BMW 1 Series

This is possibly a dumb question, but are there two different tread patterns - one for each side of a car? I realise most tyres indicate which is the inside and outside of them. I'm not sure if there's such a thing as me having two left rear tyres.

Yes, but it does depend on the tyre. Some have different tread patterns giving different parts of the tyre different characteristics. An "all season" for instance will have summer and winter characteristics.

However, the most important issue for the "inside / outside" factor is the rotational direction.

Tyres are made to roll in a particular direction to reduce friction, make the tread pattern efficient at dispersing water, reduce noise etc etc

Not aware of anyone having made a different tyre to cope with the side of the vehicle it's on. Unless we are talking F1 of course where fitting harder compound on one side is common to cope with the differential forces at play on the outside of the circuit.

symmetric - Left and right are the same tire
asymmetric - Left and right tires are side specific

directional - arrow on the sidewall indicates direction of forward travel
non-directional - tires don't have a preferred rolling direction

"this side out" - mount this side towards the outside of the car.

Most tyres are not directional AND side specific... Although one or two might exist which are very rare and ive never seen them.

Thanks for that. Clears quite a bit up.

It's ContiSport 2 tyres I have and although they asymmetric, they don't appear to be directional. Can anyone confirm?


Last question...

Whilst all being the same make and model of tyre, one has a slightly different speed and load rating. Am I correct in assuming this shouldn't affect me so long as I don't carry an elephant on my roof and travel at supersonic speeds?

No, all tyres should be the same speed/load rating at least across an axle... and if you have one that's different then you aren't sticking to that. Make sure you have the correct speed load rating for all your tyres... it is not really worth trying to save a few pounds when it comes to tyres.

Your insurance company may not be very happy if you have a tyre of the incorrect speed/load rating and you are involved in an accident...