Rotating Directional Tires for track and autocross - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

RMP · 12-02-2014, 02:37 AM

Would rotating directional tires like my RS-3's during autocross events lead to decreased performance in dry conditions? In other words, is the orientation of directional tires only important for wet grip.

I was thinking that I could just rotate tires at the event to even out wear and then rotate back before I leave.

CSG Mike · 12-02-2014, 04:36 AM

For RS3, it doesn't matter. For some slicks, it does.

bimmer635csi · 12-02-2014, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMP

Would rotating directional tires like my RS-3's during autocross events lead to decreased performance in dry conditions? In other words, is the orientation of directional tires only important for wet grip.

I was thinking that I could just rotate tires at the event to even out wear and then rotate back before I leave.

Rotating them side-to-side doesn't get you much though. The outside edge of the left-side tire is still on the outside edge when you put it on the right side in backwards rotation.

Moving front to back could help (if you are not staggered like I am) because the outer edge of the rears tend to take less of a beating than the fronts. But the directionality of the tire is still in place, so I don't think that is what you were after.

raul · 12-02-2014, 11:38 AM

My advice would be to rotate front to back until the tires reach around the mid-point of their lifetime, then flip them on the wheel and run them on the other side, rotating front to back as needed.

renfield90 · 12-02-2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raul

My advice would be to rotate front to back until the tires reach around the mid-point of their lifetime, then flip them on the wheel and run them on the other side, rotating front to back as needed.

+1. This is what I do with my Rivals.

Sleepless · 12-02-2014, 12:37 PM

It is fine to run them in "reverse" in the dry.

troek · 12-03-2014, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renfield90

+1. This is what I do with my Rivals.

arnt rivals asymetrical? +1 on rotating symetrical tires like others have said.

rice_classic · 12-03-2014, 01:26 PM

Very rarely does the carcass care. The 'tread' is directional, the tire isn't. (in most cases)

And yes, directional tires DOT tires are such for wet grip.

12-02-2014, 02:37 AM	#1
RMP Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Drives: 1992 Isuzu PuP, 2014 FR-S Location: San Diego Posts: 60 Thanks: 13 Thanked 24 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Rotating Directional Tires for track and autocross Would rotating directional tires like my RS-3's during autocross events lead to decreased performance in dry conditions? In other words, is the orientation of directional tires only important for wet grip. I was thinking that I could just rotate tires at the event to even out wear and then rotate back before I leave.

12-02-2014, 12:37 PM	#6
Sleepless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Drives: 2014 BRZ Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 639 Thanks: 299 Thanked 392 Times in 229 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	It is fine to run them in "reverse" in the dry. __________________ Pete 14 Track BRZ (Build Thread) cmslaptimer.com

12-03-2014, 01:26 PM	#8
rice_classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Nevermorange FRS Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,171 Thanks: 757 Thanked 4,206 Times in 1,807 Posts Mentioned: 78 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Very rarely does the carcass care. The 'tread' is directional, the tire isn't. (in most cases) And yes, directional tires DOT tires are such for wet grip. __________________ SCCA T4 - FRS

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12-02-2014, 04:36 AM	#2
CSG Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: S2000 CR Location: Orange County Posts: 14,562 Thanks: 8,942 Thanked 14,211 Times in 6,854 Posts Mentioned: 970 Post(s) Tagged: 14 Thread(s)	For RS3, it doesn't matter. For some slicks, it does.

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