"However, one of the drawbacks of a directional tread design is that it limits the options in the ways that the tires may be rotated. Since directional tires must always roll in one direction to maximize their hydroplaning resistance and wet traction capabilities, without remounting them on their wheels they can only be rotated from front-to-rear on one side of the car. Without rigid adherence to maintaining correct inflation pressures, tire rotation and vehicle alignment, this limitation can lead directional tires, including the AVS dB S2, to experience irregular "heel and toe" wear which causes the tread blocks to wear unevenly. Heel and toe wear will increase the noise level as the miles add up. This condition is typically experienced on vehicles equipped with independent rear suspensions whose alignment setting specifications call for negative camber, such as BMW, Lexus and Mercedes, etc. In the case of the AVS dB S2, tie-bars (small rubber links) have been engineered into the lateral tread grooves to connect the outer shoulder blocks circumferentially. These tie-bars further stabilize the outer tread blocks, and in combination with the continuous circumferential rib in the center of the tread design, help reduce the possibility of heel/toe and alternate block wear."
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...5DBS2
They finally admitted that their design was at fault and came out with S2 as a partial fix.
Tire heel toe wear
-
greg_atlanta
- Posts: 1111
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 4:37 pm
- Car: 2008 G35 Journey Sedan, silver/black (no sunroof), 1992 Q45 (in a past life)
I was originally planning to get the DBs, but was told by a salesman at Americas (Discount) Tire that they had several complaints about tread noise after they had some miles on them. I read similar comments on the Tire Rack website, and elected to get AVS ES100s instead, which are extremely quiet (so far after about 700 miles). Bridgestone RE730s apparently had the same issue and have been redesigned.
-
Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
It's the demounting and flipping on rims that 98% of the directional treaded tire owners DON'T do every 3-6k that is the problem!
And like Yokohoma says if the outer tread blocks are not reinforced and squirm the heel and toe wear will begin.
PS if you tie the outer blocks together it blocks the water out flow so what is the advantage in directional tires?
As the tires wear the tread down by half or more the blocks become more stable but by then the heel toe is very severe............you could true the tire by grinding off more tread but then you'd have no tread depth.
And like Yokohoma says if the outer tread blocks are not reinforced and squirm the heel and toe wear will begin.
PS if you tie the outer blocks together it blocks the water out flow so what is the advantage in directional tires?
As the tires wear the tread down by half or more the blocks become more stable but by then the heel toe is very severe............you could true the tire by grinding off more tread but then you'd have no tread depth.