Smooth tyres would not run efficiently on wet roads. As you know well, tyres run on varied road surfaces and they have to conquer the road conditions. Efficiency of your car tyres depends on different factors like rolling resistance, nature of road surface, tread pattern of tyre and rubber material.
We are sure you have observed that only the tread part of Continental Tyres Aberdeen comes in contact with the road surface. It is usually smooth in racing tyres but smooth tyres come with a grooved tread pattern.
In this article, we will discuss tyre tread of passenger tyres.
There are different tread pattern in the market. These patterns change the behaviour and performance level of a tyre in different seasonal and road conditions. A common example of functions of tread pattern is winter tyres. Winter tyres are very effective on snowy and cold road because of their deeper tread grooves. However, the same tread pattern is useless on hot road surfaces.
Tyre manufacturers create designs of tread with the help of its subcomponents.
There is the following element in a tyre pattern:
Tread blocks: these raised rubber segments make direct contact with the road.
Ribs: This element is also called transverse voids.
Sipes: small blocks in a tyre to enhance grip and traction on wet roads.
Grooves: You will see these channels around the circumference of the tyre between the ribs.
There are three following types of tread pattern that are based on different patterns of tread elements:
Symmetrical tread:
This is the most common tread pattern you will see in passenger tyres. This tread pattern is symmetrical. It means both the inner and outer sides of the tread have a symmetrical design Car Tyres Aberdeen. This pattern is a design of continuous ribs all around the circumference.
Asymmetrical tread pattern:
You will see patterns in tyres with different designs on the outer and inner sides of the tread part. This design allows the tyres to perform in both wet and dry road conditions. Different rotation patterns are possible with this pattern.
Directional tread:
As the name suggests, these tyres may run on a single side. The tread pattern shows a V-shaped pattern that shows that the tyre is supposed to run in this direction of arrowheads. It means you cannot change the sides of these tyres at the time of tyre rotation.
When you buy new tyres, the tread is at the optimum level but this condition is unstable. Gradually tread depth goes down to cause tread wear. Treadwear is a condition in which your tyres will show bald partly and later, they will become completely bald.
A smooth surface and cracks on the rubber are some warning signs that signify the presence of tread wear.
Treadwear is a steady process that takes place due to the following factors:
Heat and friction:
Extreme heat degrades the tyre rubber. When your tyres run on a hot road surface, the tread rubber becomes softer and the softness of rubber is an ideal situation for degradation. Friction also works with heat to degrade the tyre rubber. The level of friction depends on the nature of the road surface. A smooth surface will generate less friction but the level of friction will be higher on an uneven road surface.
Speed:
The higher speed of a vehicle will increase the level of friction and heat. If you like to drive your vehicle at a high speed, at least slow down your vehicle on the irregular road surfaces. Irregularities in a road surface will increase the level of friction and high speed will make a dangerous combination with a higher level of frictional force.
Ageing:
Ageing is a natural process. In this process, the oils and chemicals of rubber wear out gradually. Moreover, the rubber becomes hard and brittle over time due to its biodegradable nature. You would not be able to stop the process of rubber degradation. However, you can slow down the process with the help of proper maintenance.
Is tread wear dangerous?
Surely, driving with bald tyres is risky. Bald tyres would not make proper grip on even a smooth road surface. Therefore, they will be highly dangerous on wet, snowy, or muddy roads.
As an interesting fact, proper tread saves your tyres from punctures and blowouts. Your tyres need a thick layer of rubber to bear the road conditions. A thinner layer will degrade at a faster rate and it will invite punctures and blowouts more easily.
So, we can conclude easily that tread wear is a dangerous condition of your tyres.
Is it possible to repair tread wear?
No, bald tyres are not repairable!
You have to change your Car Tyres Aberdeen immediately whenever you observe tread wear. The legal limit of tread depth is 1.6mm in the UK. Thus, you have to maintain this limit to drive on roads with full confidence. If you drive with bald tyres, you are at risk of road accidents. Moreover, you are offending a legal rule as well.
