Tread Patterns

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 by Porter Pryde

Every now and then I will get a question from a customer asking about a tire’s tread design that does not “look right.” According to the customer, the tread design on the driver side and passenger side tires are not pointing in the same direction. This is a good time to discuss the variety of,tread patterns used by tire manufacturers.

Symmetric Tread Patterns
A symmetric tread pattern is the most common design. It features continuous ribs or independent tread blocks across the tire’s entire tread face where both inboard and outboard halves feature the same pattern. Tires featuring symmetric tread patterns allow the use of multiple tire rotation patterns.

Continental ContiProContact     Michelin Pilot HX MXM4
Continental ContiProContact Michelin Pilot HX MXM4
Asymmetric Tread Patterns
An asymmetric pattern is often confused with a directional tread pattern and is the source of the confusion that I mentioned earlier. This pattern changes across the face of the tire to blend the requirements of dry grip, water dispersal and snow traction.

By incorporates larger tread ribs/blocks on the outboard side of the tire, corninering stability is increased on dry roads by offering a greater contact area.

The inboard side of asymmetric designed tires usually features smaller, independent tread blocks to aid wet and/or winter traction when driving straight ahead.

Tires featuring asymmetric tread patterns allow for rotation to either side of the vehicle and are identified with mounting instructions printed on the side wall designating "Mount this side out."

Kumho Ecsta ASX                    Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Kumho Ecsta ASXContinental ExtremeContact DWS
Directional (Unidirectional) Tread Patterns
A directional tread pattern is designed to roll in only one direction. It incorporates lateral grooves on both sides of the tire’s centerline that point in the same direction and result in v-shaped tread blocks. These grooves enhance hydroplaning resistance at high speeds by pumping water more efficiently through the tread pattern. Directional tires are to be used on one side of the vehicle and are intended to be rotated from the front axle to the rear axle. If different tire sizes are used on the front and rear axles, the tires become location-specific and tire rotation is not possible unless the tires are remounted.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus     Bridgestone RE960AS                                                             
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S PlusBridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position

Comments on Tread Patterns

Friday, August 20, 2010 by David Miller:
I have 2007 Brigstone Fuzion tire. When mounted with "outside" logo to the out side the trea patterns left side vs right side are oposite. if mounted by loghic of having trwead design going in same direction two tires would have inside logo to the out side. The tire dealer has no answers. The tires make a lot of road noise.
Monday, August 23, 2010 by Porter:
Dear Mr. Miller, thank you for your question. Tires with asymmetric tread designs should be mounted with the side marked outside to the outside. The slant to the tread groves is to allow for water dispersion. The tire only has a very narrow portion of the tread making contact with the road at one time and the angled grove helps eject water out from under the tire. The groves work equally well whether slanted to the front or back of the car. We would need further information to help determine the cause of the tire noise.
Saturday, September 25, 2010 by bob berger:
How do I determine if tread pattern on my SUV tires is causing noise when I reach speeds of 60mph and above?
Saturday, September 25, 2010 by Porter:
Dear Mr. Berger, Without knowing the tires we can offer some possible causes. Tires that have an tread pattern designed to work off-road will make noise at highway speeds. If the tires have uneven wear they will make noise also. A tire with damaged or defective internal structure will also be noisy. The tires should be inspected for both irregular tread wear or possible damage or defects. Other vehicle issues such as worn wheel bearings or other mechanical issues can sound like tire noises also. Without further information these are speculations. We suggest the vehicle be inspected before further use as the noise may be evidence of a potentially dangerous condition.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 by Alex:
What about tires like Pirelli Scorpion ATR or Nitto Terra Grappler? What is the proper way to install them? Do they have to be installed identically (same direction) on all wheels, or symmetrically? Does it matter? Thanks!!!
Friday, January 20, 2012 by dean devor:
inside wear on both front tires
Sunday, January 29, 2012 by Andrey Filippov:
Dunlop SP Sport 01 is assymetrical Tire. Is it also directional tire. Thread patterns look like they are.
Thank you.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by Dave:
I was getting ready to put my summer tires on and was wondering if they are directional or merely aysmetrical? Can I rotate them side to side? Continental ExtremeContact DW (Not DWS)
Thanks in advance.
Friday, April 20, 2012 by Charles:
My Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tires (225/45R17) are asymmetrical. Are they also directional?
Saturday, October 20, 2012 by Mike:
The Michelin Defender appears to have a unidirectional tread design, but I don't see a rotation indicator on the sidewall. Does anyone have any info on this tire in terms of direction?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 by porter:
The Michelin Defender incorporates an asymmetric tread design for a balance of dry cornering traction and dependable wet traction. An asymmetrical tread design is not directional and is designed to rotate in either direction.
Our web site describes it best:
"An asymmetric pattern is designed to blend the requirements of dry grip and water dispersal/snow traction where the tread pattern changes across the face of the tire. An asymmetric tread pattern usually incorporates larger tread ribs/blocks on the outboard side to increase cornering stability on dry roads by offering greater contact area. This also helps to reduce tread squirm and heat buildup on the outside shoulder. The inboard side usually features smaller independent tread blocks to aid wet and/or winter traction when driving straight ahead. Tires featuring asymmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns."

Leave a comment





Captcha