I just checked the tire air pressure on my car. To my surprise I
noticed that both tires on the rightside/passenger's side are showing
"Mount This Side In" !
What is the potential danger caused by having the rubber mounted
incorrectly on the wheel rims?
I think that there is a greater probability of skidding/hydroplanning
during rainy weather and that traction is not what it should be; e.g.,
greater braking distance.
Am I correct ?
The set of tires that are presently on my car were purchased 2 or 3
years ago from a TOYOTA Dealership. I have not changed the mounting
of any of the tires since they were first installed by the dealership,
but cannot prove that.
To make things more complicated, the dealership recently was bought
and changed its name.
Is there any basis for litigation for getting reimbursement for the
expense for correcting those tire's position on the wheel rims ?
What would the book rate be for remounting each tire on the wheel rim?
Labor plus Parts ?
Jeff - 18 Jun 2007 00:18 GMT
> I just checked the tire air pressure on my car. To my surprise I
> noticed that both tires on the rightside/passenger's side are showing
> "Mount This Side In" !
>
> What is the potential danger caused by having the rubber mounted
> incorrectly on the wheel rims?
The tires rotate in opposite directions, so that on one side they are
rotating clockwise and on the other counterclockwise.
I really doubt that there is any damage done or much danger.
> I think that there is a greater probability of skidding/hydroplanning
> during rainy weather and that traction is not what it should be; e.g.,
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> of any of the tires since they were first installed by the dealership,
> but cannot prove that.
Perhaps some tech dismounted the tires at some point in time and
remounted them. I can't figure out why.
> To make things more complicated, the dealership recently was bought
> and changed its name.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> What would the book rate be for remounting each tire on the wheel rim?
> Labor plus Parts ?
New dealership? One that wants your business? I would go and talk to the
service manager and explain the problem. I would just ask to have the
tires mounted properly. I would think that the service manager would
agree to remount the tires for free.
I would guess that it would be like $10 per tire to get the tires remounted.
Jeff
Jack G - 18 Jun 2007 00:55 GMT
Be aware: If you reverse the tires on the rims you will also reverse the
direction of rotation of those tires - something that is not advised on
radial ply tires after they have a few hundred miles on them (that is why
when rotating tires you only do front to back and back to front on the same
side). Best to talk to a tire specialist and provide them with how many
miles the tires have on them. You may be OK - but you may also be exposing
yourself to early tire failure... Your dealer should cover any corrective
action - but nothing will force them to. Also, the direction for mounting
"This side in" is due to an asymmetrical tread pattern - probably with more
rubber contact on the outside of the tire since that gets the heaviest load
in cornering. Some tires are also unidirectional - they are made to rotate
in only one direction and actually come in left and right side versions.
Jack G.
>> I just checked the tire air pressure on my car. To my surprise I
>> noticed that both tires on the rightside/passenger's side are showing
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> Jeff
Hachiroku ハチロク - 18 Jun 2007 01:34 GMT
> Be aware: If you reverse the tires on the rims you will also reverse the
> direction of rotation of those tires - something that is not advised on
> radial ply tires after they have a few hundred miles on them (that is why
> when rotating tires you only do front to back and back to front on the
> same side).
Actually, this is no longer true. Newer radials are rotated the same as
the old Bias Ply tires were.
Jack G - 18 Jun 2007 04:35 GMT
Hach - True to a point - that being that tires are rotated frequently -
every 3,00 to 5,000 miles. Tires rotated less frequently should still be
kept on the same side. Also - there is a different recommended rotation
pattern for front wheel drive, all wheel drive, and rear wheel drive cars -
and with and without a standard size spare. The original poster purchased
the tires 2 or 3 years ago and is just noticing that the tires are mounted
incorrectly. I assume he has not had the tires rotated in that time and
stand by my statement that he could be risking premature tire failure (tread
separation) if he reverses the rotational direction of the tires.
Jack G.
>> Be aware: If you reverse the tires on the rims you will also reverse the
>> direction of rotation of those tires - something that is not advised on
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Actually, this is no longer true. Newer radials are rotated the same as
> the old Bias Ply tires were.
Mike Dobony - 19 Jun 2007 04:57 GMT
> Hach - True to a point - that being that tires are rotated frequently -
> every 3,00 to 5,000 miles.
There is a big difference between " a few hundred miles" and 3,000 to 5,000
miles.
Tires rotated less frequently should still be
> kept on the same side. Also - there is a different recommended rotation
> pattern for front wheel drive, all wheel drive, and rear wheel drive
> cars - and with and without a standard size spare.
Tire manufacturers do not have different rotation recommendations for front
wheel, all wheel, and rear wheel drive cars. The only difference is whether
or not to include the spare, which only trucks AFAIK have full sizes spares.
The original poster purchased
> the tires 2 or 3 years ago and is just noticing that the tires are mounted
> incorrectly. I assume he has not had the tires rotated in that time and
> stand by my statement that he could be risking premature tire failure
> (tread separation) if he reverses the rotational direction of the tires.
Why do you assume that? Are you a prophet? If so, you are not very good as
you do reject tire manufacturer new rotation recommendations.
> Jack G.
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>> Actually, this is no longer true. Newer radials are rotated the same as
>> the old Bias Ply tires were.
Don Fearn - 20 Jun 2007 01:36 GMT
"Mike Dobony" <sword@notasarian-host.net> opin'd thus:
>Tire manufacturers do not have different rotation recommendations for front
>wheel, all wheel, and rear wheel drive cars.
True.
>The only difference is whether
>or not to include the spare, which only trucks AFAIK have full sizes spares.
My '05 Camry SE came with a full-sized spare, mounted on the same kind
of color-matched wheel as the ones on the car. I rotate all five in an
X-plus-spare pattern so that each tire will be on each wheel about the
same amount of time, assuring the they will all wear nearly
identically. (I rotate mine every 5k miles; a task I do 'cause I enjoy
it and 'cause it's one of the few things I can still do on a modern
car ;^)
The only other reason for a different rotation recommendation I can
think of is if the tires are directional . . . .

Signature
A fine is a tax for doing wrong -- a tax is a fine for doing well
Jack G - 20 Jun 2007 02:22 GMT
See these tire manufacturers sites for information on DIFFERENT Tire
Rotation Patterns depending on the drive wheel configuration of the vehicle:
http://www.michelinman.com/care/tip2.html
http://www.aa1car.com/library/tire_rotation_bridgestone.pdf
http://www.goodyeartires.com/faqs/Rotation.html
Also:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=43
Let me know if you need more references for tire rotation patterns - there
are dozens of them out there...
Jack G.
> "Mike Dobony" <sword@notasarian-host.net> opin'd thus:
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> The only other reason for a different rotation recommendation I can
> think of is if the tires are directional . . . .
Hachiroku ハチロク - 18 Jun 2007 01:42 GMT
> To make things more complicated, the dealership recently was bought and
> changed its name.
>
> Is there any basis for litigation for getting reimbursement for the
> expense for correcting those tire's position on the wheel rims ?
Why the *HELL* are you talking litigation?!?!?!
Why are people so friggin *SUE HAPPY* in this country?!?!
Here, you want to hear a case? My stepfather had a 1982 Toyota pickup.
They had a defective elbow in the heater core inside the truck. It let go
on a 100 degree day. Imagine 100+ antifreeze POURING onto your leg on a
100 degree day, in heavy highway traffic, and having to maintain vehicle
speed in order to not get rear ended.
Now imagine second and third degree burns on your right leg.
And, since he never received the recall notice he didn't know it was bad.
After I found out years later, I suggested he contact Toyota.
Since his medical bills were all covered by his health care, he said,
Screw it.
And then went out and bought a Camry.
He probably could have made $250,000 on one PHONE CALL and didn't, and
you're talking about litigation because your tires are on wrong??!?!?!
Here's some advice. Take the car back to the dealer. Show them the error.
Let them put the tires on properly. Drive at slightly lower speeds for the
first 100-200 miles while the tires get used to their new positions.
</rant>
Ray O - 18 Jun 2007 14:54 GMT
> I just checked the tire air pressure on my car. To my surprise I
> noticed that both tires on the rightside/passenger's side are showing
> "Mount This Side In" !
>
> What is the potential danger caused by having the rubber mounted
> incorrectly on the wheel rims?
Some tires are have directional travel to improve traction. Besides the
"Mount this side in" warning, there would also be arrows to show rotation
direction. I doubt if it is actually dangerous.
> I think that there is a greater probability of skidding/hydroplanning
> during rainy weather and that traction is not what it should be; e.g.,
> greater braking distance.
>
> Am I correct ?
See above.
> The set of tires that are presently on my car were purchased 2 or 3
> years ago from a TOYOTA Dealership. I have not changed the mounting
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Is there any basis for litigation for getting reimbursement for the
> expense for correcting those tire's position on the wheel rims ?
I think you are better off asking politely to have them corrected than
suing.
> What would the book rate be for remounting each tire on the wheel rim?
> Labor plus Parts ?
Book rate is probably .5 to R&R a tire, plus .3 for balance, plus weights as
needed.

Signature
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Jeff Strickland - 18 Jun 2007 16:49 GMT
I was going to offer my two cents, but then I noticed you want to sue.
> I just checked the tire air pressure on my car. To my surprise I
> noticed that both tires on the rightside/passenger's side are showing
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> What would the book rate be for remounting each tire on the wheel rim?
> Labor plus Parts ?
Scott in Florida - 18 Jun 2007 17:41 GMT
>I was going to offer my two cents, but then I noticed you want to sue.
LOL...are you becoming a weak kneed liberal?????

Signature
Scott in Florida
There ought to be one day-- just one--
when there is open season on senators.
Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
Jeff Strickland - 19 Jun 2007 01:01 GMT
>>I was going to offer my two cents, but then I noticed you want to sue.
>
> LOL...are you becoming a weak kneed liberal?????
No. I'm becoming a landlord. I have enough liability that I don't need to
tell this guy that his tires are not going to make his car fall off the
road.
Scott in Florida - 19 Jun 2007 01:07 GMT
>>>I was going to offer my two cents, but then I noticed you want to sue.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>tell this guy that his tires are not going to make his car fall off the
>road.
LOL....ok.
Good luck!

Signature
Scott in Florida
There ought to be one day-- just one--
when there is open season on senators.
Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
nm5k@wt.net - 19 Jun 2007 01:25 GMT
> I just checked the tire air pressure on my car. To my surprise I
> noticed that both tires on the rightside/passenger's side are showing
> "Mount This Side In" !
>
> What is the potential danger caused by having the rubber mounted
> incorrectly on the wheel rims?
Almost none.
> I think that there is a greater probability of skidding/hydroplanning
> during rainy weather and that traction is not what it should be; e.g.,
> greater braking distance.
>
> Am I correct ?
I doubt it, unless there is some specific tread pattern that requires
only one direction..
> The set of tires that are presently on my car were purchased 2 or 3
> years ago from a TOYOTA Dealership. I have not changed the mounting
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> What would the book rate be for remounting each tire on the wheel rim?
> Labor plus Parts ?
I don't think there is any problem, as long as you don't switch them.
I think the placard is mainly just for a reference being many tires
are
all blackwall now. That way you don't get mixed up. I would not
change them!!! I don't think you are generally supposed to reverse
the
rotation on radials. So changing them could quite possibly cause
trouble. I don't think there is any safety or wear issue.. It's just
so people can keep track of which side is which.
It it was mine, I would leave them as is, and not worry about it.
Should be no problem. Litigation? Are you serious? :/
Good grief...
I bet you would have never noticed a problem at all until you
read that placard... After all, it's already been 2-3 years.
MK
Jeff Strickland - 19 Jun 2007 02:13 GMT
>> I just checked the tire air pressure on my car. To my surprise I
>> noticed that both tires on the rightside/passenger's side are showing
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> I doubt it, unless there is some specific tread pattern that requires
> only one direction..
There IS a specific tread pattern, that's why the tires are marked OTHER
SIDE OUT, or whatever.
nm5k@wt.net - 19 Jun 2007 09:10 GMT
> <n...@wt.net> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> There IS a specific tread pattern, that's why the tires are marked OTHER
> SIDE OUT, or whatever.
Maybe, but I don't think any difference in performance would amount
to a hill of beans.. For one thing, you have the two on the front
rotating
in opposite directions, even mounted normally. I just went out and
looked
at mine. The sidewall treads are the same on either side.. So thats
not going to be effected. The two rows of inner treads are at a slant,
but if you reverse the tire, they just lead from the other side
of center..
I'd be surprised if you could notice it on the road.
And like I say, each of the front/rear pairs rotate in opposite
directions. They go counterclockwise on the left, clockwise on
the right.. So it's not like that can't go in the other direction
as far as the belt, or whatever.
If it were me, I'd leave em like they are. I'd feel more comfortable
with that, than changing them after 2-3 years. That could lead
to belt, etc problems..
In the whitewall tire days, flipping them when new was real
common.. Some people wanted blackwalls..
MK