Rotating uni-directional tires?

[NiceGuyEddie]

I've always been a nut at rotating the tires on my daily driver every other oil change. As a result, I've gotten as much as 80,000 miles on a set.

I understand the importance of getting the tire to "go the other way for a while."

I was wondering if there was any benefit, or any harm, in switching my 3-year-old Nitto NT-05's left to right for 1,000 miles or so. Mostly highway driving, nothing crazy. I live in a place where it doesn't rain for months at a time, so water channeling is not an issue.

My theory is that even if the tires wear a bit premature by going the wrong way, agitating the tires in one direction might make them better once you flip them back the proper way.

EDIT: Nitto NT-05s are symmetric and directional.

Comments?

[GoDadGo]

I've always been a nut at rotating the tires on my daily driver every other oil change. As a result, I've gotten as much as 80,000 miles on a set.

I understand the importance of getting the tire to "go the other way for a while."

I was wondering if there was any benefit, or any harm, in switching my 3-year-old Nitto NT-05's left to right for 1,000 miles or so. Mostly highway driving, nothing crazy. I live in a place where it doesn't rain for months at a time, so water channeling is not an issue.

My theory is that even if the tires wear a bit premature by going the wrong way, agitating the tires in one direction might make them better once you flip them back the proper way.

In any case, the tread on the Nitto NT-05 is not THAT directional.

Comments?

Does the tire have an arrow on it signifying the rotation?

[NiceGuyEddie]

Yes, there is an arrow direction. The wheels are off for a full car detail, and I was wondering if it would benefit to switch them just for a short while.

[Avalanche325]

To rotate directional tires where you have different front and rear sizes, you have to have them dismounted and remounted. You switch sides, but keep them rolling in the correct direction.

You do not want them turning the wrong way. As you know, it would be a problem in the wet, and for wear. It can also increase braking distance.

I get 10K miles out of mine and honestly the grip is gone at 8K. I do street, autocross and track. So while you may have tread left, you could be short on performance.

[NiceGuyEddie]

Yes, I was wondering about braking myself. I was surprised there was no video on YouTube about "why not to run directional tires backwards." There seems to be a video about just about everything, so you never know.

I would positively be concerned about rain guttering, but it don't rain here about 8 months straight.

I might go out for a "safe" drive anyway as an experiment, who knows - the tires might make more noise if run backwards. Good to learn stuff!

[rich grsc]

Yes, there is an arrow direction. The wheels are off for a full car detail, and I was wondering if it would benefit to switch them just for a short while.

Then they are NOT uni-directional tire, they are directional, don't run backwards

[BB767]

Then they are NOT uni-directional tire, they are directional, don't run backwards

Means the same thing. They are unidirectional. They are directional. They are not bidirectional. They are not multidirectional.

[BB767]

To answer your question. From the limited amount of data I have seen on the subject, it appears that the direction restriction is for benefit of the tread design only. The tire carcass should be the same as a bidirectional tire, meaning it should not be harmed when running "backwards". Everyone is correct, the tires "will not get the hydroplaning resistance and other performance driving benefits the tread is designed for" (lesschwab), which you obviously understand.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Readers Digest answer: nothing to be gained.

Jeff

[egchewy79]

Just drive backwards for the next 1000mi

[Old Timer]

Do a burn out in reverse, wear the ridges off right quick

[NiceGuyEddie]

Just drive backwards for the next 1000mi

OK, FERRIS BUELLER!

Anyway, I put the wheels on the other sides drove on the freeway for an experiment. I could not believe that there was positively a difference in tire noise at highway speed. I wasn't going to try any hard cornering or burnouts. I slammed the brakes a few times and I noticed no difference. My wheels can/will lock up at 60mph quite easily if I wanted to so I wouldn't be able to tell anyway.

Of course, I'll swap them back. As far as extending the tire life, my tires dry out before the tread wears out, but I was still intrigued by my idea.

Good conversation and good learning, thanks guys!

[NAZ]

This is what happens when you stay home and get bored. You start finding things to do even if they don't make sense.

Stay off the freeway and take surface streets. That way you have the same number of left and right turns every time you leave the house.

There, I just saved you a bunch of work.

[David Williamson]

I saw a test done years ago and the difference was small. They tested them wet and dry cornering and braking. I ran 2 out of 4 directional snow tires the wrong way for a Winter by accident once and never noticed it until spring when I took them off.
But I guess it is one of the why do it items?? if the alignment is good they should wear evenly.
David W

[Avalanche325]

Of course the world won't come to an end. But 1 ft extra braking distance can be the difference between an underwear change and a trip to the collision repair shop.

[rich grsc]

Means the same thing. They are unidirectional. They are directional. They are not bidirectional. They are not multidirectional.

Yep, musta had my thinking cap in reverse. :confused: