I wonder if you would have a smoother ride, with less noise once they face the right direction. My Nittos are also directional, so I wonder.

 

at the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, i must admit that the tires do indicate a side. although i was right that there is no arrow, there are...uh...the words "left" and "right." <commence the giggling and finger pointing> i know, i know, but in my defense, i never even thought to look for something like that. anyway, forgive my noobishness. the tires will be switched asap!

 

The only "dumb" questions are the ones that people DON'T ask, because they don't have the nads to do so.

Glad that you posted and now know more about your tires. Believe me...there are other people running out to their cars to look for arrows in the tread pattern and/or markings on their sidewalls.

Once you switch them, you should indeed see an improvement in the quietness of the ride.

A long time ago, I worked at a Porsche dealer. The Service manager was a 30 year old ***** that had recently been promoted. One day, one of my 911 customers brought his car in for an oil change and the Service Manager suggested that they do a 4 wheel rotation, while he was there. So, while waiting...the customer comes over to the showroom to shoot the breeze with me. He tells me how his car is just in for an oil change and tire rotation. I said "oh really?...I'll be right back". So, I go have a chat with the *****, I mean Service Manager and said..."hey, I understand that Jim brought his car in for an oil change and tire rotation". He says, "yep". So I asked, "so, how do you suppose it will look with the wide tires on the front?". Once he figures out that I've busted him, he says "we're just swapping them rightand left". So I say "uh huh...and what about those uni-directional tires?"...of course, this is in front of about 4 other service employees...

Again, nothing wrong with not knowing. That's how we all learn. It's the cocky SOB's that think they know everything that make sincere people afraid to ask questions.

Kudo's to ya brother!

Brett

 

ink003, "rotating" tires from side to side is not a tire rotation and provides no benefit. The standard is 1. front to back without swapping sides, or 2. rear to opposite front corner, front to back same side. Obviously one is for directional and one for non-directional tires. If your rears don't fit the front, you can't rotate the tires. Put the wheels on in the right direction and drive 'em till they're dead.

 

hey, thanks a lot guys, and thanks in particular brett! i definitely felt dumb bringing this one up to the forum (though not as dumb as i did when the mistake was first pointed out to me [&:]), but not having to be subjected to ridicule as a result is why i love this place. i have to admit, i always "liked" cars, but until i got my baby last spring, i didn't know what it means to "love" your car.

it's fun to be an enthusiast, and i have a whole hell of a lot of learning to do, but i am on my way thanks to this stop on the internet. i have never felt like this about a ride before in my life , and it's awesome! anyway, thanks for all the good advice and thanks to mustangforums in general for feeding my wonderful addiction to my mustang!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they could give you a fix-it ticket for having tread going the wrong way. Any sharp-eyed cops with time to kill where you live? Don't park near any donut shops!