KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

MECHANICAL AND PRODUCTION

BACHELORS OF ENGINEERING IN AUTOMOTIVE AND POWER ENGINEERING
AUTO TRACTOR II ASS 1

AINEBYONA DENIS 20/U/APE/7521/PE

TUSIIME RICHMAN PETER 20/U/APE/7523/PE

NAHWERA IVAN 20/U/APD/7495/PD

BWENGYE LABAN 20/U/APE/11779/PE

 1. Functions of tires.
Traction:
Tires provide grip on the road, allowing your vehicle to accelerate, brake, and steer
effectively.
Load Support:
They support the weight of the vehicle and its occupants.
Shock Absorption:
Tires absorb shocks from the road, ensuring a smoother ride.
Steering Response:
Tires play a crucial role in how your vehicle responds to steering inputs.
2. Diagram and Parts of a Tire:

Beads

Tire beads hold the tire to the rim, or the outer edge of the wheel. They’re made of copper, brass,
or bronze-plated high tensile steel wires wound into a rubber band. Tire beads prevent the tire from
sliding out of place when the wheel rolls.

Bead Filler

Bead filler is a rubber compound inside the tire’s beads. It provides stability to the lower sidewall
and bead area. The density and stiffness of a tire’s bead filler help to determine a tire’s performance
characteristics.
Radial Cord Body

The cord body gives the tire strength and transmits cornering forces from the tread to the wheel.
Rubber coated fabric cord, called body plies, make up the cord body. Body plies can be made of
polyester, rayon, or nylon. Polyester is most commonly used.

Inner Liner

The inner liner is a rubber compound bonded to the inside of the cord body that retains air under
pressure. It has no cord reinforcement, and it functions like an inner tube.

Belt Plies

Belt plies are two or more strong layers of cord just under the tread area of the tire. The primary
function of belt plies is to provide strength and stability to the tire tread. They play a role in
improving tire mileage, impact resistance, and traction. Steel is the most common cord material
used in belt plies.

Sidewall

The area of a tire from the bead to the tread is called the sidewall. It forms a protective covering
for the cord body. Sidewall rubber compounds are designed to resist damage from ozone, cuts, and
snags.

Tread

The tread is the portion of the tire that comes in contact with the road surface. The tread's
compound and its design have to balance wear, traction, handling, fuel economy, resistance, and
other characteristics of the tire.

3. Tire Pressure and Temperature:

Tire pressure increases as the temperature rises and decreases as it falls. Generally, for every
10°F (5.6°C) change in temperature, tire pressure can change by about 1 psi.
4. Not Recommended to Let Air Out of a Hot Tire:
It's not recommended because hot tires have already expanded due to the heat generated while
driving. If you release air when the tire is hot, it can lead to underinflation when the tire cools
down, affecting vehicle handling and safety.
5. Sidewall Markings:
Tire Size (e.g., 205/55 R16 91V):

205. Tyre width in millimetres as measured from sidewall to sidewall.

55R. Aspect ratio of the tyre’s cross-section to its width, expressed as a percentage. An aspect
ratio of 55, for example, indicates that the tyre’s height is 55% of its width.

R. Radial construction

16.Rim diameter in inches.

91. Tyre’s load index.This relates to its maximum carrying capacity (in kg).

V. Speed rating which is the maximum speed for a tyre when it is correctly inflated and being used
under load. The speed rating is the letter at the end of the sidewall, after the load index number.

DOT Number: Shows the tire's manufacturer, plant, and production date.
6. Effects of Under/Over Inflation:
Under inflation:

With an increased contact patch on the road surface, the vehicle's ability to grip the surface will be
comprised.

The driver may find it difficult to steer the vehicle, and this could lead to instability and unexpected
handling.

An underinflated tyre will generate more heat than usual which will cause increased wear and tear
as well as the risk of a blowout.

Under-inflated tyre's fuel consumption will be higher due to the increased rolling resistance which
results in poor performance.

The vehicle might find it difficult to achieve top speed with tyres that are underinflated.

Over inflation:
Overinflation reduces the traction and surface contact with the road, which cause instability and
loss of vehicle control, especially on slippery surfaces.

The car will also respond poorly to steering inputs and may not react as the driver intends.

Over-inflated tyres stresses sidewalls which results in a harsh and bumpy ride. This puts stress on
suspension and wheelss, leading to increased wear and tear, possibly even premature failure of
components.

Overinflated tyres are also prone to tyre blowouts or sudden failure at high speeds which can be a
safety risk.

Fuel efficiency will decline over time as tyre struggle to maintain proper grip, with the driver
tending to accelerate and brake more aggressively.

Overinflated tyres will wear out sooner than because of an uneven contact patch with the road.

7. Factors for Purchasing Tires:

Tire Size:
Match the size recommended in your vehicle's manual.
Seasonal Needs:
Consider all-season, summer, or winter tires.
Tread Pattern:
Choose based on your driving conditions.
Budget:
Balance quality and cost.
8. Proper Tire Inflation:
Check the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure (found in the owner's manual or on a
sticker in the door jamb) and use a tire pressure gauge to measure it.
 9. Three Problems with Tires:
Wear and Tear:
Tires gradually wear down over time. The tread depth has reached the ttread wear index mark, thus
the tyre is not safe.
Punctures:
Nails, glass, and debris can cause flats, deflating the tyre and can cause the rim to ride on the tyre
tread or on the ground potentially resulting into loss of control and damage.
Blowouts:
Overloading, underinflation, or damage can lead to sudden tire failures.
10. Importance of Correct Tire Pressure:
Safety:
Proper tire pressure ensures optimized grip and handling.
Efficiency:
Proper tire pressure ensures better fuel economy.
Durability:
Proper tire pressure ensures prolongs tire life.
Comfort:
Proper tire pressure ensures smoother ride