Can a car tyre be put on the wrong way?

Question

i.e. with the side facing out that should be facing towards the in-side?

Thanks for your answer itablok, but does this mean that if you need to use your spare wheel after a puncture, you may have to put it on the wrong side of the car?

Answer 1

chunky is right to point out the difference between outside/inside and direction of rotation. For example, you can fit on any wheel a tyre that has the outside specified, because the side closest the wheel nuts will always face outward. However, that tyre will rotate either clockwise or anticlockwise depending on whether you put it on the driver's side or passenger's side.

Basically, it should be fine. I do it all the time on my car (when the spare has got arrows on it) and my bicycle (when I make a mistake!). Tyres aren't so flimsy that they will fail if you rotate them in the opposite direction. The tangential stresses are roughly the same in either direction, so they're designed to take a beating both ways. You may get slightly less grip in wet conditions.

The last time I saw a tyre cross-section it looked perfectly symmetric (left to right). This would indicate that it doesn't matter which way round (outside/inside) you put the tyre on.

Whenever you change a tyre, you should always rebalance the wheel, otherwise you can damage the wheel bearings when you're going fast. This is because the uneven distribution of mass (which is inevitable) causes bending of the axle by centrifugal forces. Those lead weights around the rim of the wheel are to counteract out-of-balance masses in another plane, so that bending at the wheel bearing is eliminiated (it still happens elsewhere though).

Answer 2

Yes, they can be put on backwards, but this doesnt mean that they should. The tread on a tire was created to operate in a certain direction, which helps traction, and allows the tire to run over rainwater without hydroplaning(Running on TOP of the water). When installed backwards, the tire looses the ability to pump the rainwater on the road out from under it, causing a potentially dangerous condition called, as mentioned before, hydroplaning. It also affects the tires ability to hold the road properly, and, if it is a steel belted radial tire, can destroy the tire, causing a blowout at highway speeds.

Answer 3

OH YES!!!. and this is also very dangerous.

More than the outside facing the inside the problem is the side wich should go forward (the one which has grip) would face backword with as a consequence of losing traction and the control of the vehicle.

Also the pressure of the tyres is extremely important and generally they have to be approved by the maker of your car.

Answer 4

Absolutely...many tires are "directional" in that they are designed to spin in only one direction...high speed/performance tires for sports cars are like this. If put on the wrong way or on the wrong side of the car, the tire can wear abnormally and even go out of balance. Check the tire for a directional arrow on the sidewall, etc. and this will tell you if this is the type of tire you have.

Hope this helped.

Answer 5

you may regardless of if that's never an outstanding factor. Like in this occasion the place going with a tire that's taller, in simple terms approximately truthfully has a narrower touch patch, and a decrease velocity score. What you will accomplish is to placed on a tire which will throw off your odometer and speedometer (you would be rushing once you think of you're actually not), replace your MPG and adversely consequence the handling of the motor vehicle. they may additionally rub besides.

Answer 6

2 types one with arrows marking direction of rotation and the other with outside/inside marked on tyre.
both can be fitted the wrong way but if you have a puncture then fit the tyre but go carefully

Answer 7

Depends on the tire. Non-directional tires can be mounted either side out. Directional tread tires have an arrow on them indicating the direction of rotation (forward.) Some directional tires have sidewalls that differ in construction from one side to the other. This may result in bizarre handling if mounted wrong side out. Most directional tires have equal sidewall construction, and can be mounted either side out, although if mounted backward, can result in decreased traction on wet surfaces.

Answer 8

Yes it can, and its dangerous! As the tyre will turn in direction it is not suppose to, it could start to rip itself apart, worse case scenario and you will have very poor road traction.

Answer 9

yes ! most tyres are sided you will see an arrow pointing in the direction tyres are to spin

Answer 10

yes most tyres go a on a certain way. nearly all michellins go on one way. the tyre usually says outside and inside on tyres that go one way, if they dont say that they will say rotation with an arrow pointing one way. if its pointing clockwise it must go on drivers side and passengers side if anti clockwise. if you tell me what size tyre, make etc i should be able to tell you if it has got to go a certain way.