The tread pattern of a car tyre affects grip, braking, handling and noise. Tyre makers design different patterns for different conditions – from dry-road stability to wet-weather braking and winter traction.
In this guide we explain the three main tyre tread patterns, how to identify them on your own tyres, and what each type is best for.
The different tyre tread patterns
Most road tyres use one of these three tread designs:
- Symmetrical
- Asymmetrical
- Directional