Selecting a Tire Tread Type

Passenger tires generally feature a good all-around tread, suitable for normal driving.
Highway tire tread patterns were developed for everyday driving on paved surfaces and provide a quieter ride for SUVs and trucks. These tires can be driven off-road but are not ideally suited for the traction and durability demands of off-road use
All-Terrain (for light trucks and SUV’s) tires feature a tire tread patter that provides better off-road traction and durability than standard highway truck tires. Their more aggressive tread design tends to be noisier on paved roads but remains suitable for everyday use.
Mud-Terrain treads created using wider tread blocks and higher void ratios, which allow them to gain traction in off-road conditions. Mud-Terrain tires can generate higher noise levels and tend to carry lower mileage warranties than other tire tread designs.

Consider these Tire Tread Patterns, as well:

Multi directional tire tread patterns provide the most convenient and flexible choice. They can be mounted on in any axle and installed without concern for which direction the tire will roll.
Asymmetric passenger tires fit almost any wheel, but must be mounted with the outer sidewall facing in the correct direction. Asymmetric tires offer a good compromise between wet and dry performance.
Directional tire tread designs are used in performance and ultra-high performance applications. They are excellent in moving water from under the contact patch for wet traction. One drawback is that in order to be rotated in all four positions on the vehicle they need to be dismounted, then removed and balanced on the wheel.
Cold weather treads can apply to any tread pattern. Their unique tread block design contains many small grooves, or “sipes”, to break up and disperse slush/snow/ water -- providing additional grip.