A tire has an axis of rotation and a tread pattern that includes a plurality of tread blocks having differing circumferential shear stiffness values. The tread pattern also includes a plurality of sub-surface features that are operatively associated with at least some of the tread blocks. The combination of a tread block and a sub-surface feature can alter the circumferential shear stiffness value of tread block to thereby tune the tread pattern. A method of manufacture is also included.