MICHELIN TechNews #07

1. A better way forward
2014 - N°07
directional tread designs
TECHNEWS

2. Tyres can feature directional tread designs for a number of reasons. Historically tyres were made directional
for traction or increased resistance to heel-toe type wear in a block design, but today there are other reasons
to make a tread sculpture directional. For example: better noise and comfort characteristics, increased removal
mileage and resistance to irregular wear caused by the higher torque and braking retarders in today’s vehicles.
■■ Respect the directional arrow marked on the shoulder when mounting new tyres.
■■ There are no legal requirements in the EU that state that a directional tyre must be operated in the sense
marked on the tyre. However many publications recommend to respect the sense of directionality.
■■ Tyres marked with a double arrow for directionality may be rotated to optimise tyre management
or at half life to facilitate rotation for differing wear rates across/between axles.
■■ When rotating tyres, it is best to align all direction of rotation arrows in the same sense
across the axle. Remember that tyres on the same axle should be compatible.
A better way forwardA better way forwardA better way forwardA better way forward
Some Examples of Directional Tread Features
Michelin Bi-Directional Arrow Marked Tyres
Michelin advice
■■ The arrow with the larger head indicates the Michelin preferred direction of rotation for the tyre, optimising tread
wear performance. We strongly recommend that, especially when new, Michelin tyres marked with a bi-directional
arrow should be run in the direction of rotation indicated by the larger arrow head.
■■ However, it may be turned on the rim and run in the direction of the smaller arrow head with no detriment to other
performance criteria when necessary and particularly after the first half life to manage wear rates across or between
axles. In cases such as this, Michelin recommends that all tyres on the same axle should be turned on the rim such
that all arrows face in the same direction when possible.
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Traditional directional sculpture. Rule of thumb: when
viewed from the front, the tread should be ‘smiling’.
Example of a tread design with directional
type siping.
The blue arrows indicate the proper direction of ROTATION to optimise performances
Example of tread blocks that have a sloped pitch
to enhance resistance to irregular wear.
Locations of Bi-Directional arrows
marked on the tyre’s shoulder.
Preferred Direction
of Rotation
Secondary Direction
After ½ Life