Tire, wheel, and wheel bearing fundamentals

The two basic functions of tires are to act as cushions between the road and the metal wheels and to _____ with the road surface.

• provide sufficient traction

• restrict cornering ability

• produce a magnetic bond

• create limited, or partial, footprints

True or False? Today’s automotive tires are classified as pneumatic and tubeless.

• True

• False

Which of the following does NOT typically reduce the rolling resistance of an automotive tire?

• A relatively low vehicle weight.

• Increasing tire inflation pressure.

• Installing a tire with a relatively larger diameter and greater tread depth.

• Accurate and efficient tire design.

Tire markings on the _____ of a tire give information about the tire, such as tire size, tire model, manufacturer, and inflation pressure.

• tread

• valve stem

• interior liner

• sidewall

True or False? All passenger car, SUV, and light truck tires have a maximum recommended inflation pressure of 25–30 psi.

• True

• False

If a tire has the DOT code DOT CXAH EVD0612, when was the tire manufactured?

• 6th month of 2012

• 12th week of 2006

• 6th week of 2012

• 6th day 2012

Which of the following statements about directional tires is not true?

• Feature an arrow and the word rotation on their sidewalls.

• Require a recommended inflation pressure of 15–18 psi (104–124 kPa) to widen their footprints.

• Use a tread pattern that minimizes hydroplaning when rotating in a certain direction.

• Feature an arrow that, when rotated to the top of the tire, must face the front of the vehicle.

A(n) _____ is threaded into the valve stem to allow air to be added to the tire when an air chuck is placed over the valve stem.

• lug nut

• inner bearing race

• rivet

• valve core

_____ are attached to the wheel rim to balance a relatively heavy section of the wheel and tire assembly, preventing vibration.

• Plastic clips

• Wheel weights

• Additional valve stems

• Wheel bearings

Technician A says an automotive tire’s beads are used to stiffen the tire treads. Technician B says an automotive tire’s beads are used to hold the tire’s sidewalls against the wheel rim. Who is right?

• A only

• B only

• Both A and B

• Neither technician is correct