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- Definition:
- A type of tire tread design where the patterns and grooves differ across the tire’s surface. Typically divided into three distinct zones: the outside shoulder, the center zone, and the inside shoulder.
- Purpose:
- To enhance performance by optimizing different aspects of driving such as cornering, steering control, and traction under various road conditions.
- Features:
- Outside Shoulder:
- Larger tread elements with fewer sipes to increase stability during cornering.
- Center Zone:
- Designed to improve steering response and control.
- Inside Shoulder:
- Features tread elements with more sipes and larger shoulder slots to better disperse water and slush, enhancing traction.
- Benefits:
- Improved handling and cornering stability.
- Enhanced steering precision.
- Better traction in wet and slushy conditions.
- Considerations:
- Must be mounted in a specific orientation to ensure the correct tread patterns are aligned with the wheel’s position, with the outside pattern facing outward.
- Proper installation is crucial to maximize the tire’s performance benefits.
- Applications:
- Commonly used in performance and all-season tires to provide balanced driving characteristics in various conditions.