The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

Re: Tire Friction Coefficient

Gary Preston ([email protected])
Tue, 12 Jan 1999 12:36:59 -0500 (EST)

The width of tire does not in and of itself increase the traction. The special tire composition is what, in great part, causes the increased traction. This increased softness combined with the weight over the drive axle, wings to push the vehicle to the ground, and gearing of the differential and transmission all go to the increase in coefficient of friction. The wider the drive tire the more surface area there is to grip with. Our agency has a dragstrip in our jurisdiction, and as a result of fatal accidents, I have had to walk the strip. I can attest first hand as to how tacky the rubber on the drive wheels are. This tackiness is increased as the tires are heated up. That would be the impressive smoke billowing burnouts performed just prior to a race. With similar horse power channeled through convetional tires, the harder car tires would spin and not grip the track surface. Not that I would ever spin tires on a conventional vehicle, that would be contrary to policy.
Gary Preston
[email protected]

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