Significance of Tread Pattern and Tread Depth in Tyres Ponteland

Tyres leave unique impressions on sand or mud. These impressions are different tread patterns. Tyres come with different tread designs because of differences in driving goals. For example, tyres for the summer and winter seasons have two totally different tread patterns.

The presence of a certain tread pattern changes the behaviour of the car Dunlop Tyres in Ponteland completely in certain weather or road conditions. Moreover, a suitable tread pattern performs the function of providing proper stability to the car tyre on different road surfaces. A tread pattern may influence factors like fuel efficiency, road noise, and handling.

What is a Tyre Tread Exactly?

You can easily recognize the tread pattern since only this part directly touches the road surface. Racing tyres are available in the market with a wider tread to enhance grip and traction on the racing track. Racing tyres get superior grip since a large area of tread rubber touches the road surface.

These slick tyres are not useful for normal road conditions. A plain surface would not be able to scatter water on a wet road. Therefore, racing tyres would be extremely risky on wet roads.

Normal passenger tyres come with a grooved tread pattern. This design of tread is helpful in displacing water on a wet road. Grooves on the tyre also help to move with optimum flexibility on bumpy roads.

A Common Tyre Tread Pattern May Have the Following Parts:

Rib:

The rib is a rubber segment that runs along the round surface of the tread part. The rib is a vital part of the tread pattern to reduce road noise. The central rib provides optimum grip and traction when you accelerate or stop your vehicle. The shoulder rib is important to provide traction when you turn the car.

Blocks:

You can see raised tread blocks on the circumference of your tyre. They may have varied shapes and sizes to provide proper grip on the road. Another name for blocks is lugs.

Sipes:

Sipes are smaller blocks to enhance the wet grip of the tyre. These parts cut across the blocks to scatter extra water to prevent hydroplaning.

Grooves:

Grooves run laterally and circumferentially over the surface of your car tyres. Grooves handle water that accumulates underneath the car tyres.

These parts of the tread make a complete tread design to meet several driving goals.

Generally, we see three main types of tread patterns: symmetric, Asymmetric and Directional.

Symmetric Tread Pattern:

You can see this simple pattern in most vehicles. In this tread design, you may observe the same design on the outside and inside of the car tyre. These tyres have no directional limitation. You can use any tyre to roll in any direction. These tyres provide optimum grip on dry roads. However, experts do not recommend these tyres on wet roads due to their simple tread design.

Asymmetrical Tread Pattern:

As the name indicates, these tyres come with two different patterns on the inner and outer surfaces. The outer tread is available with larger blocks to enhance dry grip. The inner side of this tread design provides better grip and traction on wet roads. This design has smaller blocks to prevent hydroplaning.

Directional Tread Pattern:

You will see an arrow–shaped pattern in this tread design. Since this is a directional tread pattern, you have to use these tyres in a single direction. It means the tyres for the left side will always be on the left side.

Mixing the Tread Pattern

You need four identical tyres with the same tread pattern. Mixing the tread pattern is not a bad practice. It is better if you do not mix design, features and even brand while you buy new tyres. When you are going to change your tyres, visiting the nearest shop for proper advice is a good idea.

Tyres tread is an important part of influencing handling, cornering, acceleration, road noise and other crucial aspects of safe driving. Therefore, mixing the tread pattern can be highly risky.

The Legal Limit of Tread Depth

While we talk about the tread pattern, we have to consider the tread depth as well.

Tyres generally come with a certain tread depth. Tyre manufacturers design the tread depth to meet varied driving goals. A tread pattern should not be too deep or too shallow to meet the driver’s requirements.

Manufacturers determine the tread depth for a category of tyres on the basis of driving conditions and driving goals.

You only need to maintain the tread depth for a long time. Low tread depth is a bad sign for the health and handling features of the car tyre.

The minimum limit for tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm. It clearly means that have to replace your tyres if they reach below this limit.

Treadwear is a common issue that tyres face during their lifespan. Factors like heat, friction, weather and road conditions are responsible for reducing the tread depth in tyres.

You can reduce the rate of tread wear by ensuring proper maintenance.

Moreover, you have to change your car Tyres in Ponteland when you observe a smooth surface on their entire circumference. Driving on bald tyres is not a good approach.

Must Read: Signs to Replace Your Tyres in Milton Keynes