Can Tires Be Put on Backwards? What You Need to Know
If you have ever been curious about the question can tires be put on backwards, you are not alone. The answer lies in the type of tire being used as some can be put on backwards and some should not.
To determine can tires be put on backwards, you need to examine your tires tread and determine whether they are Symmetric or Asymmetric. These kinds can be put on backwards and a Directional tire cannot.
A lot of people would not know the answer to this question. In this article, we will discuss what you need to know about putting tires on backwards. We will also provide some tips for how to do it safely and correctly.
What type of tires can be put on backwards?
The first thing to know about normal passenger car tires, is that there are a 3 different types. Symmetric, asymmetric and directional.
This refers to the tread pattern of the tire. The tread pattern is the name for the different lines and grooves that are moulded into the tire. This is the part of the tire that comes into contact with the road and what helps to provide grip and traction.
Symmetrical tires
The most common type of tire are Symmetric tires. They can be mounted on either side of the wheel and will still function properly. This is because the tread pattern is symmetrical and the same on both sides of the tire.
Asymmetrical tires
Asymmetric tires are also a common type of tire. They have a tread pattern that is designed specifically to be mounted on either the left or right side of the vehicle. These tires have been designed to provide optimal grip and traction while driving whilst going in only one direction.
While these tires could be mounted on either side of the wheel, they would not perform as well as if they were mounted on the correct side. Mounting them on the incorrect side can lead to accidents, especially in wet or icy conditions where the tread pattern may not be able to evacuate water or prevent the tire from hydroplaning.
Directional tire
The last type of tire is the Directional tire. These have a tread pattern that is designed to only rotate in one direction. These tires will have an arrow on the sidewall of the tire that indicates which way the tire should rotate.
These tires can only be mounted one way and if they are mounted on the wrong side, they will not perform as well as they should.
So, can tires be put on backwards?
The answer is yes, but only certain types. Symmetric tires can be put on backwards without any issue. They will still provide the same level of grip and traction as if they were mounted the correct way.
Asymmetric can also be put on backwards, but their performance will suffer.
Directional tires should not be put on backwards and should only go in the direction that the arrow or markings on the tire instruct.
It is important to examine individual tires to see if they are suitable to be put on backwards. The information of a tire will normally only show on the outside sidewall of a tire. This means that if you put a tire on backwards, you will be unable to see the tires information.
This may includes markers, arrows or information such as “inside” or “outside”, which tells you the correct way a tire should be facing.
If a tire specifically says to be put on a certain way, it is safest to follow the markings and make sure that your tire is mounted correctly. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask a professional or consult the manufacturer’s instructions.
Benefits to putting your tires on backwards
Putting your tires on backwards is not a usual practice and is not something that we would recommend. However, there are a few benefits to doing so.
The main benefit is that it can help to increase the lifespan of your tires. This is because when you put your tires on backwards, the tread pattern will be in reverse. This can help to even out any uneven tire wear that may have arisen from normal driving conditions.
However if you are looking to prolong the lifespan of your tires, we would reccomend rotating your tires as this does not require you to mount your tires and this can be done at home. It is a standard and common maintenance step to rotate your tires and we recommend you do once a year.
This is because the parts of the tire that wear down first will now be used last. If you decide to put your tires on backwards for this reason, we recommend only doing this for a short period of time before reverting to the correct side. No longer than 2/3 months at a time. This is especially important for Asymmetric tires.
How to put your tires on backwards
If you have decided that you want to put your tires on backwards, then there are a few things that you need to do.
The first thing is to make sure that you know which type of tire you have. As we mentioned earlier, not all tires can be put on backwards. You need to make sure that your tires are symmetric or asymmetric. If they are directional, then putting them on backwards is not an option.
The easiest way to mount a tire to a wheel is to take it to a tire shop. Putting a tire on a wheel is not a process that can be done by everyone as it requires specialised machinery. Doing so without the proper equipment will likely lead to you damaging your wheels.
If you do not have the proper tools or experience, then we recommend taking it to a professional.
If you are mounting the tire yourself, make sure that you have all the necessary tools. you can read our guide on how to change a tire here.
Finally, once you have mounted your tires correctly, it is important to check the pressure. This is because when you put your tires on backwards, the tire will need to be reinflated and it may not be inflated to the correct temperature.
Checking the pressure of your tires is important because it can help to improve the performance of your tires and make sure that they last longer. It is also a good safety measure to take, as driving with under-inflated tires can be dangerous.
Putting your tires on backwards can help to increase the lifespan of your tires, but it is important to check the pressure regularly and not do this for too long. Instead we would recommend rotating your tires to prolong their lifespan. If you are unsure, we recommend taking your tires to a professional.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, can tires be put on backwards? Yes, but it is not something that we would recommend. We only recommend doing this if you know what you are doing and you plan on doing it for a short period of time.
While it is not necessarily unsafe to drive with your tires on backwards, the benefits are limited and we would recommend taking your tires to a professional if you are unsure.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!
