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Directional Tyres, Are they better?
Hey guys, I'm getting new tyres for my VYII under an insurance claim and have the option of directional or non-directional for the same price. I have to buy 2 of them as only two are under the claim. The mechanic said they're isn't much benefit with directional apart from water dispersion. I think the directional will look a bit better though. Is there a difference or is it just personal preference?
Replies ASAP please as my fitter needs to know today. Cheers
A Commodore is a passion. Anything else is just a car
thats about it from what i understand,just better in the wet...Originally Posted by DUK13Y
But they're more likely to have extra road noise.
Your freedom ends where mine begins
Directional tyres have better handling performance.
The reason for this is because they have a set directional rotation, the tread can be engineered to be more efficient in that direction.
Non-directional tyres have a tread that has to work at the same efficiency in both rotational directions and therefore cannot be engineered to be as efficient.
Non directional tyres are usually put on non-performance and 4WD vehicles while directional tread tyres go on performance vehicles.
Eg, Hyandai accent comes with non-direcitonal tyres form factory while a HSV Clubsport comes with directional.
The main downside to directional tyres is that is that you cannot rotate them from side to side without having to take them off the rim.
Hope that helps a bit.
LS# Eat One Today...
^^^^^
Yep that's right
Zapp
This is the sort of stuff that happens when the kids get into Dads tool box over weekend.
Money will be spent, Dreams will be shattered, Lessons will be learned, and a wealth of information will be gained.
HSV actually use asymmetrical tyres
A symmetric are the best of both worlds as far as I'm aware.
Donati..Whoa Green
Its extremely hard to answer that question. Some brand and model numbers would make it a lot easier.
Cheap directional tyres will be worse than good asymmetrical tyres.
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Apples with apples directionals are considered better for wet performance, and as far as I was aware asymmetrical are considered better again.
Obviously a non-directional potenza is better than a directional wanli.
For normal average road use you probably won't notice much difference, except the directional and asymetrical tyres tend to have a bit more road noise.
My VX SS bought new came with asymetrical Bridgestone B530's they wore well but were a bit noisey, I went for a set of Toyo symmetrical tyres this time around,
couple of reasons, cheaper than the Bridgestones, still a quality Japanese tyre and being symetrical if the inner tyre wear starts to appear on the rear I will get them flipped on the rims to even the wear out. After the Bridgestone asymetrical tyres the Toyos are much much quieter and a slightly more comfortable ride, and I have not noticed any trade off in handling, though I don't drive the SS excessively hard.
Your freedom ends where mine begins
I think people are getting a little confused.
Directional vs Non-directional is one comparison and Symetrical and Non-symetrical is another topic.
Though asymetrical tyres are only non-directional so there is an overlap in comparisons.
Here is a symetrical, directional tyre (Good):
Here is a non-directional, symetrical tyre (Good but not as good as direactional/symetrical):
Here is asymetric, non-directional tyre (Err... yeah I'm a bit lost at this point):
Moral of the point is that if a tyre is asymetrical is doesn't mean it's can't be non-direcitonal and a tyre that is symetrical can be non-direcitonal.
Last edited by Jesterarts; 28-07-2011 at 05:03 PM.
ill stick to transmissions cause you just lost me. hahahaha
Exhaust Guru
There is no such thing as an asymetrical directional tyre. All asymetrical tyres have an outside and an inside, but are not directional.
It comes down to personal preference. Each type of tyre has its pros and cons. Directional tyres tend to wear out quicker as you can't simply swap them around without removing and refitting. Rotatin g the tyres to different positions on the car can make them last longer as they are subject to different loads and wear patterns.
When i had my VX SS with 260rwkw i had some non directional pirelli dragons (regarded as a pretty decent tyre) on them. They were ok but got pretty scary in the wet. After that i decided i would try some directionals for a change to see what the fuss was about. I put some NEXEN N6000's on it and in my opinion the nexen directionals (cheaper than the non directional pirellis) were a far better tyre in all conditions. Felt far safer and much better at speeds in corners.
Glad you said 'usually'
Your freedom ends where mine begins
Your freedom ends where mine begins
I did choose my words carefully because I knew someone would bring up rock crawlers and performance 4wd'sGlad you said 'usually'
OEM+
Huh? asymmetrical and directional designs are not mutually exclusive. A tyre can be asymmetrical, directional, both asymmetrical and directional, or neither.
Asymmetrical (as opposed to Symmetrical) just means one half of the tread is a different design from the other half. These have an "outside" marking on the tyre wall. The idea behind asymmetrical street tyres is that you have one side with a design that works in the wet, and one that works in the dry - kind of a compromise between both. Lots of high performance sports tyres use an asymmetric design. They usually use this opportunity to beef up the outside shoulder since that's where you get the most wear when cornering hard without aggressive camber.
They must always be mounted with the 'outside' sidewall on the outside of the wheel, so for instance if you get camber wear on asymmetrical tyres, you're stuffed. Asymmetric tyres can be rotated in any fashion you like as long as you do not remove and remount the tyres in the wrong orientation on the wheel (outside sidewall not on the outside...).
Directional just means that the tyres are designed to rotate in one direction only. Theoretically the directional pattern offers better water dispersion but this is questionable given there have been tyres which possess directional, assymetrical designs but are not offered as a directional tyre (i.e. they only come in one type, not a left and right design) and they work fine in the wet. Example: Bridgestone RE001.
Directional tyres can only be rotated front to back (same side) without removing the tyres from the wheel. If you get camber wear on directional tyres you must remove the tyres from the wheels and physically turn them around and wheels swapped left to right (otherwise the tyres would then be rotating the wrong way).
Same thing if one side is wearing faster then the other side. Tyres must be removed and turned around then the wheels swapped left to right.
If you get tyres that are both directional and asymmetrical you will get 2 'left' tyres and 2 'right' tyres. If you get camber wear or the tyres on one side are wearing faster then the other side, you're stuffed. Literally all you can do to rotate those is swap front to rear. And if you have staggered fitment you can't rotate at all.
Directional, Symmetrical Tyre:
Asymmetrical, Non-Directional Tyre:
Asymmetrical, Directional Tyre:
Symmetrical, Non-Directional:
I think you will find that's more to do with the size of the tread blocks and the compound of the tyre rather then just because it's asym or directional.
HTH.
Last edited by TMM; 17-08-2011 at 04:58 AM.
Cheap Directionals on the back fitted wrong are mad fun in the wet ! :P Lets just appreciate this fact !
Only push bike's have 2 peddles !
Rick =]
Just aslong as you get something that doesnt have tread as hard as rock you should be fine..... But I personally prefer directions because they are better in the wet (apparently) because thats when I will need the grip the most
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