Effect of unidirectional tyres on backwards :( ?

[AndrewW]

Hi,

Finally got some time to pay some attention to my two month old VYII SS yesterday, and as I was applying the tyre black I noticed that two of the tyres (front drivers and rear passengers) are on backwards !!! i.e the rotation indicators are pointing the wrong way :eek:

The car has done 5,500 klms, and before I ring the dealer I was wondering if anyone has any idea how much damage would have been done to the tyres and if I should be pushing for a new set ?

I'm already pissed about the safety aspect, why do we pay $1200 for a pre-delivery inspection when they can't even notice something like this, and I've been taking my 8 month pregnant wife to all our antenatal visits in this car because it's the 'safer' of our two cars :mad:

Anyhow, any advice appreciated before I ring the dealer who I am sure is going to simply suggest swapping the wheels over.

Andrew.

[v8 ute]

Amazing you didn't have an accident :eek:

How confused would those two tyres have been thinking they were going in reverse this whole time :confused:

Seriously I doubt there would be any major problem maybe some slight feathering around the edges/slightly more wear.

It's still worth complaining to Holden about, you never know your luck.

[CV8-S1]

i don't think that there would be too much difference in dry weather. Maybe wet weather could be a problem as water is channelled into the centre of the tyre. When you picked up the car, amongst all the paperwork, was there a pre-delivery check list? The dealer should have a copy - I would be asking for the tyres to be rotated and some sort of compensation for the dealer not doing their job properly.

[IIV8II]

Yeah, I'd sue them for pain and suffering. Should be an easy $100,000 for that. And I'm sure the rest of us will be happy to subsidise ...



How about you just get the dealer to swap them around for you? There are no long-term drawbacks, but I'd be a little concerned about driving in real wet conditions until they are changed to teh correct direction

[AndrewW]

jeez, did someone get out of the wrong side of bed this morning ? or did I miss the intended smilie ?

I'm not asking for money, I don't want a free service.

I was simply asking if anyone with more knowledge of tyre design/operation than me could help me out by letting me know if its likely that the tyres might have been damaged in any way.

thanks for the constructive advice :rolleyes:

Andrew.

[cheffy]

Mate I wouldn't get too worried. The Tires ave probably worn a little quicker than normal but nothing to worry about. It should be changed though because as mentioned it will make a difference int he wet. FYI we quite often run slicks in the reverse direction without any problems..

[raff]

Pretty slack effort by the pre inspection people but like the others have said the main concern is the handling, particularly in the wet. I recently had a puncture and my spare only ran the other direction to the tyre I needed to replace, I limped oh so carefully to the bridgestone tyre centre in case it would damge the tyre walls, scrub the tyre edge etc and the boys there said it wont hurt it at all, the only obvious thing is to be extra careful when driving in the wet. Had to keep it on there for a few days while they ordered new tyres.
That was only for a few days, a few months may have more detrimental effects?? Check for even wear and probably best to ring your local tyre dealer (whichever brand you have) and ask his possibly unbiased advice before ringing holden.

Cheers :)

[sloone]

If they are the same size wheel just swap them over, then they will both be going in the right direction.

[CV8-S1]

Yeah, I'd sue them for pain and suffering. Should be an easy $100,000 for that. And I'm sure the rest of us will be happy to subsidise ...


:) Without trying to cause a big issue, I just think it is a little frustrating that we pay for pre-delivery checks, and alot of the time when it comes to 1,500km inspection, we are pointing out things that should have been picked up before delivery.

[AndrewW]

thanks for the replies.

spoke to the dealer and i'm taking it in first thing tomorrow to have them swapped over.

to be honest, if I was swapping two wheels on the same side then I'd think about jacking it up myself and swapping them over, but with them being on opposite corners I can't see any way of doing it without some potential for dropping the car on its arse ... or knowing my luck, on me ;)

Andrew.

[Pooga]

jeez, did someone get out of the wrong side of bed this morning ? or did I miss the intended smilie ?

I'm not asking for money, I don't want a free service.

I was simply asking if anyone with more knowledge of tyre design/operation than me could help me out by letting me know if its likely that the tyres might have been damaged in any way.

thanks for the constructive advice :rolleyes:

Andrew.

It would have been quicker and easier to just ring a tyre place and ask them, then you would have a professional type opinion.

[AndrewW]

yep. thought about ringing a tyre place except its been my experience of late that if you're not spending money then people aren't generally interesting in taking the time to help you out ...

and seeing as how this place is full of people far more knowledgable than myself ;)