PASSENGER CAR - LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TIRE TYPES AND PATTERNS

GENERAL CONCEPTS

TREAD: Patterned rubber which contacts with road surface between two shoulders.
SHOULDER: Continued pattern between tread and sidewall.
RIB: Continuous circumferential rubber between circumferential grooves.
LUG: Generally defined as block rubber parts which interfered with long lateral grooves.
BLOCK: Rubber parts which interfered with lateral grooves on circumferential ribs.
SIPE:  Thin slits on blocks or ribs.
GROOVES: Descended parts on tread. They can be circumferential or lateral 
TREAD DEPTH: The deepest depth of grooves on tread.

PITCH:  The smallest part which creates complete tread pattern when they come together next by next circumferential on tread pattern. Their length can be variable.

1- PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT VEHICLE COMMERCIAL TIRES.

A- TYRE TYPES

1- SUMMER
2- WINTER
3- FOUR SEASON

B- PATTERN TYPES

1-SYMMETRICAL PATTERN
This is the most common type of tread pattern.The patterns which are both sides of center line are identical. You can mount tire no matter where its direction is.  It offers quieter ride when compare it with directional pattern.

2-ASYMMETRICAL PATTERN
The patterns which are both sides of center line are different. One side of this type of patterns is identified as INSIDE and other side as OUTSIDE. Tire must be mounted according to this identification. There should be Inside marking on one sidewall and Outside marking on the other. Outside of tire must always face to outer side of the car.
Both side of this type of pattern specialized for different functions. 

a-  Inner Side

Generally, Inner side of the pattern is specialized for wet performance. The grooves of this side are bigger and blocks or ribs are smaller then the Outer side. 

b- Outer Side
Generally, Outer side of the pattern is specialized for dry performance. The grooves of this side are narrower and blocks are bigger then the inner side. Shoulder blocks are also bigger and their length lengthen towards to center of tire. All of them ensure better grip when going straight and cornering by the help of bigger contact area and enhance safety.

3-DIRECTIONAL PATTERN
Generally, used when required traction on wet and snowy surfaces. Lateral grooves on this type of pattern are angled towards rotation direction. Directional patterns make tire resistant to aquaplaning. When you look at tire from the front all lateral grooves point the rotation direction of tire like an arrow. There are arrows which point the rotation direction of tire on sidewall. Tire should be mounted to the car according to these arrows. Arrows must be pointed movement direction (or front of the car) of the car always.

Passenger car and Light Commercial Vehicle Tyres can be classified as above. Of course those classifications can be divided to sub groups like performance criterias.

For example:
For Passenger Car Tires:
* Standard Performance (Speed index T)
* High Performance (Speed index between H and V)
* Ultra High Performance (Speed index W and above)

1- SUMMER TIRE
These types of tire are suggested for using above 7 centigrade of celsius. They should be show superior performance on dry and wet surfaces.

2-WINTER TIRE
These types of tire are suggested for using below 7 centigrade of celsius. They should be show superior performance on wet and snowy/icy surfaces. There should be three peak mountain and snow flake inside of it symbol on sidewall.

3- FOUR SEASON TIRE
As its name say so, you can use this type of tyres all seasons. They should be show modarate performance on dry, wet and snowy surfaces. There should be M+S mud and snow marking on sidewall.