How to Read Tire Tread Specifications?

[McJayden]

Tire tread model numbers can be found on the sidewall of the tire, such as the digits 225/55R18-103V-TR257. Here, 225 represents the tread width, 55 is the sidewall height, R stands for radial tire, 18 indicates the rim size, 103 is the load index, V denotes the speed rating, and TR257 refers to the tread pattern. Generally, tire treads consist of various longitudinal, lateral, and diagonal grooves on the tire surface. More details are as follows: 1. Longitudinal tread patterns, characterized by continuous grooves, primarily serve the function of draining water in wet conditions and aid in heat dissipation, but they lack sufficient grip. Lateral tread patterns, on the other hand, provide stronger traction, compensating for the inherent weakness of longitudinal patterns. 2. The longitudinal grooves on tires mainly facilitate rapid water drainage but result in reduced traction. Conversely, lateral grooves offer superior grip but have poor water drainage and directional stability. This led to the development of hybrid tread patterns, combining the quick-draining longitudinal grooves in the center with the high-traction lateral grooves on the shoulders for optimal performance.