Tyre Dilemma

[Masterkm]

I have just had an advisory on MOT for near legal limit on N/S Rear tyre and want to replace it with a new tyre. My problem is that the other 3 tyres have plenty of tread left still.

Is it possible to get one of the O/S tyres onto the N/S so I can have the new tyres on the front as the front N/S is pretty much new due to a kerb hit in December. (so I can have Falken on the front and Dunlop on the rear)

What are my options, as I presume having the 2 new tyres on the N/S only is not a great idea.

 

[LeonCR]

I would always have the tyres with more grip on the back, easier to recover from under-steer rather than over-steer

 

[Masterkm]

Good suggestion, but is it possible in my situation to get the new tyres on the one axle?

 

[andycupra]

depends if the tyres are directional. If they are directional, (most are these days) then you cannot swap from N/S to O/S or vice versa.

if they are not directional, then yes you can swap them about. (usually)

What tyres do you have on the front, and what do you have on the rear?

 

[Masterkm]

All used to be Dunlop Sport SP01 225/40/18 and then I kerbed the N/S front bad and had it changed to Falken ZE914, thats where my prob lies, what can i do with the rear N/S now?

So rears are Dunlop SP01 and Fronts are Different, 1 ZE914 and 1 Dunlop

 

[AndyG_TSi]

The 2 best dunlop tyres you currently have put on the front axle.

Buy 1 new Falken ze914 and put this on the rear with the other falken you've got

This way you have the 2 newest on the rear axle and the same tyres with the same tread pattern on each axle.

Im currenty running with bridgestone potenzas on front & michelin pilot sport 3 on rears

 

[Masterkm]

But that would mean bring one O/S Dunlops over to the N/S?

 

[AndyG_TSi]

Wouldnt matter unless the tyre pattern is o/s or n/s specific?

Even if you have 4 identical tyres you can still rotate from n/s to o/s & vise versa...eg o/s rear to n/s front

 

[Masterkm]

Is there a way I can tell if they are specific or not? Never rotated these alloys since I had them so still gathering info lol

 

[AndyG_TSi]

I doubt they are offside or nearside specific some high end sports car tyres are.

If I went and bought 4 new michelin ps3's tomorrow, the tyre fitter wouldnt think which tyre goes on which side
They just ensure that the 'outside' marker is on the outside of the wheel & the rotation market is the correct way.
Any of the tyres can go on any corner.

You can rotate the wheels every 6 months this just prolongs tyre life
You shoud be able to rotate....

O/s rear to n/s front and o/s front to n/s rear or n/s rear to n/s front....
Providing the rotation marker on the tyre is showing the correct direction of rotation

 

[AndyG_TSi]

To be o/s or n/s specific, it would relate specifically to the tread pattern IIRC

 

[Masterkm]

Thanks for your help and advice will get this sorted soon as i pass mot with new drop links.

 

[andycupra]

so i think the ZE914 can be run either side.. but that doesnt help you.

you will need to replace the worn tyre for another falkern, then you will need to get one of the dunlops removed and put on the other way around. have the new tyres on the rear and worn on front.

EDIT, dunlops are asymetrical, (not directional) so i believe they can be moved around ok.

 

[Masterkm]

So the One dunlop will need to be changed around on the one alloy you think? The falkens I will put on rear definately and dunlops up front.

 

[andycupra]

EDIT:
just thought the dunlops are asymetrical rather than directional i think...
so i think they can be fitted on the other side ok.

 

[AndyG_TSi]

Ah yes, asymmetrical, thats the word I was looking for....

Heres a handy link....

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/12/08/how-to-rotate-your-car-tires/

 

[AndyG_TSi]

Yes one of the dunlops will need to be swapped on 1 alloy t to keep the rotation arrow pointing the right way

 

[LeonCR]

Yes one of the dunlops will need to be swapped on 1 alloy t to keep the rotation arrow pointing the right way

Not if they are asymmetrical

 

[Masterkm]

I will make sure the arrow is pointing in the right direction, google says they are assymetric tread tyres?

 

[LeonCR]

Should have outer printed on the tyre