Offset Tread Pattern (Passenger Car)

[Diggin It]

I was in a tire store recently getting new shoes on one of my cars. I noticed these. Can't say as I've ever seen this before. No, I didn't get this style.

 

[CobyRupert]

???
I don't get it either.
Appears to be a directional tire, or at least one side of it does. That is, it appears the tire would be mounted so the "wide side" of the tread would be on the inner side of the vehicle....but why?

 

[bcp]

Each section of the tread explained here, about 1/2 down the page:

Nokian WR G4 - All-Weather tires / Nokian Tires

and here:

Nokian Tyres launches new all-weather performance tire: Nokian WR G4 combines high-performance, all-season handling and reliable winter grip / Nokian Tires

Bruce

 

[coldsteelva]

Also known as an asymmetric tire.

 

[shovelmike]

Interesting, the asymmetry looks a bit odd to the eye, but it makes sense when explained by the manufacturer.
I have seen tire technology come a long way through the years (I'm 67), the bias ply tires I drove on offered little traction compared to modern radials, and talk about tread life....we used to get 10,000- 15,000 per set (when not hot rodding), now 50,000- 60,000 is common. Every Fall meant switching to snow tires and Spring meant back to conventional tires. Modern all season tires put an end to that ritual.

 

[zzvyb6]

An asymmetric tread pattern (and compound). Some of these tires are uni-rotation, too (Only supposed to turn in the indicated direction). The idea is to have a smooth good riding tire with low rolling resistance in play while driving straight ahead. As you corner or brake harder and need some extra force capability, the grip compound(s) come into play. That being said, this tire looks like it's intended to have some deep snow and ice capability, too.

Goodyear has a Triple-Tread design with 3 types of tread blocks and compounds. (Triple tread, get it ?) . There are several others.

 

[CobyRupert]

Interesting, the asymmetry looks a bit odd to the eye, but it makes sense when explained by the manufacturer.
I have seen tire technology come a long way through the years (I'm 67), the bias ply tires I drove on offered little traction compared to modern radials, and talk about tread life....we used to get 10,000- 15,000 per set (when not hot rodding), now 50,000- 60,000 is common. Every Fall meant switching to snow tires and Spring meant back to conventional tires. Modern all season tires put an end to that ritual.

...maybe in Missouri!
I agree that tires are a lot better now days....but...
Last week, I took off 16 "all seasons" and put on 16 snow tires (32 total) on wife's, son's, daughter's and my cars. Whew! 8 of the 16 snow's have studs. IMHO, there's no comparison of studded to non-studded, no comparison of snows to all seasons.

 

[ruffdog]

I have these on the wife's car for the winter....big difference.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+Arctic+12&partnum=16TR6AA12XL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=2012&autoModel=Malibu%204cyl&autoModClar=1LT&cameFrom=WinterSection

 

[Industrial Toys]

Seems like a tire with a bipolar disorder.

You would have a hard time convincing me that tire tread design doesn't often have something to do with marketing (kool factor). Kind of like boot and Athletic shoe treads.

 

[CADplans]

Also known as an asymmetric tire.

I had asymmetric tires on a 1984 Oldsmobile before 1990,, They were Goodyear,
The dual tread pattern was supposed to raise the mileage that the tires would wear,,,