Tires and

Wheels
Introduction
Functions
only contact with ground
act as the primary suspension, cushioning
the vehicle from effects of rough surface
provide frictional contact with the road
surface which allows the driving wheels to
move the vehicle
front tires allows the wheels to steer
tires allow braking to slow or stop the
vehicle
Properties of Tires
non – skidding
uniform wear
load carrying capacity
speed capacity
cushioning
power consumption
noise
balance
Parts
A. Tire Belts
Rubber-coated layers of steel, fiberglass,
rayon, and other materials located between
the tread and plies, crisscrossing at angles,
hold the plies in place. Belts provide
resistance to punctures and help treads stay
flat and in contact with the road.
B. Tire Sipes
Sipes are special treads within the tread that
improve traction on wet, dirty, sandy, or
snowy road surfaces.
C. Tire Tread
The portion of the tire that comes in contact
with the road.
D. Tire Grooves
The spaces between two adjacent tread
ribs are also called tread grooves. These
allow water to escape effectively.
E. Tire Shoulder
The outer edge of the tread that wraps
into the sidewall area.
F. Tire Sidewall
The sidewall of the tire protects cord plies
and features tire markings and
information such as tire size and type.
G. Tire Inner Liner
This is the innermost layer of a tubeless tire
that prevents air from penetrating the tire.
H. Tire Bead
A rubber-coated loop of high-strength steel
cable that allows a tire to stay "seated" on a
rim.
I. Tire Body Plies
This is the tire itself, made up of several
layers of plies. Plies, like polyester cord, run
perpendicular to the tire's tread and are
coated with rubber to help bond with other
plies and belts to seal in air. Plies give tires
strength and resistance to road damage.
 Carbon black adds strength and
C abrasion resistance, while protecting
rubber against UV light.
O During curing, sulphur links rubber
molecules together, adding strength,
M and giving the rubber resistance to
both heat and cold.
P Zinc stereate
Small amounts of zinc stereate and
O waxes help control curing rate,
prevent oxidation and make rubber
easier to process.
U Accelerators are used to control the
cure rate, so different types of rubber
N can cure fully – in same amount of
time.
D Antioxidants and antiozonants are
added to rubber to fight degradation
by oxygen and ozone, which can
shorten the life of tyres.
Tire Cutaway
 Bias Ply Tire
 One of the oldest
design
 Several textile plies
are laid across each
other, running from
bead to bead in
alternate directions
 Number of plies
depends on the size
of the tire and the
load it has to carry
 Same number of plies is used on the crown
and the sidewalls
 Does not use belts
 Allows body of the tire to flex easily
 Improved cushioning hence smooth ride on
rough roads
 Crosshatch construction provides
stronger/tougher sidewalls
 Due to the design of the tire’s construction,
bias ply want to roll straight
 Generally Less Expensive
 Weakness: reduced traction at high speeds
and increase rolling resistance
 Belted Bias Ply Tire
• Bias ply tires with belts added to
increase tread stiffness.
• Belts do not run around the
sidewalls, they lay under the tread
area only
• Belts and plies run at different
angles
• Offers some reduction in rolling
resistance over a bias ply tire
• Provides smooth ride and good
traction
 Radial Ply Tire
 Plies run straight
across from bead to
bead.
 While taking turns it
has less tendency to
distort and lift off the
road from one side.
 Larger resistance to
punctures, cuts and
impacts in the tread
area.
 Each ply is laid at an angle of 90 degrees
to the direction of tire rolling
 At the top of the tire crown (under the
tread), a belt made up of several plies
reinforced with metal wire is laid.
 These crown plies, laid one on top of the
other, overlap at an angle determined by
the type of the tire.
 Runs Cooler
 Steel Belted – Results in tougher overall
construction
 Longer Tread Life
 Wider Footprint
 Advantages of Radial Ply
Tires
• Side walls can bend easily it’s shock
absorbing capacity is 25% more than
bias ply or cross ply.
• Lower rolling resistance and hysteresis
loss leads to less fuel consumption
• Longer tread life because of less heat
build in tire.
 Braking efficiency on wet roads is better
because of greater sidewall flexibility and
tread stiffness
 Better steering characteristics.
Bias Contact Radial Contact
Patch Patch
 Non – Directional
Tires Unidirectional Tires
 Grooves are in one direction
 Uniform grooves  Direction of rotation is clearly
marked
 Can run in any  Has a very flexible sidewall and a stiff
direction tread, giving it a very stable footprint
 Consist of carcass ply formed by
textile arcs running from one bead to
the other
Advantages of Tubeless Tires
 Lesser unsprung weight.
 Better cooling
 Lesser rolling resistance
 Comfortable ride
 Slower leakage of air
 Simple assembly
 Improved safety
Tire Sidewall Markings
Speed Rating
Load Rating
 Tire Problems
FEATHERING
 Improper alignment (TOE).
 Worn or damaged
steering/suspension parts.
 Hard cornering
CUPPING
 Worn or damaged steering or
suspension parts.
 Improper balancing
ONE EDGE
 Improper alignment
(CAMBER).
 Worn or damaged steering or
suspension parts
Tread Wear Markings
 Tire Care Essentials
 If radial and cross ply tires are fitted to
the same vehicle, radial – ply tires must
be fitted on the rear.
 Cross – ply and radial ply tires must
never be fitted on the same axle.
 Tire pressures must be set to the
manufacturers recommendations
 The tread and side wall must be free
from large cuts, abrasions or bubbles
 Wheel Basics
• Most standard wheels are
made of steel.
• Some vehicles are fitted
with alloy wheels that are
made of magnesium or
aluminum
• The rim holds the tire.
• Well of the wheel allows
the tire to be removed
and refitted.
• Centre section is welded
to the rim
Parts of a Wheel
 Valve Stems and Cores
Function
 retains air, allows inflation
and deflation.
 Rubber stem of the valve is
pulled into the wheel.
 Valve core contains a spring
loaded air valve insert.
 The valve core has a sealing
washer and a seat washer.
 valve cap keep out dust and
helps keep air in.
 Tire pressure must only be
checked and adjusted when
the tire is cold.
 Wheel Fixings
 Wheel studs and nuts attach
the wheel to the hub.
 Wheel studs press through the
hub or axle flange.
 Taper on the wheel nuts
secures and centers the wheel.
 Wheel studs usually have a
right – hand thread.
 If it is a left – hand thread, it
can be marked with “L”.
 Metric threads are marked
with “M” or METRIC.
 Wheel Nut Torque
• Correct torque of wheel is
fixing is vital for all vehicles,
and nearly all require the use
of a torque wrench.
• Excessive torque can lead to
wheel or hub distortion,
causing run out and vibration.
• Low torque may allow wheel
nuts to work loose and
wheels to come off.
• Nuts should always be
tightened in a diagonal
pattern.
 Run Flat Tires
 Temporarily supports
weight of vehicle even
with no air pressure.
 Internal support,
thicker and stiffer
side walls, stronger
beads.
 Can maintain mobility
for up to 100 km at
slow speed (60 kmph)
Aquaplaning (Hydroplaning)