I can understand in off-roading because they would actually bite into the ground and push against it, but if the road does not deform into the treads then wouldn’t it be better to have them slick for more surface area? why do race cars use slick tires and not consumer vehicles?
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They generate less traction than a smooth tire on a flat dry surface. That’s why racecars use smooth tires because they race in a very controlled environment.
When the road gets wet, smooth tires lose almost all traction, and it’s extremely dangerous to drive like that. Grooved tires, however, still maintain traction in wet conditions.
This is because a layer of water forms between the smooth tire and the road, separating the tire from the road. The treads, however, allow the water to be directed into the grooves and away from the tire so the tire can still make contact with the road.
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