What Is Traction? How Does It Work? And Other FAQ

Did you know that tires are your vehicle’s only connection to the ground? It might seem like a no-brainer, but they’re the only parts that are constantly touching the road. Because they directly affect your driving experience, tires have to meet several standards before they can leave the assembly line. One of these standards includes a good traction rating.

What Does Tire Traction Mean?

The traction of a car refers to the friction between a drive wheel and the road surface. It’s the resistance between the tire and the ground that allows the tire to grip the road without slipping. It’s especially important when driving in the winter, when snow makes the road harder to grip.

How Does Traction Work?

Most people think that as long as the tire has a large surface area, it has the greatest traction. In theory, a wide tire can grip the road better because a large surface area is in contact with the road. However, several other factors can still affect tire traction, such as the following:

Tread Pattern

Different types of vehicles have different traction needs. Most passenger vehicles are designed to have good traction in different weather conditions, while race cars aren’t.

Look closely at your tires, and you’ll notice gouged lines or grooves that run around the tire. These grooves redirect water and oil away from the tire center. On muddy or icy roads, tires with deep treads also provide better grip by locking onto the ground instead of simply sliding across it.

In contrast, race cars have slicks, or tires that have no tread pattern. The smooth surface allows the tires to have more contact with the road. While race cars have better vehicle traction on race tracks, they’re more likely to slip on wet or icy roads than passenger cars whose tires have treads.

Tire Flexibility

Tires with poor flexibility will also have poor traction. If the tire can’t flex to meet the road, it’ll likely keep spinning without ever gripping the road. Most winter tires actually have more natural rubber than other types of tires, so they can stay flexible even when the temperature drops.

Weather Conditions

Why is It so much easier to drive in the summer than it is during the winter? It’s because when it’s warm out, your tires heat up and get softer, improving tire grip. However, when it’s too hot, your tires can overheat and degrade, causing poor traction.

In contrast, the cold causes your tires to stiffen. They’re less likely to flex as you drive, which means they’re also likely to lose traction and slip on the road.

What Are Tire Traction Ratings?

Finding a tire that meets your vehicle’s traction needs is a lot easier than it sounds. This is all thanks to the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) system, a government-defined standard that rates treadwear, temperature, and traction.

The UTQG scores tire traction ratings based on the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement. Tires are rated AA, A, B, and C, where AA has the shortest stopping distance, while C has the longest stopping distance. In other words, the higher the rating, the shorter the stopping distance. Here’s a tire traction rating chart to make things easier to understand:

You can find your tire’s traction ratings on the outer sidewall, in between the UTQG’s scores for your vehicle’s treadwear and temperature.

What Are Tire Traction Devices?

Also known as tire traction enhancers, traction devices are tools that help improve tire grip, especially during the winter. Here are some common examples:

Snow Chains

Snow chains, or tire chains, are probably the most common traction enhancer you’ll find on the market. These metal chains fit around your tires, providing a better grip on snowy roads. Snow chains are also safer for tires and can cause less damage.

Spray-on Enhancers

If you’re looking for something a little easier to carry around, you can try traction enhancer sprays. The spray makes your tires more sticky, which improves traction on slippery surfaces, such as snow, ice, and slush.

Auto Socks

This type of traction device is basically a sock for your tire. Auto socks are woven fabrics that wrap around your tires and act as the contact point between the tires and the road.

Tire Traction Mats

Traction mats are non-slip mats that can help you get out of mud, snow, and sand. If your tires are stuck in the mud, all you have to do is place the traction mats in front of your tires. The mats give your tires something to hold onto until they can regain traction again.

What Is a Traction Tire?

Traction tires refer to winter tires that have large grooves, sharp jagged edges, and occasional studs. Look for the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the tire sidewall, which means that this part meets specific winter performance guidelines. Traction tires are a great investment if you live in an area where it frequently snows.

Where to Get Accessories for Enhanced Traction

Some aftermarket accessories can be used to increase your tire’s traction, making it easier for your vehicle to get a grip on the road. This is especially true when driving in rain or snow where your wheels will be less likely to have a solid hold on the ground.

Accessories like snow chains and tools like spray-on enhancers make it much easier for your vehicle to stay on the road without slipping. You can find all these and more at CarParts.com.

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