WHEELS & TIRES

What Tires Are Made Of… Raw Rubber Steel Nylon Polyester Rayon Carbon Black Synthetic Rubber Fiberglass Aramid Brass Most people think tires are made mostly of rubber. This is far from the truth at all . A tire consist of many different things such as steel. nylon, polyester, rayon, carbon black, synthetic rubber(which is man made rubber), fiberglass which is light weight but add strength, aramid, brass. All these things help add strength, heat distribution, lower the actually weight of the tire, also help protect it from natural weathering (sun, wind, rain, snow).

What Is Pneumatic Tire? One that is filled with compressed air All tires manufactured today are considered Pneumatic tires. First device to damped road shock

Who Invented The First Pneumatic Tire? John Dunlop in 1887 1890 he began the Dunlop Rubber Co in Dublin Ireland John was a Scotsman who experimented with covering a rubber tube with canvas to improve the ride comfort of his sons tricycle. After weeks of work the first pneumatic tire came up to its first competitive challenge. On February 28 1888 When rolled across a courtyard, solid tires choked halfway through, but Dunlop’s “MUMMY” tire didn't stop until it crashed into a door.

Why are Tires Black? To protect the rubber from the harmful UV rays. A common type of UV stabilizer called a competitive absorber is added to capture and absorb these harmful UV light wave energy. Competitive absorbers work by capturing and absorbing harmful UV light wane Energy. All tire manufacturers use the same competitive absorber, carbon black. This is why tires are black and why tires are not available in designer colors. All UV stabilizers are sacrificial, meaning the are gradually “used up” to where they can no longer protect against UV damage. As carbon black loses the ability to do its job, it turns gray. This is why rubber grays as it ages. OTHER DEGRADENTS Silicone oils can remove the protective waxes and increase the rate of degradation. Common automotive “protectants” and “tire dressings” are typically devoid of UV stabilizers of any type and contain Petrochemicals and/or silicone oils which dissolve away the protective waxes and can actually aggress the sidewall. In the event of warranty sidewall failure, one of the first things tire manufacturers like for is evidence of the use of these types of products. In turn this will void warranty.

Bias Ply Tire The cord angle is also reversed from ply to ply. Tread is bonded directly to the top ply. A bias ply tire has plies running at an angle from bead to bead. Has plies running at an angle from bead to bead. The cord angle is also reversed from ply to ply. The tread is bonded directly to the top ply. A bias ply tire is one of the oldest designs and it does NOT use belts. the position of the cords in a bias ply tire allows the body of the tire to flex easily. This tends to improve cushioning action. A bias ply tire provides a very smooth ride on rough roads. One disadvantage is that The weakness of the plies and tread reduce traction at high speeds and increase rolling resistance.

Belted Bias Tire Is a bias tire with belts added to increase tread stiffness. These belts are also ran at a different angle. These belts only lie on the tread area and not on the side walls, like cords. Is a bias tire with belts added to increase tread stiffness. The plies and belts normally run at different angles. The belts do NOT run around to the sidewalls but only lie under the tread area. Usually, two stabilizer belts and two or more plies are used to increase tire performance. A belted bias tire provides a smooth ride, good traction, and offers some improvement in tolling resistance over a bias ply tire.

Radial Ply Tire Has plies running straight across from bead to bead with stabilizer belts lying directly beneath the tread. This results in the radial having flexible side wall, but a stiff tread. Has plies running straight across from bead to bead with stabilizer belts directly beneath the tread. A radial tire has a very flexible sidewall, but a stiff tread. The belts can be made of steel, Flexten, fiberglass, or other materials. Radial tires have a very stable footprint (shape and amount of tread touching road surface). This improves safety, cornering, braking, and wear. One possible disadvantage of a radial tire is that it may produce a harder ride at low speeds. The stiff tread area doesn't give or flex as much on rough roads.

Tire Cutaway

Tire Sidewall Info

Tire Size

Load Index P195/60R15 87S - The load index (87) is the tire size's assigned numerical value used to compare relative load carrying capabilities. In the case of our example the 87 identifies the tires ability to carry approximately 1,201 pounds. The higher the tire's load index number, the greater its load carrying capacity. 89 = 1,279 pounds 88 = 1,235 pounds 87 = 1,201 pounds 86 = 1,168 pounds 85 = 1,135 pounds

Speed Rating Rating Maximum Speed Q 99 mph S 112 mph T 118 mph U 124 mph H 130 mph V 149 mph W 168 mph Y 186 mph Z Above 149 mph

TIRE GRADING Tread Wear – Tire life expectations 100 is base line, 150 is 50% better Traction Rating – Braking capabilities A, B, C designations Temp. Rating – Ability to withstand extreme heat

Tire Pressure Should be check monthly Should be checked cold For every 10° Fahrenheit change in air temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi The EPA says your mileage drops 1% for every 2 pounds under the recommended tire pressure.                   

Tire Pressure Placard Use the tire pressure recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual or tire information placard

Effects of Low Tire Pressure Over Inflation

Effects of Low Tire Pressure Under Inflation

Effects of Mismatched Tires Different Manufactures Different sizes New and/or used tires Effects on speedometer Effects on ABS/Traction Control Systems Effects on vehicle handling

Cupping

Bulge

Chunk Outs

Cracks

Side Wear & Feathering

Static Balance Equals out wheel tramp

Dynamic Balance Equals out wobble

Tire Pull Defective/damaged tires Bent wheel (rim) Excessive shoulder wear Excessive feathering

Tire Pressure Monitoring Warns of significant lose of tire pressure First used on 1994 Corvette All cars & LD Trucks must have TP system by 2008 Two types: Direct and Indirect

Direct TP Warning System Computer controlled (BCM) w/ radio transmitters in wheels (pressure sensors) Transmits actual TP of each tire Displays on IPC Diagnostic capabilities

Indirect TP Warning System ABS based system, using existing ABS hardware, w/ software mods Changes in TP affect tire circumference, affecting tire speed Sensors monitor each wheels speed, compairs to one another Approx. 7 psi difference to trigger warning

Run Flat Tires Temp. supports weight of vehicle with no air pressure Internal support, thicker side walls, stronger beads. Can maintain Mobility for 50 miles up to 55 mph

The End for this tire