Grooves Between Tire Treads
Tires come with grooves and other shapes in order to make driving safe, but have you ever wondered how exactly they work? The grooves themselves, also known as voids, are there to help channel water off your tires in bad weather. More specifically, they help with the removal of water from under the tires so that you’re always in contact with the asphalt, providing better traction.
If you live in a particularly wet area, the deeper the grooves, the better the traction. When the tire is in contact with the ground, these small gaps expand, sucking the water up, then later throwing it off as you drive.
You’ll also notice smaller grooves called sipes, and they’re there for the same purpose. Fun fact, they were actually patented by John F. Sipe in 1923. Apparently, he always used to trip on the wet slaughterhouse floor. Tired of this daily occurrence, he made small cuts in the rubber soles of his shoes, and the rest is history!
