Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
& Glossary of tire terminology
. Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power seats, radio,
and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-installed equipment (whether installed or not).
. Bead
The part of the tire that is made of
steel wires, wrapped or reinforced
by ply cords and that is shaped to fit
the rim.
. Bead separation
A breakdown of the bond between
components in the bead.
. Bias ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are
laid at alternate angles substantially
less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.
. Carcass
The tire structure, except tread and
sidewall rubber which, when inflated, bears the load.
. Chunking
The breaking away of pieces of the
tread or sidewall.
13-7
. Extra load tire
A tire designed to operate at higher
loads and higher inflation pressure
than the corresponding standard
tire.
. Cold tire pressure
. Groove
The pressure in a tire that has been
driven less than 1 mile or has been
standing for three hours or more.
. Innerliner
. Cord
The strands forming the plies in the
tire.
. Cord separation
The parting of cords from adjacent
rubber compounds.
. Cracking
Any parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner liner of the tire
extending to cord material.
. Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight
optional engine.
The space between two adjacent
tread ribs.
The layer(s) forming the inside surface of a tubeless tire that contains
the inflating medium with