While cleaning my car today I noticed the Bridgestone tyres are directional, meaning they are designed to rotate in a forward direction ( theres a novelty) and have an arrow on the tyre showing this.

This raised my interest and I checked all five tyres. The four on the car have arrows pointing forward.

Does this mean that I cannot swap tyres on the same axle as the direction arrows would not be pointing forward.

Does this also mean that the spare wheel can only be fitted to one side of the car as this tyre is also directional and to match the existing tyres would have to be fitted onto the near side.

Or does in not really matter. I am confused. Help.

[quote name='Doodlebug' date='Apr 22 2003, 05:26 PM']Does this mean that I cannot swap tyres on the same axle as the direction arrows would not be pointing forward.

Does this also mean that the spare wheel can only be fitted to one side of the car as this tyre is also directional and to match the existing tyres would have to be fitted onto the near side.[/quote]
Yes and yes, although in an emergency it would get you home putting it on the wrong side.

[quote name='Doodlebug' date='Apr 22 2003, 04:26 PM']Does this mean that I cannot swap tyres on the same axle as the direction arrows would not be pointing forward.

Does this also mean that the spare wheel can only be fitted to one side of the car as this tyre is also directional and to match the existing tyres would have to be fitted onto the near side.[/quote]
Yes and yes, that's what it means.

IIRC, it says in the handbook something like;
You can run the car with the tyres on the 'wrong' side, but handling may be compromised and you should rectify the situation ASAP.

[quote name='lexicon' date='Apr 22 2003, 04:31 PM']IIRC, it says in the handbook something like;
You can run the car with the tyres on the 'wrong' side, but handling may be compromised and you should rectify the situation ASAP.[/quote]
Driving the right way in directional tyres is particularly pertinent in the wet as the chevron-like treads are designed to clear water in one direction - going the other way will actually force them to aquaplane more.

You can drive with one the wrong way, I'd just be very careful about the handling and get it swapped back as soon as possible.

I've always wondered about that too, but felt about asking!!

I noticed that when some little b45t4rd let down my driver's side rear on my birthday last year - I thought it was a puncture so changed the wheel. I was more gutted at the fact I had to use my nice clean never used spare!!