Primary function of tyres on road vehicles What is the basic purpose of tyres in an automotive suspension and wheel system?

Introduction / Context:
Tyres are the only contact between a vehicle and the road. Their design affects safety, handling, braking, acceleration, comfort, and fuel economy. The core role must be clearly understood before discussing secondary effects such as compliance and noise isolation.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Pneumatic tyre mounted on an appropriate rim.
• Vehicle uses a separate brake system and a separate spring and damper system.
• Normal paved road conditions.

Concept / Approach:
The tyre provides frictional grip through the interaction of rubber compound, tread design, inflation pressure, and road texture. This grip enables traction forces for acceleration, braking, and cornering. While tyres offer some compliance that contributes to ride comfort, they do not replace springs or the brake system.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the tyre as the element that transmits forces to and from the road via contact patches.Relate grip to vehicle control: without traction, steering, braking, and acceleration are not possible.Differentiate roles: springs store energy and support weight; brakes convert kinetic energy to heat; tyres supply the friction interface.

Verification / Alternative check:
Stopping distance, skid pad results, and traction control operation all demonstrate that available grip from tyres determines vehicle performance limits more than power or brake size alone.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Tyres are not substitutes for springs; while they flex, ride control requires dedicated springs and dampers. Tyres are not the braking mechanism; they merely transmit brake forces generated by the hydraulic system to the road.

Common Pitfalls:
Overinflation or underinflation reduces traction and unevenly wears tread, compromising the tyre’s primary purpose. Assuming any tread pattern works in all conditions is also incorrect.

Final Answer:
grip the road and provide good traction