SSANGYONG Rodius 2012.07 Manual page 652

12-4
1. OVERVIEW
A radial tire uses a cord angle of 90 degrees. That is, the cord material runs in a radial or direct
line from one bead to the other across the tread. In addition, a radial tire has a belt overwrap
under the tread surface to provide greater structural stability. The belt overwrap of a radial tire
distortion while the radial structure enables high speed driving.
Tire supports the weight of the vehicle, reduces the impact from the road and at the same time,
transmits the power to propel, brake and steer on the road. It also functions to maintain a
vehicle's movement. In order to complete such tasks, a tire must be structured to be a resilient
vessel of air.
There is wear limit mark on the tire, which protrudes as a strip shape located approximately 1.6
mm from the groove bottom. This wear limit mark is not seen from the outside so there is
additional "▲" mark on the shoulder to let the driver find the wear mark easily. To measure the tire
groove depth, measure at any point other than the point which has a wear limit mark.
The tire is worn unevenly according to the driver's driving habit, improper servicing, low tire
inflation pressure, changed tire location, etc.
1) Structure of Tire
Tread
This thick layer of rubber provides the
interface between the tire and the road.
Wear-resistant rubber is used to protect the
carcass and belt against fractures and
impacts and to deliver a long driving life.
Shoulder
Located between the tread and sidewall, the
shoulder rubber is the thickest so that the
design must allow for the easy diffusion of
heat generated within the tire while driving.
Sidewall
The part between the shoulder and bead, the
flexible sidewall protects the carcass and
enhances the ride. A tire's type, size,
structure, pattern, manufacturing company,
product name and various characters are
indicated here.
Belt
Bead core
Bead
The bead attaches the tire to the rim and
wraps the end of the cord fabric. Comprised
of the bead wire, core, flipper and other parts,
the bead is generally designed to be slightly
tight around the rim so that in the case of a
sudden drop in inflation pressure, the tire will
not fall off the rim.
Carcass
As the most important framework of a tire, the
entire inner layer of cord fabric is called the
carcass. The carcass acts to support air
pressure, vertical load and absorb shocks.
Valve