As we dive more and more into informative and educational articles; we will always keep coming back to tires and their overall health. This is, of course, for safety reasons as well making sure that you get the most out of them. So, let’s dive into it; tire tread patterns and why they matter. This short entry will focus on commercial truck tires and what engineers take into account when designing these different tread patterns.
Let’s take the comparison of a commercial truck that experiences a high amount of braking and acceleration vs a long haul truck that will experience higher speeds with predominantly straight line driving. The latter will expect better fuel economy while the truck that starts and stops often will require a different tread design due to constant scrubbing from its tires.
When engineers look at these tire patterns; fewer sipes, straight ribs, and less tire tread depth all translate into lower rolling resistance which is what long haul truck drivers will more than likely look for. Engineers know that there is constant battle to find the right balance to maximize fuel efficiency and performance. In the example of the truck that stops and starts during its normal operating day, an open shoulder design along with a deeper tread allows for the most traction, benefiting that driver in multiple ways.
In these two short examples, we can see the importance of tire tread patterns and why they matter. Engineers understand and take into consideration the effects on traction, braking, acceleration, tire mileage, fuel efficiency, noise levels, comfort and durability. All a perfect balance that requires “tread patterns specialists” who know what works best in specific applications. Speaking of traction, you’be surprised how much impact tire tread compound has on overall traction. Stay tuned for next month…
Learn what other measures PCL is adding to highlight the importance of tire tread patterns and why they matter by sending us an email at sales@pcltireinflationusa.com
