Directional tires

[nismou20]

So, I understand running directional tires oppositely affects wet performance mainly but does it really impact dry performance? I suppose much of it depends on tread pattern between tire manufacturers.I’ve read that it could affect braking distances but anyone have first hand experience one way or another?

[bajaroadster]

Why would you want to run them "oppositely " ? I personally dont have any experience doing this, but am guessing that defeating the purpose of the directional tread design would effect performance most in wet driving situations as the grooves in the tires are designed to cannel the water from under the tire effectively , among other things. Are these a "high performance" tire or a standard all season tire? Rubber compounding is going to be a big factor. If your just trying to rotate them ,just go front to back, not side to side.

[nismou20]

Point is I never drive this other car in rain and tread design is mostly for wet traction. It’s a all season P-zero tire and I want to get more life out of them and wear in the other side before retiring them. Wear ratings are 500, came with car. I can’t rotate front/back cause of staggered 16/17 wheels, standard on Lotus.

[spl310]

https://nomoneymotorsports.com/2019/10/ ... backwards/

YMMV

[nismou20]

Thanks for that! Pretty much what I was thinking.

[theunz]

500 tread ware tires on a Lotus, that’s just so so wrong

[redroadster]

All radials at first, 1975? , were one side only til the eighty's the steel belt wires would break easier and poke thru the rubber when run backwards , I took some in the hand doing FEAs
What speed rating z ? Your talking about designated L and R side tires here .

I kinda like running half tread tires too ,in the summer they' feel closer to slicks on dry payment of course esp on H rated ones

[rwmann]

"I want to get more life out of them and wear in the other side before retiring them"

Reverse your camber... or maybe not. Easy decision.

[spl310]

What speed rating z ?

I am surprised that as an ASE Master Tech you aren't aware that a Z speed rating is for 149MPH+

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/spee ... ubEALw_wcB

[redroadster]

Correction..... up to ? 149. Doesn't mean you can't drive with them on a slower ride , if he wanted to use them for clearance reasons for instance.
the designated Left or Right tires were Z rated or better
That link you posted is incorrect as I knew it ,( starting in 1977) it makes no sense
See my link
https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/wha ... res.73141/
Ok so 149 mph and up= even faster to 300 ? The whole reason is to set limits
I don't think it was stated that way years ago, likely a response to the W&Y rated tires that are so rare they're not worth mentioning

[spl310]

It says 149 and over in the link that you posted - just as the one I posted... That thread has another link to an article from Tire Rack that says "the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h"