a stud for a tire to improve traction on a roadway which includes a hardened steel pin mounted in a plastic body and extending therefrom to engage the roadway , wherein the stud is sized for insertion into openings in a tire tread . the plastic body includes a portion that is collapsible so that the stud can self - adjust its position relative to the tread surface as it wears , whereby the steel pin is maintained in close relation to the tread surface throughout the life of the tire to provide the maximum road - engaging condition .