Is the Michelin PS 2s a directional, or a non directional tire?


Thanks in advance.


R. Eddie Presley

 

Directional

 

I'm thinking they're asymmetric, not directional, like the Dunlop Runflats...

 

Actually, they have a specific outside shoulder and an inside shoulder. They're directional

 

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Thanks Rudy

That was what I was told by the manager at Kaufmann tires here in Atlanta today, and I just wanted to hear it from BMW owners here at the e60 forum I trust, i.e. members like you!

The Kaufmann tire store manager claims he will rotate them side-to-side, (and not having to dis-mount and re-mounting the tire on the opposite side rim), for longer tread life, but I don't know about that, I am from the old school and I was always taught it is not good to change the direction of the way the radial belt is running...but with all the advancements in Michelin tires, since the late 1980's on my 14 ALS E 350 Van Ambulances and with 16.5 tires, I suppose anything is possible...like anyone else I want the most bang for my buck, without reducing quality!


Sincerely,

R. Eddie Presley

 

Directional tires have a specific rotation but don't have a designated outside or inside.

An asymmetric tire has a designated outside and inside but when mounted on the left side of the car, the rotational direction would be opposite of the tires that are mounted on the right side of the car (like the Dunlop runflats.)

A tire that is both directional and asymmetric will have both outside and rotational markings on the sidewall...

 

Eddie,

I agree with the "old school" theory that you shouldn't alter the rotational direction of a radial tire once it's been established on a car. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to rotate side to side without remounting them and, as we've established, if the tire is asymmetrical, you wouldn't be able to rotate them that way anyway.

I'm also not sure I'd trust the opinion of one tire store manager. You should probably get a second (or third) opinion from other higher-end tire stores just to be sure...