wishbone

So I'm trying to figure out WHY audi would put a directional tire on the spare rim? Maybe I'm missing something, but would it be considered safe to use a directional tire in the opposite direction for which it was intended?

Bucket

It's fine except in the rain.

Zed 2.0

I wouldn't want to throw a directional tire that's on backwards hard around a corner.. you'd probably lose all your traction on that wheel. Plus, it may make for generally uneven and quirky driving.

wishbone

Hmm.. Bad move on Audi's part then.. what kind of "spare" is that?

bugbbq

it's one that you only use when you need a "spare"

wishbone

Yeah great.. As long as I can manage to only blow out on one side! =P

Dead

You'll be fine.

wishbone

But I guess my point is, that if audi is going to go to the trouble of giving me a full rim spare, they could at least make it a functional full time tire that could actually be used to replace all four instead of just two of the current wheels. *shrug* call me crazy I guess..

Bucket

I disagree. The tread pattern is only useful for water. That's why people race on slicks.

boki-san

firstly, the idea is that you ideally want all four corners carrying the exact same tyre. audi typically chooses performance tyres that are "directional." this "directionality" with regards to how a performance tread grips, is minimal. the main reason these tyres are labeled with a rotating direction, is that after many miles of use, the belts and guts of the tyre take a "set", due to acceleration and braking forces. to change the rotating direction after they've taken a "set", would oppose the current "set", and could cause de-lamination, and possibly catastrophic failure. but to use an unused tyre against it's rotating direction would be totally safe and grip-wise, virtually unnoticeable. i am not a tyre expert, i can't even spell it correctly. tyre experts, correct me if i'm wrong.