Tread patterns - they’re not just decorative! In fact, they are designed to handle a variety of road conditions and driving styles. Here, we take a look at the 3 kinds of tyre tread.
Directional -
Directional tyre treads are designed to work in one direction only and must...hang on, let’s do that again to really emphasise the point, MUST be fitted accordingly.
Directional tyre treads:
- Typically arrow-shaped in appearance - this works to move water through the tyre fast
- Ideal for sporty cars that drive often on snow and wet roads
- Offer high protection against aquaplaning
- Offer greater directional stability
Symmetrical -
Symmetrical tyre treads can be fitted and rotated in either direction as both halves of the tread pattern are the same.
Symmetrical tyre treads:
- Particularly quiet and provide good road stability
- Have less rolling resistance, which means that fuel consumption is reduced and extends the life of the tyre
- Good value for money, particularly if you mostly drive short distances
Asymmetrical -
Asymmetrical tyre treads have different tread patterns on their inner and outer shoulders. Each side serves a different purpose. Just as with Directional tyres, Asymmetrical tyres MUST be fitted correctly.
Asymmetrical tyre treads:
- Provide maximum grip on wet and dry roads
- Often found on sports cars
- The inner side of the tread provides protection against aquaplaning by effectively dispersing water
- The outer shoulders of the tread have rigid tread blocks, allowing for good grip when cornering as well as when driving on dry surfaces.
