Understanding your Tires

6 Functions of a Tire

Tires and cars have reached such a high degree of development that drivers tend to forget the tire is the only point of contact a vehicle has with the road. Tires bear the vehicle load, roll, steer, transmit forces, and serve as a main shock absorber.

1. The tire steers the vehicle with precision regardless of road and weather conditions. The vehicle's ability to keep a straight path depends on the tire's ability to maintain its course. The tire has to absorb transverse forces without deviating from the vehicle's trajectory. Generally speaking, each vehicle has a particular inflation pressure for the tires of each axle. By respecting the differences in pressure between the front and rear axles, optimum driving precision can be obtained.

2. The tire supports the vehicle when it is stationary, but when it is in motion the tire must resist considerable load shifts during acceleration or braking. A car tire has to carry over 50 times its own weight.

3. The tire "drinks up obstacles" absorbing bumps in the road to make life more comfortable for driver and passengers as well as helping the vehicle itself to last longer. The main characteristic of the tire is its flexibility, especially in a vertical direction. The great elasticity of the air contained in the tire enables it to withstand successive deformations caused by obstacles and uneven road surfaces. The correct pressure therefore ensures a reasonable degree of comfort while maintaining the correct steering capacity.

4. The tire rolls more evenly, in greater security, with lower rolling resistance, giving greater driving pleasure and controlled fuel consumption.

5. The tire transmits forces: the engine's power output and the braking forces. How well these forces are transmitted depends on the quality of those few square centimeters of tire in contact with the ground.

6. The tire lasts i.e. continues at its best performance levels for millions of revolutions of the wheel. The wear pattern depends on how the tire is used (load, speed, road surface, condition of the vehicle, driving style, etc.), but especially on the quality of that contact with the ground. That is why tire pressure plays such a major role.

It affects:
- the size and shape of the contact area
- the distribution of forces to the different parts of the tire in contact with the ground.

To function properly and ensure tire security, comfort and economy you should check inflation levels of each tire regularly or be sure to ask your Tom Wood Lexus Service Advisor to check it for you when you are in for service.