Technical Dictionary

C3M Technology™

A manufacturing process that permits precise placement of different tyre components and multiple rubber tread compounds.

Camber

A wheel’s inward or outward tilt from vertical, measured in degrees. The camber angle is adjusted to keep the outside tyres flat on the ground during a turn.

Camber Thrust

Side or lateral force generated when a tyre rolls with camber, which can add to or subtract from the side force a tyre generates.

Carbon Black

This is a reinforcing filler which, when incorporated into the tyre rubber compound, gives it a high resistance to wear.

Carcass

The supporting structure of the tyre consisting of plies anchored to the bead on one side and running in a radius to the other side and anchoring to the bead. Also called casing.

Carcass Ply

Made up of thin textile fiber cables bonded into the rubber. These cables are largely responsible for determining the strength of the tyre.

Carrying Capacity

At a given air pressure, how much weight each tyre is designed to carry. For each tyre size, there is a load inflation table to ensure the inflation pressure used is sufficient for the vehicle axle load.

Caster

The angle between a line drawn vertically through a wheel’s centerline and the axis around which the wheel is steered; improves a car’s directional stability and on-center feel.

Centerline

An imaginary line down the center of the vehicle. Alignment tracking is measured from this line.

Centrifugal Force

The sideways acceleration, measured in g’s, of an object in curvilinear motion. As a car traverses a curve, centrifugal force acts on it and tries to pull it outward. To counteract this, the tyres develop an equal and opposite force acting against the road. Also called lateral force.

Cold Inflation Pressure

The amount of air pressure in a tyre, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) before a tyre has built up heat from driving.

Comfort Control Technology™

Uses precision manufacturing to ensure an ultra-high level of tyre uniformity, while also employing powerful proprietary tread design software to minimized tread acoustics.

Compliance Cushion

An added rubber tyre component between the tread and belt that absorbs road irregularities for a smoother ride.

Contact Patch

The area in which the tyre is in contact with the road surface. Also called footprint.

Cord

The strands of fabric forming the plies or layers of the tyre. Cords may be made from polyester, rayon, nylon, fiberglass or steel.

Cornering Force

The force on a turning vehicle’s tyres - the tyre’s ability to grip and resist side force - that keeps the vehicle on the desired arc.

Cross Z-Sipes Technology

A sipe pattern that provides lateral and longitudinal stiffness within the tread block.

Crown Plies

Provide the rigid base for the tread which allows for good fuel economy. The plies also provide centrifugal and lateral rigidity to the tyre, and are designed to flex sufficiently for a comfortable ride.

Curb Weight

Weight of a production vehicle with fluid reservoirs (including fuel tank) full and all normal equipment in place, but without driver or passengers.