Tires are vital for your vehicle’s handling and safety, and the traction determines how well they will perform in different weather and terrains. It can be overwhelming to select tires, but there are characteristics to look for when choosing wheels for your car. Below, learn about how tire traction works and how it impacts your vehicle. 

How Important Is Traction?

Traction is defined as the resistance between the tire and the ground. It affects the safety and performance of your vehicle on different surfaces and in varying conditions. Experts test traction to figure out how each design will fare on the road.

Treads, which are the grooves in the rubber, are a necessary component for creating traction and are designed to improve contact with the pavement despite the weather and any materials that could affect tires as they roll.

Without traction, the wheels would spin and wouldn’t create enough friction to move as the engine provides power. This can also be hazardous, especially on slick roads, leading to collisions and blowouts when the treads are too worn down.

What Impacts Traction?

Water, ice, snow, oil, and even sand and gravel can interfere with reliable traction. These substances get in the way of the rubber’s ability to grip the road and produce the necessary friction to move.

Treads are supposed to push water, mud, and debris away from the center of the tire so that friction can be achieved. Tire compounds are added to the areas that touch the pavement and affect how flexible the tread pattern is against the road. Dry traction, which allows the tires to function on dry surfaces, will have softer tread compounds and shorter tread life than wet traction tires. Wet traction tires feature deeper grooves for trapping moisture.

What Tire Types Have Different Tractions?

In the United States, traction grades are AA, A, B, and C, with AA being the best and C the worst. There are also M and S varieties specifically designed for mud and snow. Most tires on the market are rated A, with the next available being B.

All-season tires are a versatile option that offers a reliable balance for all weather conditions. Their symmetrical treads and groove depths make them efficient on any surface, wet or dry. Similarly, touring tires have the comfort and reliability of all-seasons but have better handling responsiveness, particularly at higher speeds.

Summer tires are helpful for higher temperatures and will have solid contact patches and strong grooves to stop hydroplaning during a summer storm. Winter tires, on the other head, are designed for weather 45 degrees and lower and feature deep grooves to remove buildups of snow and slush. There are also studded tires designed for use on heavy ice and in snowy conditions. 

If you are looking for new tires in Kannapolis, NC, head over to Brothers Tire Sales. With more than 200 years of combined experience and 57 years in business, the family-oriented auto maintenance center offers top tire brands such as Michelin® and BF Goodrich® and provides quality offerings ranging from oil changes to brake repair. To schedule a service call (704) 933-2203. Visit them online for their current coupons.