Originally Posted by Symmetric, Asymmetric, Directional, Unidirectional - What Does This Mean?

When shopping for tires, it pays to make sure you're getting the right tread design for your driving needs. The three most common tread designs are: symmetrical, asymmetrical and directional/unidirectional. Each tread design serves a specific purpose that will effect driving characteristics and tire rotations.

Symmetric Tread Pattern

A symmetric tread pattern is the most common and features continuous ribs or independent tread blocks across the entire tread face where both inboard and outboard halves feature the same pattern. Tires featuring symmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns. Two of our highest rated all-season tires with a symmetrical tread pattern are the Michelin Primacy MXV4 and Hankook Optimo H727.

Asymmetric Tread Pattern

An asymmetric pattern is designed to blend the requirements of dry grip and water dispersal/snow traction where the tread pattern changes across the face of the tire. An asymmetric tread pattern typically incorporates larger tread ribs/blocks on the outboard side to increase cornering stability on dry surfaces by offering greater contact area. This also helps to reduce tread squirm and heat buildup on the outside shoulder. The inboard side usually has smaller independent tread blocks to aid wet and/or winter traction when driving straight ahead. Tires with asymmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns. Two of our highest rated all-season asymmetrical tires are the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus and Continental ExtremeContact DWS.

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Originally Posted by Are my Asymmetric Tires Running Backwards?

It's very common for a customer to get very excited over the tread pattern of their newly purchased asymmetric tires. While I agree the look of the grooves would lead you to have them pointing in a downward direction during rotation, the reality is there isn't a significant enough of difference for it to matter.

With an asymmetric design you need the larger shoulder block on the outside to take the abuse during cornering, this is more important than the direction of the groove on the inboard shoulder for water evacuation. The groove channels are small enough that the water will escape to the circumferential grooves when under speed. There's an unbelievable amount of force being exerted on the tire when the leading edge hits the road. Water is going to move through those lateral grooves out to the circumferential grooves for evacuation due to the force being exerted. Those grooves must also have an angle to them. While they would work just as well if they were perpendicular to the larger circumferential grooves, the tire would be very loud. By introducing an angle, noise levels are lowered.



Testing data and feedback on the tire is based on them mounted with the outside marking facing outside. The tire will perform as intended when installed in this manner. There's no left side and right design available. The fact remains, the engineers designing these tires are achieving the performance goals with this design. You'll see this on tires from all brands using an asymmetric approach.

Originally Posted by Burtonrider1002 (Post 11298560)

Whoa... You should post some pics from a little further away so we could see the whole car. That looks awesome though!

Originally Posted by Fazzster (Post 11299065)

After putting on 16" Sparco Terras' I was pleasantly reminded how a lighter wheel package can transform the feel of a low power car. Even with the clunky 70 profile all terrain tires, this package is much lighter than the stockers. The suspension feels less burdened and if you are driving a manual like me, the car accelerates much quicker. I am very happy with my choice.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...arco_small.jpg

Originally Posted by TEXAS TRAVISTY (Post 11297478)

incase anyone was wanting to go bigger on tires, I love the A/T tires

Originally Posted by Landshark (Post 11792518)

getting close to needing new ones for the OS.

last time i needed tires (besides snow tires) was 8 years ago, and went with Conti ExtremeComtact DWS's on my Evo, and liked them enough to get them for the wife's Forester. Wondering if they are still one of the better all-seasons as far as performance/value, or if there are better choices since then ...

i liked the fact that the Conti's were even pretty good in light snow. i have dedicated snow tires on my car, but the wife's OS will just get all-seasons, because she doesn't put a lot of miles on it, and doesn't go out if its snowing a lot. :lol:

any quick opinions?

Originally Posted by AWCAWD (Post 11792532)

Although I am a dedicated supporter of separate sets for winter and summer, here is a new test I found from Consumer Reports. The claim is very appealing ( see the title of the post).

Originally Posted by saintpauljeff (Post 11898501)

sorry to bump an old thread... so what has everyone been putting on for new tires lately??

Originally Posted by Hamman (Post 11898573)

I'm looking into doing a set of Falken Wildpeak AT3's soon. 235/75-15 or 30x9.50r15. I'd love to get some aluminum rims but in time :)

Originally Posted by Paul Amatulli (Post 11898640)

I just ordered the cheapest tires ive ever bought at $275 shipped for all 4 225/55/18(stock). They are called Achilles atr sport 2. I was intrigued that cheap tires like this has so many reviews, across sites and forums and also with drift cars & some Mazda 6 that came with 19" wheels everyone switches over to these.
So I lifted my OS and then put stoc.k size summer tires lol.
I had a set of sparco terras on my SX-4 and they were good quality wheels. I noticed there are several "lookalike" options out there now even on tirerack.

Check out Fifteen52 integrale wheels I think they would look good on an outlander sport and are not expensive (relative to other wheels). There is a 17inch 42 offset size that should fit well.

Originally Posted by saintpauljeff (Post 11898649)

I like the Wildpeaks! But Costco doesn't sell them... Anyone ever try the BFG Advantage TA Sports? Been trying to read up on opinions of those, Costco had a good sale on them.

Originally Posted by Paul Amatulli (Post 11898746)

I have not tried those, but I'd imagine they are tamer than K02s :p I would read reviews off a google search on forums and tirerack because I'm sure they sell those.

I used Costco once for a Jeep but the one near me will only install factory sizes whatever your car/truck came with; Which isn't normally a problem I guess for most people, but also they were more expensive if not on sale*. I bet they have a nice balancing machine though, that's what makes a good tire mounting for me I hate vibrations.

Originally Posted by saintpauljeff (Post 11898649)

I like the Wildpeaks! But Costco doesn't sell them... Anyone ever try the BFG Advantage TA Sports? Been trying to read up on opinions of those, Costco had a good sale on them.