Tires
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
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Tires
I'm getting the first set of tires for my '16 Z since I bought the car. I'm getting some Michelin AS4s. Are the tires directional? Are the left and right tires different? Nothing I'm looking at states they are but it seems strange since the tire tread isn't symmetrical.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,215
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I've noticed on some tires where the tread is not symmetrical, they have arrows to denote rotation, or say outside.
It doesn't make sense to me. If the tread was the same, side to side, then, yes, I could see that direction shouldn't matter. But if the tread is different, shouldn't the same variation always be on the outside or inside?
I just assume that the tire manufactures know what's best.
It doesn't make sense to me. If the tread was the same, side to side, then, yes, I could see that direction shouldn't matter. But if the tread is different, shouldn't the same variation always be on the outside or inside?
I just assume that the tire manufactures know what's best.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,215
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
It seems odd to me, that when a tire has a different tread pattern from side to side, and is angled in 1 direction, that they would work the same if rotating clockwise or counter clockwise, and the distinctive tread pattern could be towards the center of the car or outboard.
Makes me wonder if the asymmetrical pattern is just cosmetic?
Makes me wonder if the asymmetrical pattern is just cosmetic?
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Grand Rapids, MN
For certain not cosmetic. A ton of engineering design into the profiles. When a tire maker has a asymmetrical tire like the Pilot Sport A/S 4 they need to decide whether to have a pattern or non pattern. I don't know the decision criteria but it has to surround rain, snow, and noise performance. Then they have to come up with at pattern that excels rotating both directions.
And in comparison, a asymmetric max performance summer tire like a Pilot Sport 4 S does not need snow performance at all, decent rain performance, and decent noise performance. It prioritizes steering response, grip, and tread robustness to high G cornering. In this case they don't have a pattern, just a few solid grooves.
And in comparison, a asymmetric max performance summer tire like a Pilot Sport 4 S does not need snow performance at all, decent rain performance, and decent noise performance. It prioritizes steering response, grip, and tread robustness to high G cornering. In this case they don't have a pattern, just a few solid grooves.