I have heard of it before, would it acutally make a difference.

Runnint a street radial(yokohama AVS ES100) in revers as opposed to the correct way at the track.

(spare set fo wheels I put on for track only.)

 

If it's a directional tire - meaning it is designed to roll only one way - I wouldn't run it "backwards" for any length of time and especially not for racing and/or high speeds. According to my tire dealer (I asked them one time) it can damage the tread and the belts could separate. If it's not a directional tire it doesn't matter which way it rolls. But after a certain length of time (miles) everything takes a "set" if you don't rotate them on a regular basis, which can make the tire roll kind of rough.

If you're going to use a spare set of rims and tires why not just get a pair of DR's?

 

never heard of it with a street tire but....A few years back in motor trend when they were running that orange "boss" mustang against the ZL1 camaro (the black/silver one) I remember them saying that they did exaclty what you are describing after making a few runs.The theory is that after a few runs the rubber is all "flowing" the same way on the tire and it's supposed to be akin to "petting a dog against the fur" when you rotate them. I don't remember whether or not it helped though...

 

i wouldnt do it. i also thought i'd throw in that i had the chance to look at and touch that camaro at wheel to wheel's open house last saturday. bad *** car!!!!

 

I recall reading an article a few years ago about running directional tires backwards. From what I remember, there isn't a safety concern; it's more of a concern about wear, channeling water away from the tire (aka don't drive in the rain like this), and extra road noise.

 

According to my tire dealer (I asked them one time) it can damage the tread and the belts could separate.

 

Your tire dealer is incorrect. All the directional tread deals with is traction, and ride comfort like mentioned.

 

No offense or flame intended, but do you have any professional qualifications to back up your opinion? My dealer has their people trained by some of the tire manufacturers being that we have to major ones in our area. I would assume they would know what they are talking about and I'm just repeating what they've told me.

 

I worked as i tire tech changing tires for 3 years while in college for a very large tire tire company out west. I have had a lot of training dealing with the different types of belt separations and what causes them.

 

Understood. Hands-on experience can be valuable.

The technicians who work at the dealer where I typically buy or have my tires installed (if they can't give me a better price ) receive training from Michelin and Pirelli, who both have manufacturing plants in my area.

 

LOL! The operative word here is "most", not all

 

i always rotate my slicks.

 

Tires can't be designed to only roll one way!? What the hell would they have done in "2 Fast 2 Furious" when Spilner wanted to drive that Mitsubishi backwards on the freeway?!?!



Maybe I'll try running my DR's "backwards" next season and see if it makes a difference?

 

Watch out, it may cause you to launch backwards.

 

Front to back, or side to side?