mismatched tires from factory?

sneather2 · 07-08-2005, 02:47 PM

I have an '05 STi with the stock Bridgestones. Today, I noticed while washing it that it looks like the two driver-side tires are the same as those on the passenger-side. All four say "outside" on the outside but the tread points towards the back of the car on the left. I don't see any writing anywhere on the tires that says "left" or "right". Considering their design, shouldn't these be side-specific? I think that SOA goofed when they assembled my car. Has anyone else noticed this?
I'm going to go in to the dealer on Monday to have them look. I've got 11,000 on those tires, though, so I don't think it would be wise (with the AWD) to just replace two tires on one side. I wonder if I'll have cause to have them replace all four?

Thanks for any input.

Xman · 07-08-2005, 02:49 PM

your tires are correct. Check this thread for info

RE070 tread direction

sneather2 · 07-08-2005, 03:36 PM

Thanks buddy. I thought I'd seen that thread before but (for whatever reason) couldn't find it again.
That amazes me that those tires aren't directional. So weird. But, I've got 11k on those bad boys and they're easily the best tires I've ever had on a car. Just killer. Even in our record-setting rainy winter here in SoCal I never once got the car out of sorts on the road. Even when I tried to do so... 8-O

shftat6 · 07-09-2005, 03:04 AM

I believe tires like ours are called ...Asymetrical.

***wdb*** · 07-09-2005, 07:32 AM

There should be a sticky titled, "HELP! My tires don't match!"

sneather2 · 07-09-2005, 05:49 PM

You know. The more I think about it the more I still don't quite understand why Bridgestone would produce a high performance tire with such a distinct & specific tread design (yes, asymmetrical) and not make them directional as well. I've had so many other tires of lesser quality over the years that all had directional components. It just doesn't make sense. One direction will inherently be more effective than the other. So, one side of the car isn't getting equal treatment.
As I previously mentioned, my car is a dream to drive and until I noticed the tires I would have never thought about this. Odd.

***austinpike*** · 07-09-2005, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneather2

You know. The more I think about it the more I still don't quite understand why Bridgestone would produce a high performance tire with such a distinct & specific tread design (yes, asymmetrical) and not make them directional as well.

They decided that having fat contact patches on the outside is more important. As I understand it the directional component is primarily for helping with wet traction. Since their goal for the STi was apparently massive dry traction that took priority. Wasn't worth the PITA of having to deal with different tires for L/R sides of the car.

Is there any car under 50k that comes with both asymmetrical and directional tires?

***Datadatum*** · 07-09-2005, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneather2

One direction will inherently be more effective than the other.

Let us know when you figure out which direction is more effective.

Earl · 07-09-2005, 10:41 PM

[QUOTE=sneather2] I think that SOA goofed when they assembled my car. QUOTE]

I thought i was the only one that got paranoid about this. I needed the p/f and d/r tires a while back and my dumba$$ was arguing with the service adviser that they're side specific tires. Well i dont think he really knew alot about re070's because he thought i was right and the parts manager finally had to step in and educate us both

.

But yeah, you got nothing to worry about

.

Oh, and SOA replaced mine for free! I love free stuff

.

sneather2 · 07-10-2005, 11:10 AM

Don't hold your breath waiting for me to figure anything out. As much as I think it's weird, that doesn't change the fact that they performed like they had spikes & suction cups in the heavy rain this last winter. I'll take that empirical evidence over my musing...

Earl, what was wrong with your tires that prompted you to get new ones from SOA? Was it the tread issue, specifically? Wouldn't the new ones be exactly the same?

07-08-2005, 02:47 PM	#1
sneather2 STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Los Angeles Posts: 292 IWSTI Addict since: May 2004	mismatched tires from factory? I have an '05 STi with the stock Bridgestones. Today, I noticed while washing it that it looks like the two driver-side tires are the same as those on the passenger-side. All four say "outside" on the outside but the tread points towards the back of the car on the left. I don't see any writing anywhere on the tires that says "left" or "right". Considering their design, shouldn't these be side-specific? I think that SOA goofed when they assembled my car. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm going to go in to the dealer on Monday to have them look. I've got 11,000 on those tires, though, so I don't think it would be wise (with the AWD) to just replace two tires on one side. I wonder if I'll have cause to have them replace all four? Thanks for any input.

07-08-2005, 02:49 PM	#2
Xman S204 Racer Feedback Score: 3 reviews Car: Blue 2004 STi Fav Mod: 2001 2.5RS Rally car... Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, C Posts: 2,822 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2003	your tires are correct. Check this thread for info RE070 tread direction Last edited by Xman; 08-19-2005 at 09:40 PM..

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07-08-2005, 03:36 PM	#3
sneather2 STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Los Angeles Posts: 292 IWSTI Addict since: May 2004	Thanks buddy. I thought I'd seen that thread before but (for whatever reason) couldn't find it again. That amazes me that those tires aren't directional. So weird. But, I've got 11k on those bad boys and they're easily the best tires I've ever had on a car. Just killer. Even in our record-setting rainy winter here in SoCal I never once got the car out of sorts on the road. Even when I tried to do so... 8-O

07-09-2005, 03:04 AM	#4
shftat6 Spec C Club Feedback Score: 1 reviews Car: 04 Focus SVT Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,473 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2005	I believe tires like ours are called ...Asymetrical.

07-09-2005, 07:32 AM	#5
*wdb* Immoderate Feedback Score: 8 reviews Car: 2005 CGM STi My Stuff: Subaru Parts Posts: 5,480 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2005	There should be a sticky titled, "HELP! My tires don't match!"

07-09-2005, 05:49 PM	#6
sneather2 STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Los Angeles Posts: 292 IWSTI Addict since: May 2004	You know. The more I think about it the more I still don't quite understand why Bridgestone would produce a high performance tire with such a distinct & specific tread design (yes, asymmetrical) and not make them directional as well. I've had so many other tires of lesser quality over the years that all had directional components. It just doesn't make sense. One direction will inherently be more effective than the other. So, one side of the car isn't getting equal treatment. As I previously mentioned, my car is a dream to drive and until I noticed the tires I would have never thought about this. Odd.

07-09-2005, 10:41 PM	#9
Earl Grassroots STI Racer Feedback Score: 5 reviews Car: Betsy Blue Fav Mod: Mud flaps Posts: 592 IWSTI Addict since: Jan 2004	[QUOTE=sneather2] I think that SOA goofed when they assembled my car. QUOTE] I thought i was the only one that got paranoid about this. I needed the p/f and d/r tires a while back and my dumba$$ was arguing with the service adviser that they're side specific tires. Well i dont think he really knew alot about re070's because he thought i was right and the parts manager finally had to step in and educate us both . But yeah, you got nothing to worry about . Oh, and SOA replaced mine for free! I love free stuff .

07-10-2005, 11:10 AM	#10
sneather2 STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Los Angeles Posts: 292 IWSTI Addict since: May 2004	Don't hold your breath waiting for me to figure anything out. As much as I think it's weird, that doesn't change the fact that they performed like they had spikes & suction cups in the heavy rain this last winter. I'll take that empirical evidence over my musing... Earl, what was wrong with your tires that prompted you to get new ones from SOA? Was it the tread issue, specifically? Wouldn't the new ones be exactly the same?