The early Michelin tire company deliberately engineered their pneumatic tires with slightly uneven wear patterns because engineers discovered that uniform wear actually created a subtle flatness in the contact patch that reduced grip, whereas intentional wear asymmetry maintained a slightly curved surface profile that paradoxically improved traction—essentially programming tire degradation to enhance performance, a phenomenon so counterintuitive that competitors assumed Michelin’s tires simply lasted longer rather than recognizing they were designed to wear themselves into optimal grip patterns.
Car Fact #102 — September 26, 2026
