Changes in Tread Pattern? Dunlop SP Sport 9000 vs SP Sport 01
 

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the changes to the tread pattern on the Stock Dunlop RF's?


My wife has the stock 17" Dunlop runflats (205/45/17 Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSST)on her 2006 MCS. I have been rotating these every 4K and have noticed the tread on these tires is directional. (Like the tires in the Picture below).

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8&d=1181341324

I have recently purchased a set of stock wheels and RF Take-off's from a 2007 MCS to replace her RF's. The near new stock tires are 205/45/17 Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST (Like the one pictured below). These (newer?) model of RF's seem to be what is delivered on all the '07 MCS's I saw at my local dealership.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...2/CIMG0404.JPG


From what I can tell, the tread on these tires does not appear to be directional..there just appears to be an Inside and Outside sidewall? Can anyone tell me if this is correct?

These tires are already mounted on rims and I just need to put them on the car, but I am not able to tell Right from Left...does anyone know if it matters for these newer model Dunlop tires?


I am fully aware of the benefits that most people feel can be gained from switching to non-RF's and have read many threads on the subject. However, the bottom line is this is my wife's car and I don't want to risk her getting stuck with a Flat or having to change a tire in the middle of nowhere. So I have opted to stick with the Rf's (no flames please :) )

I am hoping someone with some in depth knowledge of Dunlop RF's can help me out?

Thanks for the help!

directional tires will have an arrow pointing the rotation direction
on the sidewall.

inside/outside tires show 'OUTSIDE' or 'INSIDE' on the sidewall.
like my new 050A Pole Positions, they are mount directional.

This is correct.

Bottomline. Just make sure the outside part of the tire is facing the right direction on all tires and you will be OK.

This runflat will be OK but don't expect great performance, tirerack's reviews show that it's beat by the competition.

The tread is different to allow for some performance without being directional, good for dry or wet. It's an asymmetrical tread design.
Of course this is by theory from the tire designers point of view.:lol:

Thanks!!! So since the tread is not directional...does this mean I can rotate them in an "X" pattern? Or should I keep rotating Front to Rear as I did with the directional tread RF's??

Understood, but in this case my wife's safety has to trump perfomance. If the Mini was my daily driver...this would be a different story as I would ditch the RF's for better tires.