Method for forming a pneumatic tire

A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove (10, 12, 14). Formed separately is a wearable filler element (46), the wearable filler element (46) having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove (10) formed in the tire. After both the tire and the wearable filler element (46) have been cured, the wearable filler element (46) is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove (10) or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the groove (10) so as to create a groove void (40) radially inward of the wearable filler element (46), the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.