Defender tyres v Disco tyres

[vnx205]

Some time ago I followed, more with a sense of amusement than any real interest or even curiosity, a thread about the apparently important decision that some people have to make about whether the white lettering on the tyres should be on the inside or the outside.

A couple of years ago I fitted 4 Maxxis ATs to the Defender and noticed that neither side had white lettering.

Since then I have noticed quite a few Discos and other brands of 4WDs with the same brand of tyres and other brands with white lettering, but have yet to see a Defender with white lettering.

Does that mean that:

• Tyre manufacturers know that Defender drivers realise that white lettering on a 4WD tyre is a bit of waste of time, so they don't make Defender size tyres with white lettering.

• Drivers of Discos and other lesser 4WDs go out of their way to find tyres with white lettering.

• Drivers of Discos and other lesser 4WDs think white lettering is so important that they put the white paint on their tyres themselves.

Or is there some other explanation?

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

I'd be quite happy if all the tyres I bought previously came without white lettering as I turn them inside anyway.
Funny actually as I was sitting in traffic noticing all the Prados with shiny alloy bars, racks, antennas and other accessories with their BF Goodrich tyres with white writing hanging out an not a spot of dirt or sign to say it's ever been further off road than the street verge.
Besides, writing on the outside only spoils the aerodynamics of the vehicle......

Cheers

Andrew

[BigJon]

Personally I always put the white writing out if it is possible, provided that I have four matched tyres. I like the way it looks, although I can see it is not to everyones taste.

I have done this to my RRC, but I also had white writing on the tyres fitted to my two Kingswood utes, my Brumby and my P76...

[land864]

Writing facing in

I had some tyres fitted the other year and the fitter looked at me and said.

" You don't look like a letters out kinda guy to me "

[PhilipA]

Ditto
This is THE MOST Earthshattering Thread.

You can tell on the tyre makers websites which are RWL (Raised white letters) or not. Sometimes there are two versions but most likely in "recreation" sizes than "commercial" eg 265.70.16 vs 235.85x16.

Regards Philip A

[bcj]

what's the point? Does it improve (a)traction? Something else I'd have to clean (or not)

Brett
110 300tdi

[rick130]

Writing facing in

I had some tyres fitted the other year and the fitter looked at me and said.

" You don't look like a letters out kinda guy to me "

I used to get my tyres swapped side to side but going the same direction (changed on the rims) so I had RWL in and out, depending on the life point of the tyre.

The current ones don't have RWL so it doesn't matter anyway.

[abaddonxi]

what's the point? Does it improve (a)traction? Something else I'd have to clean (or not)

Brett
110 300tdi

Quite the opposite.

White attracts dirt - just try wearing a white T-shirt while doing an oil change.

The extra whiteness on tyres attracts mud, the sipes clog faster and traction is reduced.

Inside, outside, doesn't matter.

[V8Ian]

Quite the opposite.

White attracts dirt - just try wearing a white T-shirt while doing an oil change.

The extra whiteness on tyres attracts mud, the sipes clog faster and traction is reduced.

Inside, outside, doesn't matter.

Do you mind if I forward this to Mythbusters, Simon?

[big guy]

On directional tyres I can understand.\Personally, I never put the writing on the outside.
Looks too much like "Look at me".
Personnel thing I guess.