Classification According to Pattern

With the exception of certain special tires, various characteristics exist for tire treads (the part of the tire that meets the road). These characteristics are becoming more complicated as applications grow more diverse with the development of roads and vehicles.

(1) Kerf

Kerf is a small slot molded into treads to improve braking capability or prevent. It is particularly useful on wet road surfaces.

Type Rid

Advantages

• Low rolling resistance and heat generation
• High resistance to side slippage, good steering and safety
• Less vibration and good rideness

Disadvantages

• Relatively lower braking, driving power
• Grooves are sensitive to fatigue

Main applications

• Paved roads, high speeds
• Mainly used for passenger cars and buses as well as light trucks

Type Lug

Advantages

• Good driving, braking power
• Good for unpaved roads

Disadvantages

• Relatively higher rolling resistance
  (low fuel economy)
• Relatively greater noise
• Relatively lower registance to side slippage

Main applications

• Regular roads, unpaved roads
• Used for trucks, buses, light trucks.
  Most construction vehicles and
  industrial vehicles use the lug type

Type Rib-lug

Advantages

• Good steering and safety due to use of both rib and lug patterns
• Good for vehicles that use both paved and unpaved roads

Disadvantages

• Greater wear on ends of lugs
• Rips in rib grooves
• Lower driving, braking power than lug type

Main applications

• Paved, unpaved roads
• Used for trucks, buses

Type Block

Advantages

• Good propulsion, braking
• Good braking, steering, safety good in snow & mud

Disadvantages

• Wears faster than rib or lug types
• High rolling resistance

Main applications

• Snow tire
• Used for sand service vehicles

Type Asymmetrical

Advantages

• Uniform contact area
• Good wear and braking
• No need to rotate tires

Disadvantages

• Not in much use
• Little compatibility with other sizes

Main applications

• Passenger use tire (high speed)
• Some trucks