TIRE BASICS

Construction and characteristics of the three basic tire types (bias ply, belted bias, radial) are described. Radials generally provide significant better tread life than the other two types and offer superior handling. Photographs/captions illustrate the various testing and analysis procedures used by tire companies in product development and quality control. Mixing of tire types is not recommended. For the best safety and performance, all tires should be the same type, preferably the same brand and model. Basic rules for mounting tires include never mixing tire types on the same axle (always mount in pairs), not fitting bias or belted bias tires on the rear axle if radial tires are on the front axle, and not fitting bias ply tires on the rear if belted bias tires are on the front. Tire rotation charts are given for the tire types. Aspect ratio (series) indicates the percentage of height to width in a tire-cross-sectional profile. Tubeless and tube tires are compared. Tire markings are explained and illustrated, including two examples of tire size codes (an American alphanumeric and a European metric designation), an example of the Department of Transportation code, and load range letters. A chart lists corresponding size codes for tires of different construction.

• Corporate Authors:

  US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

  Norton AFB, CA  United States  92409
• Publication Date: 1981-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 5 p.
• Serial:
  • Driver
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bias ply tires; Coding systems; Quality control; Radial ply tires; Rotation; Size; Testing; Tire treads; Tires; Wear
• Uncontrolled Terms: Tubeless tires
• Old TRIS Terms: Mounting; Radial tires
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00370517
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-031 195
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1983 12:00AM