How Does it Work / Tires Brake Questions and Answers Power Steering Questions and Answers Manual Steering

ing Questions and Answers

How Tires and Rims Work

Tires and Rims Basic Operation and Description The first pneumatic tire was made by Scot John Boyd Dunlop to aid his sons cycling. His son often complained of headaches caused by the bumps in the road. But officially Robert William Thomson is given the credit of inventing the idea of tires. Tire companies began establishing in the start of twentieth century. Since then there has been rapid growth of tire manufacturers and the top three tire companies are said to have sixty percent of the global market share. According to a survey, more than four hundred tire companies produce over one billion tires every year. Tires enclosures are made out of flexible material like rubber which is incorporated with wire and fabric, and then filled with pressurized gas. Also known as pneumatic tires, they increase the overall performance of the wheels of an automobile as they control the braking, load support, traction, and steering. They absorb shocks induced by bumpy roads and provide a smooth ride to the driver. Wheels are used interchangeably with rims. The ring of the wheel is the rim, which is a metallic structure onto which the tires are mounted. The metal is the most vital part. Rims should be of such a metal which is hard, light weight and durable and at the same time can dissipate heat. The structure should facilitate cool air flow. The more modern rims score high as they are more aerodynamic and sleek then the one used few years ago. Modern rims are also designed to force air flow over the brake rotor and help keep the brake system cool. Alloy rims are near perfect as they are light weight, dissipate heat quickly and increase mileage and performance.

 Basic Tire Size, Safety, Load and Pressure Information There are different types of tires based on the needs of the people. They are high performance tires, heavy duty truck tires, all season tires, mud and snow tires, all terrain tires, run flat tires, off the road tires, bicycle tires, motorcycle tires, aircraft tires, agricultural tires, industrial tires and spare tires. The appearance of the automobile can be enhanced by adding rims with bigger diameter and in turn, tires with larger radius. The diameter of the rims ranges from thirteen inches to twenty seven inches and above. Depending on the usage the construction of the tires also varies. On this basis, the tires can be categorized as solid tires, bias tires, belted bias tires and radial tires.

Car Tire Basic Manufacture Configuration The different types of wheels rims can also be named as pressed steel wheels, light alloy casting wheels and wire spoke wheels. The style can be classified from basic five spoke alloy and wire rims to the latest chrome spinning wheels. Depending on the use, the rims can be classified as racing rims, truck rims, chrome rims, spinning rims, and custom rims.

A correct amount of pressure in tires not only increases the lifespan of the tire but also adds to the mileage and drivability of the vehicle. A tire pressure gauge located at a local gas station or any other tire air gauge available in the market should be used about once every three months to check the air pressure in your tires. After air pressure examination, reinstall the valve cap to prohibit moisture from entering the valve stem mechanism. At all times, a spare inflated tire mounted on a rim and a jack should be carried in the trunk of the vehicle. Usually, the rims of the car last for a lifetime. Incase of damage to rims, it is advised to replace with an undamaged one immediately, tires have different life expectancy depending on driver habits and road conditions.

Basic Maintenance The pressure of the tires should be checked on a regular basis to avoid a flat tire. To find the air pressure for your car consult the drivers door jam sticker for specification. It is extremely dangerous when the car runs at highway speed with an under-inflated tire as that can lead to a blowout. The tire pressure should be checked when the tire is cold, that is the car hasnt been driven for the past three hours. This inspection can also divulge information about other possible problems related to the suspension and steering systems. Careful observation should be made to inspect for small punctures, cuts and embedded sharp objects like screws, nails, broken glass and metal. When any sharp object pierces into the tire, the tire deflates immediately or lets out the air pressure slowly. A puncture can be detected by spraying soapy water on the suspected area the air from the puncture will form bubbles. Tire repair patches can be glued on to the interior of the tire or even rubbercemented method can be used. Plugs are also available in a tire repair kit that can be used for repairing a small puncture. The tread wear can be tested with the help of tread depth indicator. Once the tread depth crosses the specified minimum, the tires should be replaced immediately. Sometimes there can be unusual tread wear like flat spots, cupping and extreme wear on one side of the tire when compared to the other. All these are indications of overload, balancing problems, under-inflation and bad front end alignment problems. The interiors of the sidewall of the tires should be checked to detect brake fluid leakage. Most tires should be rotated at a time interval of every six months or after every six thousand miles, approximately. It is highly recommended in case of uneven wear (before rotation), the brakes should be checked because the car is lifted for removing the tires. There are usually two rotation patterns, the directional tire rotation and nondirectional rotation. In directional tire rotation, the front tires are exchanged with the following back tires. In nondirectional tire rotation, the front and back tires are exchanges diagonally. After the wheels are rotated, the air pressure in the tires should be checked and adjusted. Also, the wheel lug nut torque should be checked

Vehicle Misalignment Types of vehicle misalignment

Toe-in/out positive/negative camber rear axle misalignment

TOE-IN

Wheel are closer together in the front than they are in the back Refers exclusively to steers tires Feather edge wear on the outside edge of the steer tires Wheel are closer together in the rear than they are in the front Refers exclusively to steer tires Feather edge wear on the inside edge of the steer tires Top of the tire is tilted outward Too much positive camber reduced tire's footprint flat contact Excessive wear on the outside edge of the tire

TOE-OUT

POSITIVE CAMBER