Rotational Tyres

sogood

As part of an overall upgrade of sorts, I will be replacing the tyres on an xj6 in the not too distant future. It is currently fitted with rotational tyres, including the spare, which is a full size tyre on a full size rim. Now, as it stands, if I get a flat, then, depending upon which side of the car the flat is on, the tyre will either match, or not, as the case may be. That is, the rotation will be pointing the wrong way! the only way around this is to have the tyre removed and reversed, until the next time! And the flat, which has been repaired will also possibly fall into the same trap. Having a "standard" non rotational tyre as a spare might not be much of a solution either.What's the point of fitting rotational tyres? Better grip/ braking? Surely this would be compromised by a tyre pointing the wrong way? Either way, I will probably replace them with "standard" tyres. Just wondering what the general view on this might be.

pa990

sogood wrote: »

..... rotational tyres,.....

i presume you mean directional tyres.

Senna

Wouldn't make any differences if its only a spare, you could drive for ages and not even notice you have a directional tyre pointed the wrong way (but not advised). Grip wont be as good in the wet with it pointed the wrong way, but it wont spin you of the road the minute you drive on it.

Directional are normally sports tyres but I dont think there is much difference in directional or standard, as long as they're good tyres. If you are going to buy 4 new tyres then you may as well buy standards so you can cross them during correct rotation.

mickdw

Get asymmetric tyres. These tyres do not have a direction however they do have an outside and inside. This means once mounted on a rim, it can be used on either side of car. Many of the top performance tyres are asymmetric.

sogood

Many thanks for the responses and useful information. Regarding what to call them, ie; Directional/Rotational I suppose it's pretty academic unless one wants to be pedantic. They face a particular "Direction" so therefore "Rotate" in that desired direction. I only used the term "Rotational" as that's what the manufacturer has them labeled as. No doubt had I called them "Directional" someone else might have corrected me?

Nissan doctor

Directional thread designs have been superseded by asymmetric thread designs now.

Asymmetric threads from premium brands combine the dry weather grip of symmetric tyres and the wet weather grip of directional tyres and get around the spare wheel problem too.

pa990

sogood wrote: »

Many thanks for the responses and useful information. Regarding what to call them, ie; Directional/Rotational I suppose it's pretty academic unless one wants to be pedantic. They face a particular "Direction" so therefore "Rotate" in that desired direction. I only used the term "Rotational" as that's what the manufacturer has them labeled as. No doubt had I called them "Directional" someone else might have corrected me?

all tyres rotate.. thats one of their functions.. just some more useful info

exador

The originals would not have been rotational/directional

keithclancy

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/directional-and-asymmetric-tyres.html

The AA Already have an answer for you.

I must swap mine actually, bought a set of Winter Tyres already on rims and it turns out their two slighlty different models of Michelin Tyres, 1 set on the right, 1 set on the left rather than put them on with the wrong rotation i've put them on with one set on front right and front left until I can get to a tyre fitters to swap the rear left with the front right.

Its fine to have two different tyre types as long as the same type are on the front axle.

V Eight

pa990 wrote: »

all tyres rotate.. thats one of their functions.. just some more useful info

Ah! thank God thats been clarified....

sogood

V Eight wrote: »

Ah! thank God thats been clarified....

Yes, apparently. I just figured out thats why they are circular too! It helps them go around, as in, rotate, in a particular direction, unless of course the car/van/truck/tractor/jumbo jet etc. is parked. In which case, they are (temporarily) static, non rotational, non directional tyres. Oh the wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round..................(singing fades into the distance, drowned out by the patient in the next padded cell, who will only take his medication facing in a particular direction! Theres a lot of it about!) By the way, seasons greetings to one and all, and safe happy motoring in the new year!