Asymmetric and directional tyres have structural characteristics which mean that they need to be fitted according to specific rules. In this guide, find out how to fit asymmetric and directional tyres correctly to ensure the best performance on all surfaces.
How do you fit asymmetric tyres?
In order to correctly fit asymmetric tyres, you need to follow the indications on the tyre sidewalls.
- The marking INSIDE indicates that this side of the tyre needs to be positioned facing inwards towards the car.
- The marking OUTSIDE (or SIDE FACING OUTWARDS, MOUNT THIS OUTSIDE, or simply OUT) should be visible for a person who is standing next to the car.
This means that the word OUTSIDE should always be on the visible part of the rim on which the tyre is fitted.
With asymmetric tyres it might seem strange for all the tyres not to be fitted with the same orientation, however this is normal. In fact, this positioning enables better water drainage and improved grip.
How do you fit directional tyres?
Directional tyres have an arrow on the sidewall (sometimes accompanied by the marking ROTATION) or another marking indicating the direction of rotation.
- To avoid any errors when fitting, you simply need to position the tyres so that the tip of the arrow is pointing towards the front of the vehicle.
- To check that your directional tyres have been correctly fitted, stand facing your car. Looking from this position, the grooves of your tyres should form V shapes with the point facing downwards.
Directional tyres can only be rotated vertically. This means that they can only be rotated from front and back and not side to side (i.e. a directional tyre fitted on the left side of the vehicle should not then be fitted on the right).
How to fit directional, asymmetric tyres
When fitting tyres that are both asymmetric and directional, you need to follow all the rules above. This means that the tyres must be placed in the right direction (following the arrow) and on the correct side (following the INSIDE/OUTSIDE markings). In other words, the correct sidewall should be on the exterior of the vehicle (OUTSIDE) and the arrow should be positioned in the direction of rotation.
Tread patterns influence the performance of a tyre in different driving conditions, so it’s important to choose the right one for your driving needs.
Symmetric, asymmetric or directional tyres: which tread pattern should you choose?
