Tire Tread Information
The tread plays a significant role in the safety and functionality of a tire. The consumer needs to know how to monitor tread depth and be aware of its effect on driving.
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Purpose
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The tread on your tires serves the purpose of giving your car greater traction, or grip, on the surface of the road. This translates to more steering control, especially when you are driving on a wet or slippery road. Different tread patterns serve different purposes, sometimes making consumers choose between tire characteristics. "All-weather" tires, for example, grip the road better in inclement conditions but usually as the cost of a somewhat rougher ride.
Considerations
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Tires with low tread can reduce maneuver control in bad weather. The U.S. government has established a uniform grading system for tires. The tread wear grade for a tire can tell you approximately how long the tire will last. The higher the number that the tire has, the longer it will take the tread to get lower on your tires.
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Features
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The tread wears down over the life of the tire, reducing the amount of grip that the tire has on the road. When the tread is 1/16-inch high, it has become too low and the tire should be replaced. The driver can check the tread depth by watching for the "tread wear indicators." These raised spots are put into the lower part of the tread's groove. When they are at the same level as the tread, replacement is required.
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References
- Photo Credit tire,tyre image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com tire treads close-up image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com
