The tire size “LT235/65SR16” can be broken down as follows:
LT: This stands for “Light Truck,” indicating that the tire is designed for vehicles classified as light trucks, which can include SUVs, vans, or pickup trucks. Light truck tires are typically built for heavier loads and more rugged use than passenger car tires.
235: This number represents the tire’s width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. In this case, the tire is 235 millimeters wide.
65: This is the aspect ratio of the tire, which is the height of the tire’s sidewall as a percentage of its width. Here, the sidewall height is 65% of the tire’s width (235 mm). So, the sidewall height would be 235 mm * 0.65 = 152.75 mm.
S: This letter denotes the tire’s speed rating. “S” means the tire is rated for speeds up to 112 mph (180 km/h). However, this part is slightly unusual because the speed rating is typically at the end after the rim diameter, but here it’s placed before the rim diameter. This might be a typographical error or an unusual format; typically, you’d see something like “LT235/65R16 112S” where “112” is the load index followed by “S” for speed rating.
R: This stands for “Radial,” which describes the construction of the tire. Most modern tires are radial, meaning the internal ply cords run radially across the tire from bead to bead.
16: This number indicates the diameter of the wheel (rim) in inches that the tire is designed to fit on. Here, it’s 16 inches.
So, this tire size describes a light truck tire that is 235 mm wide, has a sidewall height of 152.75 mm, is designed for a 16-inch rim, and is supposedly rated for speeds up to 112 mph, assuming the “S” is correctly placed for speed rating. If the format is correct, you might need to confirm the speed rating with the tire’s exact specifications or product listing
Generally, a more aggressive tread pattern can provide more traction, particularly in off-road, muddy, snowy, or slippery conditions. Here’s how this works:
Increased Grip: Aggressive treads often have larger, deeper, and more spaced-out lugs or blocks. These features allow the tire to dig into softer surfaces like mud or snow, providing better grip by displacing the material and creating traction.
Water Evacuation: In wet conditions, aggressive treads with more sipes (small slits in the tread blocks) or grooves can help channel water away from the tire’s contact patch, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and maintaining traction.
Self-Cleaning: The design of aggressive treads often allows for self-cleaning where mud or debris does not get stuck in the tread, ensuring continuous traction.
However, there are trade-offs:
Road Noise: More aggressive treads can be noisier on paved roads due to the uneven surface they create against the road.
Ride Comfort: They can lead to a less comfortable ride because the tire might not conform as smoothly to the road surface, transmitting more road irregularities to the vehicle.
Wear and Fuel Efficiency: Aggressive treads might wear faster on hard surfaces and can increase rolling resistance, which might slightly decrease fuel efficiency.
Dry Pavement Traction: On dry, smooth pavement, an overly aggressive tread might not provide significant traction benefits over a less aggressive but well-designed tire. In fact, tires with a less aggressive tread might have better contact area and thus better traction on dry, smooth roads.
In summary, for off-road or challenging conditions, a more aggressive tread generally offers better traction, but the benefits might not be as pronounced or could even be negative on regular road surfaces. The choice should be based on the primary use of the vehicle and the conditions you most often encounter.