Understanding Tyre Tread Patterns

The tread pattern of a car tyre is a unique design that has been developed and constructed to help deliver a good grip and handling performance.

They are often designed in particular ways to meet the needs of specific driving conditions - such as dry handling, wet braking, and even traction on snow and ice.

But how do the different tread pattern categories that are used by manufacturers affect driving conditions?

The Different Tread Patterns

Tread pattern plays a vital role in the performance of a tyre and vast sums of money are spent by tyre manufacturers in researching and designing new tread patterns.

There are 3 main types of tread pattern that are most used in the design of tyres:

• Symmetrical
• Asymmetrical
• Directional

What is Symmetrical Tyre Tread?

The name's a bit of a giveaway as to what you can expect, appearance-wise. They have a consistent pattern on either side of the tyre. Generally, they are designed with small to medium-sized cars in mind. They are the most common type of tread pattern.

This design tends to provide a car with a reduced rolling resistance - good for fuel economy.

What is Asymmetrical Tyre Tread?

Asymmetrical tyres are designed in such a way to give the benefit of two separate tyres in one.

They do this by having differing tread patterns on the inner and outer side of the tyre.

The inner side of an asymmetrical tyre often have greater quantities of grooves to improve the grip when driving on wet surfaces.

On the other side of the tyre – the outer edge – the grooves are less in number making them ideal for corners and dry roads.

What makes these stand out from directional tyres is the fact that they can be used anywhere on the vehicle.

There is no set way in which they have to roll for the driver to get the full benefit.

That is not to say, however, there isn’t a correct way to mount asymmetric tyres. They can still be fitted wrong – which could cause dangerous effects to the driving experience.

An example of an asymmetrical tread pattern can be found on the Michelin Primacy 4:

What is Directional Tyre Tread?

Directional Tyres are designed with a tread depth that remains the same all over the tyre. This means that to get the best out of a tyre, it must run in a certain direction. These tyres are more traditional and were the favourite type of design in the past.

Because the tyre is designed to only roll in one direction it means that they have to be put on a specific side of a vehicle.

To put a directional tyre on the wrong side of the vehicle – in essence putting it on backwards – greatly decreases the performance, making it dangerous to drive on.

This lack of options in terms of fitting can often be seen as a disadvantage. However, because of the specifics that a Directional Tyre are designed to, they offer maximum performance for whatever conditions they were produced.

For example, the handling capabilities of a vehicle on wet surfaces, which they are heavily focused to dealing with.

An example of a directional tread pattern can be found on the Michelin CrossClimate 2:

Choosing new tyres

Buying new tyres needn’t be stressful or confusing. Once you know what to look for, it is a fairly straightforward and simple process.

Do Your Research

Researching which tyres you are going to buy can be as easy, to begin with, as going out to the car and checking what is currently fitted. This information will be found on the side of the tyre along with the tyre size.

If you are happy with the tyres and wish to buy the same set again, there is nothing at this stage from stopping you do just that.

However, if you are interested in improving your drive – be it with tyres that offer more comfort, less noise, better braking in wet conditions, or offer more fuel economy – a good place to start is with the tyres you have.

By doing a quick search online with the tyre model name, you can find out certain things about the tyre, such as the tread pattern.

Tread pattern plays a vital role in the performance of a tyre and vast sums of money are spent by tyre manufacturers in researching and designing new tread patterns.