Directional tires are a type of tire with a tread pattern designed to rotate in only one direction. The tread pattern on directional tires is distinct and differs from other tread patterns in that it is designed to channel water away from the center of the tire and outwards, which provides excellent wet traction and helps avoid hydroplaning. Directional tires are primarily engineered for high-performance vehicles and are better for performance cars and traveling at high speeds than tires with symmetrical or asymmetrical tread patterns. The V-shaped tread pattern on directional tires allows water to be channeled away efficiently for excellent hydroplaning resistance and delivers sporty performance on dry surfaces. When you have directional tires, there’s an arrow on the sidewall of the tires, and when correctly mounted, the arrow points toward the front of the vehicle. If directional tires get mounted backward, you won’t get the hydroplaning resistance and other performance driving benefits the tread is designed for. Directional tires cannot be rotated like symmetrical or asymmetrical tires, and they must be kept on the same side of the vehicle and not rotated to the other side. If you want to cross tires to opposite sides, you’ll have to go through the time and expense of having the tires taken off the wheels, flipped, remounted on the wheels, and swapped.