This design of tyre can be fitted in any way to a wheel rim and to the car. The style used to be standard on most new models, but now fewer designs are available, and these are rarely able to match the performance of the more sophisticated patterns.

Has to be fitted so marked rotation matches forward travel. (Tyres for the left are mounted the other way round to those on right.) Also known as ‘arrow’ tread, it is strong in wet. But car makers prefer rubber which can be fitted on both sides of vehicle.

When correctly fitted to rims, these work on any side of a vehicle. They’re popular among tyre and car makers, as tread sections can be tuned for different tasks, not only with patterns but even with compounds – as with the latest Michelins for the BMW M3.