Tyre grip determines how safely and efficiently your car handles on the road. From dry summer tarmac to wet UK roads and occasional ice, this guide explains how grip works, which tread patterns suit each condition, and how to choose the best tyres for your driving environment.
The tyres of a vehicle are the only part that makes contact with the road surface. The safety and amount of control that a driver has over the vehicle is heavily influenced by the tyre grip and how it interacts with the road.
As a result, tyre grip is crucial – and is something that needs to be carefully considered in light of:
- The vehicle
- The season and climate
- Weather conditions
In this article, we’re looking at three main conditions that can affect driving and traction on the road, and the best suited tyre grip for each condition.
The Best Grip for Dry Roads
Dry roads are best suited to smooth tyres with a wide surface, increasing the level of grip through optimised contact between the tyres and the road.
A wider tread area increases grip especially when turning corners, though you might find that the vehicle does not perform as well owing to the optimised friction.
The Best Grip for Wet Roads
For UK drivers, this is the most likely scenario that you need to arm yourselves for. After all, we are known for our high and heavy rainfall!
Wet roads are best navigated on tyres with a deep tread, that displaces surface water and channels it away from the tyre to avoid slipping.
The aim of this kind of tyre is to force water out from the edge of the tyre, by leaving exposed edges as the tread pattern runs off the edge on both sides of the tyre. It allows for safe driving, provided the driver slows down as they approach each turn and bend in the road.
