Tere are two main types of tread patterns on tyres: symmetrical and asymmetrical. The directional tread pattern is one of them. Although these tread patterns appear to be similar when viewed from a distance, they are actually very different. Better traction and resistance to aquaplaning are provided by directional tyres. However, high-quality tyres are preferred, like Goodyear tyres Coventry In this blog post, we are going to discuss a detailed overview of directional tyres and the difference between directional tyres and other tread pattern tyres. We also talk about the benefits of using directional tyres. If you are interested in knowing more about directional tyres, then keep reading.

What Are Directional Tyres?

The tread pattern on directional tyres is clear-cut and differs from other tread patterns in that it is only designed to rotate in one direction. This doesn’t mean that the tyre cannot be driven in reverse direction. Rather, it refers to the direction in which the tyre must be mounted on the car. Directional tyres are mainly designed for high-performance vehicles.

Directional Tyre Performance

Directional tyres, like the Goodyear Eagle F1 Directional 5, are designed for improved traction, performance and handling on wet or dry roads. But of the V-shaped tread pattern, directional tyres excel at draining water, which offers excellent wet traction and helps you avoid hydroplaning. Mostly, directional tread patterns are found on many summer and winter tyres.

How Do You Tell If Your Tyres Are Directional?

When you take a quick look, the tread will look like an arrow pointing in the direction the tyre rotates, which should be towards the front of your vehicle. When you take a closer look, you may notice that the tread pattern has a solid ribbed centre with the tread moving up and away from the centre of the tyre, like a V or Y shape.

Another way to find out if your tyres are directional is to check the mounting direction. Since directional tyres can only be fitted facing a certain direction, an arrow or indicator is placed on the sidewall of the tyre to show the direction in which the tyres should be mounted.

Mounting Directional Tyres

When mounting directional tyres, they should be fitted on the vehicle facing the correct direction. While tyres with asymmetrical and symmetrical patterns do not require a specific direction when fitted on a car, if you install directional tyres in the wrong way, it can minimise the benefits of the tyres, but it can also cause them to wear out faster than the manufacturer’s mentioned period.

Asymmetric tyres also require proper mounting onto the wheels because these tyres have an inside and outside face. Once you mount them on the wheel correctly, they can be installed facing any direction on the vehicle.

Directional tyres are made to be facing one direction only; they cannot be rotated like asymmetrical tyres. With asymmetrical and symmetrical tyres, tyre rotation normally consists of moving the front wheels to the rear and the rear wheels to the front following a specific plan of action.

On a front-wheel drive vehicle, the rear tyres are moved to the opposite sides on the front, and the front tyres are moved to the same sides on the rear. On all-wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel vehicles, or rear vehicles, the rear tyres are moved to the same sides on the front, and the rear tyres are moved to opposite sides on the rear.

The tyres of all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles can also be rooted in a double X pattern where the rear tyres are rotated to opposite sides on the front and the front tyres are rotated to the opposite side on the rear. With asymmetrical and symmetrical tyres, all of these methods let the tyres remain on the wheel during a rotation process.

What Are The Benefits of Directional Tyres?

Most directional tyres excel in two areas that are high-speed handling and water evacuation. As we discussed earlier, the centre ribbed design along with the V-shaped tread pattern helps drain water out of the tyre while maintaining strong road contact, allowing it to prevent hydroplaning. Directional tyres also offer better handling and traction in dry conditions.

Directional tyres have an optimised tread that is designed for strong road contact, These tyres offer better cornering, grip and handling than some other types of tyres, such as all-season tyres.

Difference Between Directional and Non-Directional Tyres

Apart from directional tyres, most tyres will fall under the category of either asymmetrical tyres or symmetrical tyres.

Symmetrical Tyres

The symmetrical tread is the most common tread pattern used on tyres. These tyres offer the same tread pattern on the inside and outside tread blocks. These Tyres Coventry don’t have to be installed in a certain direction, making tyre rotations a bit simpler and easier compared to directional tyres.

Asymmetrical Tyres

Asymmetrical tyres have different tread patterns on the inner and outer tread areas. For example, half of the tyre may have a directional pattern, while the other half has a more symmetrical tread pattern.