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[Terbs]

Today I learn't something which I have never bothered about before. I did not know tyres have to be fitted a certain way round. Yesterday, I changed the wheels on my saloon, putting 17" ones on. When I went for MOT, the lad asked if I had had the wheels off. I asked why, and he said the nearside pair should be fitted to the offside and vice versa.
Are all tyres like this...I thought we used to swap them round in the old days to even the wear..diagonally, etc. Is this no longer the case.!!
He did not fail the car, because he said, don't worry about it, I'll soon change them round for you.
He also said, its all ok, passed no problems, great car and low mileage

[Viral_Jim]

I think some tyres are directional and some are not.

But in any event I didn't know it was an MOT fail (I'd love to know the justification). A always thought black, round with knobbly bits on was enough for the MOT man.

[Andy B]

Depends on the type of tyre tread. Some are directional .... presumably yours were. Others have 'outside' on them and so cab go anywhere on the care when fitted correctly to a rim

[Terbs]

Yes...it is an MOT fail.
I have looked at the 16" ones which just say 'outside' on them.

[cam.in.head]

Yes this is true but even non directional and symetric tread tyres have run out lines painted around the tyre on the tread .these should be matched idealy side to side so that if the line is nearer the outside of the tread then  the tyre opposite it on the same axle should also be fitted with the line nearer the outside. They are to prevent the tyre steering the car off centre and are to do with the construction of the bands in the tyre

[Terbs]

Excuse my ignorance, Chris, but does that not make all the tyres the same, otherwise they would have to be manufactured in pairs. Or am I missing something

[cam.in.head]

Its something that not all tyre places understand.but idealy when you look at a new tyre it will have a coloured band around the tread.if its in the centre then all is good but usually its nearer one side. This shows the run out direction of the tyre . You should then match it with the nearest tyre with the band in the same distance from the other side. Bit difficult to explain. Have a google search for 'new tyres and their markings'this explains it better than i can . Cheers

[cam.in.head]

This applies to all tyres yes,including rotational and inside/outside marked. This can be a problem with part worn tyres obviously because the lines have gone !

[Doctor Gollum]

In this case Terbs, the tyres are designed to roll one way, ie forwards when driving and should be mark with the direction of rotation both as wording and an arrow of some design. This will be the same on both sides of the tyre allowing fitment to either side of the car... provided it's fitted to the wheel racing the right way... left wheels rotate left and right wheels rotate right as you face them

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

You may have problems if you fit a 17 inch tyre to a 16 inch wheel........or stretch a 16 inch tyre over a 17 inch wheel.

[Terbs]

Go back to your slumbers dear Opti....

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Go back to your slumbers dear Opti....

Yes.....time for my nap.

[Rods2]

Go back to your slumbers dear Opti....

Yes.....time for my nap.

Must have been so much easier in your childhood m'Lud when carriages had wooden wheels and were pulled by horses.