Just was thinking this while my car was getting serviced.. Why do regular vehicles have tread which gets less responsive as it loses it’s tread, while race cars use slick tires for maximum grip? Wouldn’t physics say more tire on road = more surface to grip? If so, why do our cars even have tread? Is it simply to save on MPG? If so, are tires with worn thread less responsive?
In: 3
Treads are for when road conditions are leas than ideal. They help manage hydroplaning on water and slippage on snowy roads. They have different compounds depending on the performance requirements of the vehicle. Harder compounds help the tires to last much longer while sacrificing traction performance. Softer compounds grip the road much better, giving much more traction but wear down more quickly.
Slicks are typically used only under dry ideal conditions. A slick tire on a wet road surface skims over a film of water like a water ski would, completely taking away one’s ability to gain traction or even more importantly steer.
Formula one racing is a good example showing the power of treads. They will race even in the rain, but they change to a treaded tire designed to channel water from the center of the tires outward allowing the most tire/asphalt connection possible for maximum grip.
Latest Answers