Tire and Wheel Theory

Chapter 61

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Objectives
Describe how a tire is constructed
Understand the various size designations of
tires
Tell the design differences between radial and
bias tires
Be able to select the best replacement tire for a
vehicle

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Introduction
Service technicians often advise customers
Aspects of tire design
Help make the safest choice

Tires and wheels

Important safety and service specialty area

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tire Construction
Layers of rubber, cords, and two rings of wire
Casing (i.e., carcass): internal tire structure
Ply: metal or fabric rubberized cord

Ends of plies wrap around steel bead

Bonded to side of tire
Beads: coils of wire at side edges

Belt: cord structure made of plies

Under the tread only
Tread: section of tire that rides on the road

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tubeless Tires
Inner liner bonded to tire
Seals air into tire
Thicker than liner on tube-type tire

Safer than tube-type

Does not go flat immediately when punctured

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tire Tread
Grooves in tread allow traction on wet surfaces
Allow tire to flex without squirming
Design is a compromise

Sipes: small grooves in tread like knife cuts

Clear water off the road

Ribs: pump water through grooves to back of tire

Different tread patterns for different driving
conditions
Asymmetrical patterns improve wet performance
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tire Tread Material

Tread material calls for compromise
Hard materials: might wear longer but not
provide sufficient traction
Soft materials: must provide sufficient wear

Hysteresis describes rubbers energy

absorption characteristics
High hysteresis: quiet running, and better wet
and dry grip
Low hysteresis: good lateral stability, low rolling
resistance, and minimized tread wear
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tire Cord and Tire Ply Design

Tire cord
Rubber must be reinforced with fabric, fiber, or
steel cords

Tire ply design

Bias-ply tires have plies
Cross at 35-45 degree angles
Ride softer, but wear faster

Radial-ply tires have casing plies

Run across the tire from bead seat to bead seat
Longer life, better grip and fuel economy
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tire Sidewall Markings

Tire size: listed on sidewall
Profile: tires height
Aspect ratio: height-to-width ratio

Cars may be equipped with a spare tire

Temporary and many have limit speeds

Speed rating indicates better handling

characteristics
Load index: maximum load at speed rating
New speed ratings have been developed for
speeds over 168 mph
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Load Rating
How much weight a tire can safely support at a
specified air pressure
Amount of load: determined by area of tire and
air pressure

Gross weight rating (GVW or GVWR) includes

weight of vehicle, passengers, and luggage
Curb weight: weight of vehicle without
passengers or luggage

DOT symbol signifies the tire meets DOT safety

standards
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

All-Season Tires
Specially designed
pockets and slots
Labeled with mud
and snow
designation

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Snow Tires and Tire Pressure

Monitoring System
Snow tires have deeper tread grooves
Should be installed on all four wheels

Most manufacturers recommend against chains

Cable chains are not as effective as conventional

Run-flat tire have stiffer sidewall and tighter bead

Can partly support the car even with no air

Low-pressure warning system

Installed on all cars since 2006
Direct or indirect TPMS
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

UTQG system rates tread wear, traction, and
temperature dissipation ability
Tread wear varies

Wheel alignment
Road surface texture
Tire rotation maintenance
Vehicle speed and braking practices
Weight of vehicle
Size of tire

Ratings range: 100 to 500 in increments of 20

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Traction Grade
First letter in tire rating is traction grade
Indicates stopping ability on wet asphalt and
concrete
Braking only in straight ahead direction

Second letter is temperature grade

Tires resistance to generating heat
Ability to dissipate heat at highway speeds

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Changing Tire Size

Tire size is changed: substitute tire with equal or
greater load-carrying capacity
Diameter of tire increases: load capacity
increases
Lower profile tire installed: wider tire and larger
diameter wheel is used
Overall diameter of replacement tire: must be
positive two to three percent of original tire
Tire diameter changed: speedometer must be
recalibrated
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Wheels
Wheels have two parts
Center (i.e., flange) and rim

Drop center (i.e., rim well)

Facilitates removal and installation of tire

Safety beads
Keep the tire bead on bead seat

Methods to center wheels on hub

Hub-centric: center of wheel has machined
counterbore that pilots on machined area of hub
Stud-centric: wheels locate on wheel studs
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Custom Wheels
Several types
Aluminum wheels: cast, forged, or rolled
Race cars: use alloy wheels
Custom wheels for street use: single piece
castings of light alloy aluminum

Wheel offset
Difference between rim centerline and mounting
surface of the wheel
Negative offset: increases track width of tires
Positive offset: found on front-wheel-drive cars
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Lug Studs and Lug Nuts

Lug studs
Number of lug studs depends on vehicle load
Different lug bolt patterns are used

Lug nuts
May be inch-standard or metric
Have serrated shank to remain tight during
tightening
Lug nuts for cast wheels are long and thick
Must be used with a washer

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Tire Valve Stems

Passenger car valve stems are usually rubber
Designed for pressures less than 62 psi

Valve stems have a screw-on dust cap

Some have a gasket that prevents air loss past
the valve core

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning