Abstract

Methodology is described for the indoor simulation of tire wear. The motivation for developing indoor simulations was the need to establish consistent test results in reduced time and costs. Descriptions are given of two different indoor test facilities, a PC‐based laser scanning system for quantifying tire wear and an on‐vehicle tire force measurement system for replicating road histories in the laboratory. Case studies illustrate (1) the influence of tire load history on wear, in particular city cornering versus highway driving and drive torque versus free rolling, (2) the influence of a 3 m road wheel versus a fiat belt on wear, and (3) detailed comparisons between vehicle‐tested and indoor‐tested tires. Results indicate good correlation between indoor and fleet testing.