The Effects of Tire-in-Use Factors on Passenger Car Performance

Results which have been obtained from flat-bed tire tests and linear-range steady-turning vehicle tests show that tire-in-use factors have a large influence on the normal driving performance of passenger cars. Test data for bias, belted-bias, and radial tires have been gathered to quantify the effect of inflation pressure, tread wear, and shoulder wear on tire shear force performance. A mobile tire tester has been used to measure maximum traction characteristics for worn and under-inflated tires on wet and dry pavements. The importance of the interaction of steering compliance with tire force and moment properties has been examined.