A :
ABS : ABS is a technology allowing the wheels from locking when the vehicle brakes suddenly and intensely on roads with a reduced level of grip (icy road, rain, gravel). With this system, the tires prevent sliding on the bitumen.
Aging of tires: even if the tire is not used it ages (heat, cold, humidity …) it is characterized by the appearance of cracking or deformation of the carcass. We must therefore change his tires.
Alphanumeric : This is a code molded, located on the sides of your tires and that allows you to learn about the specifities of the tire, such as the characteristics and dimensions.
Aquaplaning : Aquaplaning is a phenomenon that takes place when the tires of your car or your bike has a loss of grip. Indeed, a film of water comes between your tires and the road surface and it can cause loss of control.
Aspect ratio: ratio between the height and the width of the sidewalls of the tire.
B :
Bead: a bead is a “bump” that protects the rims shock any sidewalks.
Belt: part of the structure that gives the tire rigidity Service Code: Set of numbers and letters on the sides to designate the load indices and speed
BLT (Raised Black Lettering) Lettering type that can be found on the tire sidewall. The lettering is in black letters and is slightly elevated.
C :
Calendering: calendering is in the tubeless tires which serves to retain the air inside the tire.
Carbon Black: used as a pigment that gives color to black tire
Certification: recognition of quality by an organization
Contact area: shows the tread in contact with the road.
Circulation: deviation induced misalignment
D :
Deflection: Tire deformation phenomenon due to a high speed.
DOT: indicates the date of manufacture of the tire
Dynamics balancing: status of balance measured in motion
E :
Empattement : l’empattement est l’espace entre les essieux du véhicule
G :
Geometry adjustment within Rubber wheel axles: ensures sealing air in the tire.
Grip : Gripis characterized by the contact of the surface of the road and your tires. It is important to adapt the type of your tires to optimize this setting to avoid your vehicle to lose control.
Grooves: cuts that allow a better grip
H :
Heel: technical element that links the carcass to the rim to prevent loss of air.
High Performance Tire: tire that enable superior adhesion to standard tires, specially designed for sporty driving
Hub: central part of the wheel through which an axle
I :
Imprint: the imprint is the design of the tire
J :
JLB: the jointless band is a technology that reduces distortion at high speed
L :
Load capacity: characterized by IC (load index) carrying capacity is the maximum load that a tire can support.
Load Index: numerical code corresponding to the maximum weight a tire can carry
LR: low rolling resistance, which means low rolling resistance
LT metric: light truck, indicates that the tire is suitable for light truck
M :
Marbling: mark that appears on the tire during underinflation
M + S, M / S, M & S “mud and snow” indicates the tire is suitable for driving in snowy or muddy environment
N :
Not suspended weight: Weight wheels, tires, rear axle, steering instruments and some suspension parts.
O :
Oversizing: oversizing is an option to put a larger tire larger than that expected to get a better grip.
Contact surface: print or tread, this is where the tire and the road surface are in contact
Over inflation: too much tire pressure
P :
Pairing: the act of mounting the same tires on the left and right side
Parallelism element that sets the geometry of the rolling trains. This process is used to ensure that the tires are parallel
4 seasons tire: tire that delivers uniform performance on wet, snowy in summer or winter.
Pressure: kilo in pascals or bars, pressure indicates the tire inflation level
Profile: pattern on the tread compound of ribs, grooves, sipes and the blocks.
R :
Radial tire: tire with layers arranged such that the cables of the structure rotate 90 °.
Rod: ring composed of metal wire which serves to hold the tire on the rim.
Rim: piece that covers the outer portion of a wheel
RF or RFD or reinforced tire: reinforced tires can withstand a higher load with standard tires.
Retreading: process which consists of tire repair it
Rolling resistance: the higher the rolling resistance is low car consumes less energy
RPM: revolutions per minute, varies with respect to speed, load and inflation pressure
Run Flat “run flat” is a technology that when the tire is punctured to ride for a while.
S :
Sculpture: tire footprint
Section width: portion of the tread in contact with road
Section: Section is the width of the tire
Series: it’s all the same size tires
Sidewall: the tire sidewall is the side where there are all technical annotations
Speed Index: numerical code indicating the maximum speed a tire can go
Shoulder: place of junction between the sidewall and the top of the tire
Slats: localized part of the tread that improves grip and traction in wet road traffic
Static balancing: the equilibrium status measured in the absence of balancing
Structure: diagonal, crossed, or radial that is now the norm, the structure is the set of son that make up the carcass.
Summit: The summit is the center of the tread
Summer tire : suitable tires for the summer season
Suspended weight: weight that springs support
SUV: American term for 4×4
T :
Table: component of the tire structure, the sheet is covered in rubber and reinforced by cables
Tablecloths-summit : maintains the tire diameter
Tread: The tread area of the tire which is in directly in contact with the road. It allows the tire to ensure the guiding of the vehicle and traction. Its characteristics (depth sculptures, amount of strips, design) depend on the type and model of tire.
Thermal rubber: it is a gum that does not harden in cold and team therefore winter tires
Tourism tire: tire for passenger cars
Tube type (TT) tires fitted with a tube
Tubeless (TL): tubeless tire
U :
UTQG Coast : ranking quality tire that provides three essential elements such as treadwear, traction and temperature.
Under inflation: lower than recommended inflation
Unsprung weight: Weight wheels, tires, rear axle, steering instruments and some suspension parts.
V :
Valve: The valve is the place to which the tire is inflated
Vein: drive off the water and prevents aquaplaning
W :
Wear: – Abnormal wear: Warning improper wheel balancing – sawtooth wear shoulder: shows a parallel problem – Wear located in the center of the tread: it means that the tire is on inflation – Wear “round “or under-inflation can overload.
Wear indicator (TWI) marking indicating tire wear
Wheelbase: the wheelbase is the space between the axles of the vehicle
Winter Tire : tire suitable for winter and travel on snowy roads, wet or icy.