Functions and Importance of Tyre Tread and Tread Depth

Tread blocks are present in most passenger tyres to enhance the level of safety in both dry and both conditions. Tyres tread is very important to keep the tyre moving in the correct direction with proper stability.

Therefore, tyre tread is the main element of the performance of Continental Tyres Northampton.

Why is tread so important for car tyres?

You wear shoes with grooves to walk comfortably on the surface. Similarly, tread blocks are like grooved shoes for car tyres. Tyre tread provide excellent gripping power to car tyres in both favourable and unfavourable conditions.

While you accelerate your vehicle, it is tyre tread that makes it possible smoothly. Similarly, the role of tyre tread is vital when you try to turn or stop your vehicle.

You know it or not but tyre tread is essential for fuel economy as well. Bald tyres consume more fuel, especially on uneven road surfaces.

Parts of a tread pattern

Tyres have ribs that are raised parts of the tyre tread. Moreover, they have grooves that are deep channels that are spread laterally and circumferentially around the tyre. Additionally, tyres come with tread blocks that directly make contact with the road surface. sipes are smaller blocks that are very efficient to channel water and snow in snowy conditions.

Types of tread patterns

There are three common types of tyre tread: Symmetrical, directional and asymmetrical.

Symmetrical tire tread pattern:

This is the most common type of tread pattern and various models of passenger car tyres use it in daily driving conditions. Tyres with this pattern are not high-performance tyres.

You will see continuous ribs across the entire body of the tread. This tread is symmetrical. So, both sides of the tread will have the same pattern.

These tyres are efficient on dry roads but you should avoid using them in wet road conditions.

Directional tire tread pattern:

As the name suggests, tyres with directional tyres will roll forward in only one direction. They come with lateral grooves and these grooves meet in the middle of the tread to make the shape of the English letter “v”. these tyres are highly effective to save you from hydroplaning in wet road conditions.

These tyres provide better traction on mud and snow. Therefore, you will see this tread pattern in mostly winter or all-season tyres.

You have to remember that you cannot rotate the sides of these tyres when you rotate your tyres. it means tyres will go front to back or back to the front they would not change their sides.

Asymmetric tire tread pattern:

This pattern will have two separate designs on the inner and outer halves of the tyre. The inner side of the tyre will save you from hydroplaning because of its effective water-displacing ability. The outer side of this tread pattern will be effective to provide proper stability to tyres in dry conditions.

Importance of proper tread depth

Your tyres pattern comes with a certain tread depth. Proper tread depth is a vital element of the tyre tread.

Tyres keep your vehicle stable on varied road surface only because of proper tread depth. Optimum tread depth is very important in wet and snowy conditions as well.

Tyre tread loses its depth slowly because of some factors like heat, friction, bad weather and ageing.

You have to maintain proper tread depth if you are looking for optimum performance of your tyres in both wet and dry road conditions.

How to maintain proper tread depth:

You cannot stop the process of tread wear. However, you can slow down the rate of wear by taking some maintenance steps.

First of all, you can try to save your tyres from factors like heat, friction and sunshine. Tyres run on open roads. Thus, this tip seems impractical but you have to try. You can park your car in the shelter whenever you have to stop your car. You may take frequent breaks when you drive your car for a long time.

Check air pressure regularly since improper air pressure will fasten the rate of wear and tear in tyres.

Drive your car according to the nature of the road surface. when you know well that you are driving on an uneven road surface, you need to slow down the speed of your vehicle.

Buying appropriate tyres will also reduce the rate of wear and tear. For example, if you drive mostly in off-road conditions, you have to buy mud tyres since they provide better traction on uneven roads.

Check the tread depth regularly in your Car Tyres NorthamptonYou can measure the tread depth with the help of a tyre tread depth gauge. You can use a coin as well to measure the tread depth. Alternatively, you may look at tread wear indicators as well to measure the tread depth.