I bought 4 new tires from www.discounttiredirect.com, I received 3 tires with the left rotation arrow (left>>>)and 1 tire with the right rotation arrow (right>>>. What will happen if I used one of the left directional tires on the right side, but flip the tire so that the arrow goes inside of the rim. I just spend $1300 on just tires, or should I just return the tire.

 

normally, there really isn't such a thing as a "left only" or "right only" tire. when you get directional tires, there is only one part number. the tire installer (or tire monkey, as i like to call myself and coworkers) simply places the tire on the rim according to which side of the car it is going on. it is very rare that you get directional tires that have to be mounted a certain way. unless the tire says "Side Facing Out" or something to that effect somewhere on the sidewall, just take one of your "left only" tires, turn it around, and notice that you now have two "left only" and two "right only" tires sitting in front of you. then just take your tires to your favorite monkey house, i mean tire store, and get them mounted.

one thing, though. if they are anything like my NATIONAL chain which will go unmentioned, watch the TIRE tech like a hawk, especially when lifting the car. they like to bend the pinch welds AND over-torque wheels. oh, and how does your BATTERY like cold weather?

(reading between the lines is fun, isn't it?)

 

Well the name say it all.."directional" the tires will have the >>>> arrows pointing on them. The tires need to be mounted where the direction of the arrows correlate with the direction the wheel is rotating. Later

 

take it someplace and have one of the left directional tires flipped and it will be a right side directional tire. unfortunately it happens. maybe they'll reimburse you the cost to have it done. but tire rack is also owned by the same people that own disscount tire. maybe they'll tell you to take it there and have it done for free.

 

Only asymmetrical directional tires like Goodyear Eagle GS tires have to be "left" or "right" specific. Simple directional tires can be mounted on either side as long as the rotation is in the correct direction.

 

Take one of those three tires, and turn it 180 degrees. Job well done. Now you have directional tires for all four wheels! Matt

 

KNUFF SAID:
THANKS

 

What type/brand/model of tires. At $300 a tire I would get the correct tire call them up and see what they say. Some tread patterns are asymetrical so you can't just flip it. I would think the Left and Right tires are labelled like that for a reason.