Front tires are swapped for rear tires and vice versa.

When the tires are symmetrical, it is possible to change the arrangement in any order.

What happens if directional tires are installed in the wrong direction?

Here everything is according to the logic of what is happening, but in reverse order. If it becomes more difficult for everything under our wheels (dirt, wet snow, water) to be squeezed out, since the grooves will be aimed at taking in all this medium, then in fact it will turn out that excess pressure will form in the center of the tire, in the contact patch. It will try to lift the tire, which will worsen the grip of the rubber on the road. Of course this is not safe.

However, if we talk about a dry road, when there is no water on the street, or it’s frosty and there’s just snow, then the presence of such grooves that drain water and slurry essentially does not oblige you to anything. Also, such grooves will not affect the situation with limited speed, about 5-20 km/h.

Installation

Installing Bridgestone asymmetric tires does not require highly skilled skills if you remember a few instructions. The inscriptions “Inside” and “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, you need to focus on moving forward.

Symmetrical (non-directional) tires are installed at the discretion of the owner. Therefore, they do not have any instructions for installation.

Important: if at least one wheel is installed incorrectly, then vehicle control will deteriorate sharply, and the tires will quickly become unusable!

Installation is best done as follows:

Loosen the mounting bolts. To raise

Correct installation of asymmetric tires

car, you need a jack and a flat surface. After which the old wheels are removed and new wheels are installed.

Proper installation of summer, winter or all-season tires guarantees 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.

Directional Tires: Why Be Correct?

The direction of the tread was conceived by experts for a reason. This tire design has a practical purpose - eliminating the effect of aquaplaning on a wet road. If this happens, the vehicle or specific tire will lose contact with the road.

Directional tires

The removal of dirt and water is similar in principle to a centrifugal pump. Only here another force acts - pushing out water. Sediment on the road falls into the grooves and is discharged outside. The situation repeats itself every time the grooves change due to wheel rotation. Due to a kind of lubrication, the contact of the tire with the road surface is improved.

The groove rule will tell you the correctness in the direction. They should extend from the contact patch of the tire to the rear of the car when looking at the wheel from the top left. For the right side the situation is the opposite - from the rear of the vehicle to the spot.

Inside/Outside marking on the tire surface - what is it?

As already mentioned, the asymmetrical tread is one of three design options for the working area, and every year it is gaining more and more popularity, as it provides improved vehicle performance. Asymmetrical tires consist of two halves - the inner and outer sides of the treadmill, each of which has its own functions. One may have a directional structure, the other may be undirected.

Their location relative to the car body is strictly defined, since the outer side of the tire usually consists of larger blocks that provide traction when cornering, and also has a continuous stiffener to control the shape of the frame and strengthen the tread blocks. But the internal area is often divided into separate, smaller blocks, which mainly improve water drainage from the contact patch and reduce the risk of aquaplaning. The inside half of the tread is softer than the outside, since most of the driving load is on the outside of the tire (although this may not be the case if you have poor alignment).

Therefore, if you put the tire on the wrong side, you can experience numerous problems with handling, acoustic comfort, accelerated wear, etc. In fact, getting the sides of a tire mixed up is like a person putting a shoe on the wrong foot, but with more serious consequences for the safety of the owner.

In order for the owner to understand which side of the tire should be facing the car body and which outside, manufacturers put a special inscription on the sidewall, which will mean:

Inside – the inner side of the tire;

Outside – the outer side of the tire.

Another marking option with the same meaning: Side Facing Out (outside) and Side Facing Inwards (inside).

Left or Right labels are also possible, which indicate the sides of the installation relative to the car, left or right, respectively. It is also not recommended to violate their placement - the Right tire is placed only on the right, the Left tire only on the left. Directional models are marked with an arrow and the word Rotation to indicate the direction the wheel is moving.

Once again, we note that following all these markers is extremely important for the vehicle’s performance on the road and your safety.

Tread pattern type and direction of rotation

Most modern tires have a directional tread pattern, the direction of rotation of which is usually indicated by an arrow on the sidewall of the tire.

Therefore, installation of tires with a directional pattern can only be done in a strictly defined position, which must be clarified before installing them on the car.

A minority of modern tires have a non-directional tread pattern. These tires can be installed on either side.

You can find out exactly the type of tire tread pattern and its direction of rotation from the salesperson in the store.

How to properly install a tire with an asymmetric tread pattern?

First of all, you need to understand that this is an asymmetric tire. Often the asymmetry is mild, and the owner can install the tire without looking, like a regular symmetrical model, which can be installed on either side. Always pay attention to the markings of the sidewalls - it can tell a lot not only about which side to put it on (inside and outside), but also what conditions the tires are suitable for, reveal the release date, size, etc. If you haven’t read our article, where we examined in detail each symbol on the side of the tire, we recommend that you read it.

You should absolutely not install tires on a whim - it seems that if the drainage grooves point in the right direction, then that’s how it should be. You don't know exactly what drainage and traction technology the creators used, or how they planned to install the tire. There will be no problems if you install according to the Inside marking - the side of the wheel is pressed against the car body, Outside - faces the street. Left – install the tire on the left of the car, Right – on the right. The arrow points strictly in the direction of movement.

How to correctly install tires on a rim according to the marks

When buying tires, many people paid attention to the various color marks on their surface. However, only a small number of motorists know their correct meaning. Moreover, these icons, applied with paint, are quickly erased during use of the product. Therefore, information is only available until the tires are installed on the rim. Let's review the main types of tags used in our time.

• Yellow dots or triangles
  Manufacturers indicate the lightest point of the tire with a yellow marker in the form of a circle or triangle on the side surface. The diameter of the paint spot is 5–15 mm. During installation, this mark must be aligned with the L icon on the disk. If such a symbol could not be found, you need to place the mark on the tire opposite the air valve (nipple). By following these simple recommendations, it is possible to assemble the most balanced wheel, which is much easier to balance.
• Red dots and triangles
  The red mark indicates the hardest part of the tire. In this case, stiffness also means more weight. This mark must be positioned correctly when installing a tire. You need to align the icon with the nipple or the letter L on the disk. In this case, the letter L denotes the lightest place on the disk. Most often, red icons can be found on tires from the original set of the vehicle. The rims that come with a new car have white dots that must be positioned opposite the red mark on the tire.

  There is one more very important addition that all drivers should know. To correctly install the tires, when performing this operation yourself, you should be guided by the yellow marks - and they should be located opposite the nipple. You can ignore the red dots, as they serve to ensure the correct installation of the wheels in a factory assembly line.

• White circle or dot
  It is common among tire manufacturers to use a white mark. This sign is intended for car assemblers. It indicates the location of minimum radial force deflection. That is, this is the most flexible part of the tire sidewall. During wheel installation, such a mark is aligned with the letter L on the disk or placed near the top mark of the wheel.