How to install tires with an asymmetric pattern. Car winter tires: correct selection and installation

Every November-December in Russia comes “tinsmith’s day,” as it is popularly dubbed: as soon as the surface twitches with the first snowball, a large traffic jam of people wanting to change tires accumulates near all the vulcanizations in the city. Craftsmen can try their hand and, armed with a jack and an adjustable wrench, replace a wheel in the yard. But replacing tires on rims, at first glance, is not something everyone can do. Situations on the roads are different and every driver, sooner or later, has the need to put the tire on the rim himself. How to do it yourself will be discussed in our review.

Changing tires at home is not as scary as it might seem at first glance. From all the variety of stamped, cast or forged wheels, a motorist just needs to decide on the appropriate option. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the parameters of the disks, because a small discrepancy can be too expensive (size in inches, offset, diameter for the hub, number of mounting holes and the radius of their location).
If you decide to try replacing the tires on your rims yourself, in addition to the rims and tires themselves, you will need:

one or two mounts (about 30 cm);
hammer;
a sponge moistened and smeared with soap.

If you bought tubeless tire, be prepared for certain difficulties: fixing it on a disk is more difficult than a chamber one. But when the main part of the work is over, it will be enough to pump it up with a conventional pump or compressor.

First stage

The process of tightening the rubber itself is not too tedious. Lay some material and place a disk on the surface reverse side. Wet the surfaces of the disc and rubber that will be in contact thoroughly with a soapy solution. You should not use lubricants that remain on the surface - this leaves the possibility that the tire will spin during sudden braking.

Second stage

Then you need to put a tire on top of the lubricated disk, and, pressing evenly with your feet, put most of the cord on the rim. But in this way it will be possible to put on only part of the tire, then you will have to use a pry bar and a hammer: the pry bar needs to be inserted between the rubber and the disk, and then by hitting the hammer on the pry bar you need to try to bring it closer to the break point of the rubber. If you can get closer than three centimeters to this point, you can tighten the rubber. These steps should be repeated until one cord is stretched over the rim. The main thing is to use small, intense movements, otherwise you can damage the disc itself.

Final stage

Changing the tires will generally take about two hours, but the main difficulty is making sure that air does not leak through the targets between the rim and the tire cord.

And you can fix the problem in two ways:

1. Inflate one tire with twice the normal pressure and use the tire instead of a compressor. But, of course, this can only be done if you have an “extra wheel”. When opportunities don’t allow you to go wild like that, you have to look for alternative options.

2. Pour some fuel inside the tire and then set it on fire. Thanks to the vapors that explode in the tire, it will be inflated, and it will “sit” on the rim in the desired way. There are many opinions regarding the required amount of gasoline or other flammable liquid (for example, carb cleaner).

The liquid (literally just a little bit) must be injected through the gap between the rubber and the rim, and then set on fire. The wheel will jump, pop and the tire will “sit” in place. After this, we inflate the wheel to the required pressure, and you can start using it.

Every year motorists have a question: when to install winter tires? The fact that drivers ask such questions is understandable - installing winter tires too early can lead to their premature wear, and a car with winter tires feels less comfortable. But if you don’t take care of replacing tires in advance, then one day there is a risk of frost and snow falling, and operating a car on summer tires at such a moment will be not only uncomfortable, but also unsafe. Accordingly, you need to understand when to put on winter tires so as not to miss the right moment.

Table of contents:

When is it legal to put on winter tires?

The Wheeled Vehicle Safety Regulation contains a strict definition of when winter or winter tires must be installed on a vehicle. summer tires. According to the law, in the summer months (June, July and August) you can use any tires on your car except studded ones, since they have a negative impact on the road surface. During the winter months (December, January and February), you can only use tires that are designed for winter, both studded and non-studded tires can be used.

Please note: For use during the winter months Russian Federation Only tires bearing the following designations are allowed:M+S,M&S orMS. Such markings indicate that the tires are intended for winter use. Moreover, similar designations may be present on all-season tires, then their use in winter is permitted. If all season tires do not have such markings, they cannot be used in winter.

It is worth noting that regional authorities have the right to change the terms of use seasonal tires. For example, regional government regulations may require the use of winter tires from October to April. At the same time, legislators do not have the right to reduce the ban on the use of tires of one kind or another.

From all of the above, we can conclude that at any time of the year, according to the law, winter tires without studs can be used. Winter studded tires can always be used except summer period. And summer tires can always be used, except in winter.

When to change your car to winter tires

As you can see, the legislation does not have an exact date when you should change to winter tires, but this must be done before December 1st. In Russia, by December 1, there is often a heavy layer of snow on the road; in such conditions, it is unsafe to operate a car on summer tires; accordingly, you need to have time to change your shoes in advance.

It is important to remember that when replacing tires from summer to winter, you must check the tire pressure and also perform a wheel alignment, otherwise all sorts of problems may arise, for example, the car will spontaneously pull to the side while driving.

It is worth noting that among motorists, November 15 is often called “Summer Tire Change Day.” It is generally accepted that this is the ideal date to replace your tires. But, given the Russian climate, it is definitely impossible to say that on November 15 it is necessary to change the car’s shoes.

Penalty for using summer tires in winter

There is a widespread belief that the driver will be fined for using summer tires in winter. But this opinion is wrong, because There are no legal sanctions for drivers when using summer tires in winter. Indeed, legislation considered a similar bill, but it was not adopted in at the moment According to the law there are no sanctions if you use summer tires in winter.

However, there is a sanction of 500 rubles for using worn-out winter tires. A fine is imposed on the driver who uses winter tires with a tread depth in the most worn areas of less than 4 mm. This fine can be issued to the driver only if he drives a car with such tires on an icy or snowy road.

The most important and responsible element of a car, responsible for safe movement, are wheels and tires. Therefore, they need to be installed correctly.

An experienced driver will cope with this task without difficulty, but for beginners who do not feel too confident, it will certainly not be easy. Without certain skills and experience, you will face many problems and questions. But just before installing the tires, you need to understand some nuances. First of all, you should pay attention to the tread pattern, the direction of rotation, the outer and inner sides of the tire.

Pattern and direction of rotation

Most often you can find modern car tires with a directional pattern, an arrow on their side indicates the direction of rotation, so they can only be installed in a certain order.

The remaining tires have a non-directional pattern and can be installed on either side.

To avoid misunderstandings, it is better to find out the pattern and direction of rotation from the store clerk.

Tire sides

With an asymmetrical pattern, the tire has an outer and an inner side. The outer side is designated Outside, and the inner side is Inside; they are placed respectively outside and inside the car in the direction of travel.

Types of tires

Depending on the type of pattern and its direction, the following groups of tires are distinguished:

asymmetrical, the pattern of which is different on the outside and inside, and it can be directional or non-directional (we have already mentioned this above).
symmetrical, having a symmetrical tread, cord and sidewall design. In this case, there are fewer problems, because they are installed from any side.
directional, with a strictly directional pattern. They have the inscription “Rotation” and an arrow indicating the direction of rotation.
left and right, they are developed for a specific car model or for a group of identical models. They are marked “Right” (right) and “Left” (left). Depending on the inscription, they are placed only on the left or right. This rule cannot be neglected, because the efficiency of tires depends on proper installation.

If you do not find such an inscription on the tires, it means that they are not divided into left- and right-hand drive, even if the pattern is directional or asymmetrical.

Features of tire installation

To install asymmetrical tires you don’t need to be an ace, just remember a certain feature. The outer side of the tire will have the words Outside, External, This side facing outwards or Side facing outwards, depending on the manufacturer. Internal – Inside, Side facing inwards or This side facing inwards. This inscription at correct installation subsequently it should not be visible, only an indication of the external side should catch the eye.

Directional tires are a little more complicated. They need to be placed so that when the car moves forward, the rotation of the wheel coincides with the indication of the arrow on the sidewall. Right- and left-sided tires, as we have already said, are placed only on the side indicated on the tire. The side is taken into account as the car moves forward.

Symmetrical tires have neither sides (outer or inner) nor a direction of rotation, so they can be installed in any position.

If asymmetrical or directional tires are installed incorrectly, a sharp deterioration in the vehicle's driving behavior occurs. They do not work properly and therefore cannot fully realize their improved characteristics and qualities. If you are forced to drive a car with incorrectly installed tires, adhere to the speed limit (no more than 80 km/h) and be alert.

Tire and wheel installation

So, we have figured out the features of installing various types of tires, now it’s time to move on directly to the process itself. To properly remove and install wheels on your car, first of all, you need to look at the operating instructions for your specific car model. It is there that you can find specific tips and recommendations that will certainly help you. Let's get to work.

First you need to remove the old wheels and tires; to do this, unscrew the nuts. But we do not unscrew them completely, but only loosen them a little. For work it is better to use hand tools, it will be safer. Although if you know how to use an impact wrench, then go for it. If not, do not experiment, but use a regular or special car key.
Use a jack to raise the car. This must be done on a flat surface, unscrew the nuts, remove the wheels.
Distribute the tires to avoid confusion later by placing them next to the old wheels. Be careful, consider the direction of rotation, pattern and sides of the tires. Be sure to check the nuts. If they are rough or do not tighten well, this must be corrected before installing the wheels. In the store you can find a special kit that restores threads. He will just help you.
Clear brake discs and drums from dirt and rust.
Check how the wheels fit on the hub. Even a slight deviation of the center of the disk from the center of the hub will result in tire runout. This can be felt by the vibration of the steering wheel, otherwise the tire mounting will be at risk.
Use a wax spray or other suitable product to treat the bolts against corrosion.
If no problems arise, proceed to installing the wheel. Install the bolts and tighten them slightly. Lower the car, remove the jack and tighten the nuts completely.
Now it’s time for the post-installation check. Make sure the outer edge of the disc and the inner side of the rim are not touching. To do this, just run your hand over each wheel. Also be sure to check your tire pressure.

Correct tire installation guarantees the safety and reliability of your vehicle. And even if you don’t do this yourself, it would be a good idea to arm yourself with certain knowledge in order to be able to control the process. After all, even service professionals, due to their ignorance or simple laziness, do not always do their work efficiently.

The most important and responsible element of the car, responsible for safe movement, are the wheels and tires. Therefore, they need to be installed correctly.

Pattern and direction of rotation

Most often you can find modern car tires with a directional pattern; an arrow on their sidewall indicates the direction of rotation, so they can only be installed in a certain order.

The remaining tires have a non-directional pattern and can be installed on either side.

To avoid misunderstandings, it is better to find out the pattern and direction of rotation from the store clerk.

Tire sides

Types of tires

Depending on the type of pattern and its direction, the following groups of tires are distinguished:

asymmetrical, the pattern of which is different on the outside and inside, and it can be directional or non-directional (we have already mentioned this above).
symmetrical, having a symmetrical tread, cord and sidewall design. In this case, there are fewer problems, because they are installed from any side.
directional, with a strictly directional pattern. They have the inscription “Rotation” and an arrow indicating the direction of rotation.
left and right, they are developed for a specific car model or for a group of identical models. They are marked “Right” (right) and “Left” (left). Depending on the inscription, they are placed only on the left or right. This rule cannot be neglected, because the efficiency of tires depends on proper installation.

If you do not find such an inscription on the tires, it means that they are not divided into left- and right-hand drive, even if the pattern is directional or asymmetrical.

Features of tire installation

To install asymmetrical tires you don’t need to be an ace, just remember a certain feature. The outer side of the tire will have the words Outside, External, This side facing outwards or Side facing outwards, depending on the manufacturer. Internal – Inside, Side facing inwards or This side facing inwards. If installed correctly, this inscription should not be visible subsequently; only an indication of the outer side should be visible.

Symmetrical tires have neither sides (outer or inner) nor a direction of rotation, so they can be installed in any position.

Tire and wheel installation

First you need to remove the old wheels and tires; to do this, unscrew the nuts. But we do not unscrew them completely, but only loosen them a little. For work it is better to use hand tools, it will be safer. Although if you know how to use an impact wrench, then go for it. If not, do not experiment, but use a regular or special car key.
Use a jack to raise the car. This must be done on a flat surface, unscrew the nuts, remove the wheels.
Distribute the tires to avoid confusion later by placing them next to the old wheels. Be careful, consider the direction of rotation, pattern and sides of the tires. Be sure to check the nuts. If they are rough or do not tighten well, this must be corrected before installing the wheels. In the store you can find a special kit that restores threads. He will just help you.
Clean brake discs and drums from dirt and rust.
Check how the wheels fit on the hub. Even a slight deviation of the center of the disk from the center of the hub will result in tire runout. This can be felt by the vibration of the steering wheel, otherwise the tire mounting will be at risk.
Use a wax spray or other suitable product to treat the bolts against corrosion.
If no problems arise, proceed to installing the wheel. Install the bolts and tighten them slightly. Lower the car, remove the jack and tighten the nuts completely.
Now it’s time for the post-installation check. Make sure the outer edge of the disc and the inner side of the rim are not touching. To do this, just run your hand over each wheel. Also be sure to check your tire pressure.

Proper tire installation guarantees the safety and reliability of your vehicle. And even if you don’t do this yourself, it would be a good idea to arm yourself with certain knowledge in order to be able to control the process. After all, even service professionals, due to their ignorance or simple laziness, do not always do their work efficiently.