 |
|
| |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Alignment
The checking and adjustment of caster, camber angle and toe on a vehicle's suspension to maintain specifications engineered by the vehicle manufacture for optimum performance. Sometimes called wheel alignment.
Aspect ratio
The relationship between the section height and section width of tire expressed as a percentage of width. If the section height is one half the section width, the aspect ratio is 50%. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Balance
The equal distribution of the mass of the tire and wheel assembly for smooth driving. Balance is achieved by fitting weight to the wheel rim to offset uneven weight distribution of the tire or rim.
Bead
A hoop of high tensile steel wires which anchors the plies and conforms to the rim seat to hold the tire onto the rim.
Bead seat
The inner ledge portion of the wheel where the tire bead rests adjacent to the flange.
Belt
The band of multiple tire cords comprised usually of rubberized steel wire beneath the tread and laid at opposing angles. The belt determines the tire's diameter and stabilizes the tread by resisting deformation due to cornering, braking and centrifugal forces. These do not tie into the tire beads.
Bias ply
A type of tire construction utilizing plies ( usually rubberized fabric cords ) that run diagonally from one bead to the other. One ply is set on a bias in one direction, and succeeding plies are set alternately in opposing directions crossing each other. Sometimes called a cross-ply tire. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Camber
The angle between the centerline of the tire and vertical line as viewed from the front.
Camber thrust
A cornering force generated by the tire's camber.
Casing
The tire body, composed of plies which form the tire's structure and gives it shape. Sometimes called the carcass.
Caster
The angle between the vehicle's steering axis and a vertical line, as viewed from the side.
Compounding
The combining of five basic ingredients : rubber, carbon black, plasticizers, curing materials and ozone retardants to form the tread and other "rubber" components of a tire.
Contact patch
The area of the tire's tread that is in actual contact with the ground. Sometimes called the "footprint".
Cornering force
The lateral frictional force generated by a cornering tire, acting in opposition to the centrifugal force.
Crown
The center area of tire's tread. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Deflection
The difference between the distances of a tire's unloaded or free radius and the tire's loaded radius.
Directional stability
The ability of a car to travel in a straight line with a minimum amount of driver control. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Imbalance
The condition that exists when a tire's mass is not evenly distributed around the rolling axis and center line, causing the tire to bounce or shake.
Inflation pressure
The pressure of the air inside a tire, which applies a tensile stress to the tire cord, permitting it to carry the vehicle's load. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Liner or inner liner
The layers of low permeability rubber which are laminated to the inside of tubeless tire to insure the air retention quality of the tire body.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Mounting tires
The act of fitting tires to wheel rims.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Overall diameter
The diameter of an unloaded, inflated tire measured from the crown on one side to the crown on the side. The free radius equals one-half of the overall diameter. Sometimes called the outer diameter.
Over inflation
The condition that exists when a tire is inflated beyond the pressure corresponding to the actual load or beyond the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation.
Over steer
A cornering condition where rear tires operate at a greater slip angle than the front tires; the tendency of a car to turn more sharply than the driver intends while negotiating a turn. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Plies
The reinforcing member of a tire composed of layers, cord, fabric and rubber that provide the strength to contain the air pressure needed to support a load and resist deflection.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Radial
The construction utilizing plies whose cords run radially from bead to bead under the tread. This construction require a belt to stabilize the tread and defines the tire diameter.
Revolutions per mile
The measured number of revolutions made by a tire traveling one mile.
Rim
The portion of a wheel incorporating the well, seat and flange onto which a tire is mounted.
Rim diameter
The diameter of the rim bead seats that supports a tire are normally indicated in whole numbers in inches for passenger cars.
Rotation
The systematic movement of tires from one vehicle position to another to maximize tread life and minimize irregular wear.
Run out
The measure of the out-of-roundness of the tire causing a vibration which cannot be balanced.
Rim width
The distance between rim flanges.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Section
A slice of a tire from one bead, through the tread, to the other bead.
Section height
Distance from the bead seat to outer tread surface of an inflated tire.
Section width
The distance between a tire's sidewalls measured at the widest part of the inflated tire.
Series
A designation of tire's aspect ratio. A tire with an aspect ratio of 60% is a 60 series tire.
Shoulder
The edge of a tire's tread where it joins the sidewall.
Sidewall
The portion of the tire between the bead and the tread.
Slip angle
The angle between the direction in which a tire is aimed or steered and the actual direction of the tire.
Speed rating
A letter designation identifying the tire's high-speed durability on an indoor test wheel. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Toe
The difference between the front and rear edges of tires mounted on an axle. Toe-in means the front edges are closer together than the rear edges and tires point inward. Toe-out means the front edges wider than the rear edges and the tires point outward.
Tread
The tough, rubber portion of a tire designed to contact the ground.
Tread pattern
The arrangement of blocks, grooves, sipes and channels designed into the tread to enhance its grip. Also called the tread design.
Tread wear
The measure of the life of a tire tread, usually described in number of miles.
Tubeless
A tire construction that uses a rubber inner-liner inside the casing to prevent air leakage and eliminates the need for an inner tube.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Under inflation
The condition that exists when there is not sufficient air pressure in a tire to support a specific load. This causes the tire to operate with excessive deflection, mechanical flexing and heat. Operating a tire underinflated could lead to sudden air loss or sudden tire failure.
Under steer
The condition that exists during cornering when the front of vehicle tends to skid before the rear. |
|
|
|
|
