Tire Rolling Loss Measurement

Testing the rolling resistance of automotive tires is crucial for optimizing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and ensuring safety. Lower rolling resistance decreases energy loss, enhancing vehicle performance and sustainability. It also affects tire wear and grip, influencing overall driving safety. Manufacturers, independent laboratories, and regulatory bodies conduct these tests to meet industry standards, comply with environmental regulations, and provide consumers with accurate performance data. This ensures quality, efficiency, and adherence to safety guidelines.

Test Methods
Global standards for tire rolling resistance testing ensure consistency, accuracy, and comparability across manufacturers and markets. Key standards include the ISO 28580 (International), UNECE R117 (Europe), SAE J1269/J2452 (U.S.), and JIS D4234 (Japan). These standards define procedures, equipment, and conditions for measuring rolling resistance, often specifying force or torque methods.

Test methods typically involve measuring the energy loss as a tire rolls under controlled conditions. The force method calculates rolling resistance from the horizontal force exerted on a loaded tire against a rotating drum. The torque method derives resistance from the torque needed to maintain drum rotation. Standards prescribe parameters like tire inflation, load, temperature, and speed to ensure repeatability. These harmonized approaches support regulatory compliance, product labeling, and innovation in tire design for energy efficiency.

Test Results
Tire rolling resistance test data is used by manufacturers to design fuel-efficient, durable, and safe tires. Automotive companies leverage the data to optimize vehicle performance and meet fuel economy standards. Independent testing organizations use it to verify compliance with regulations, support eco-labeling, and provide consumers with accurate information for informed purchasing decisions.

MTS Product Solutions
The MTS Tire Rolling Resistance Measurement solution offers precise and repeatable assessments of tire rolling resistance, essential for evaluating vehicle energy efficiency. It supports both force and torque measurement methods, providing flexibility to meet various testing requirements. Tight machine and build tolerances and system-level calibration ensure the accuracy and repeatability of measurements to meet custom needs and test to ISO and SAE standards. Additionally, the system's versatile software allows for easy adaptation to both standard and custom test procedures, ensuring compliance with ISO 28580, ISO 18164, SAE J1269, and SAE J2452 standards.

• MTS Tire Rolling Resistance Measurement Systems feature a two-station configuration that enables users to measure the rolling loss of passenger car tires, light truck tires and commercial truck tires with up to 60 kN of radial load imposed. The latest version of this system features linear electric actuators and an electric rotary drive to impose slip and inclination angles into rolling resistance measurements. This all-electric solution requires no hydraulic power generation, distribution or cooling infrastructure, greatly simplifying maintenance and facilities requirements.
• FlexTest Controllers deliver high-speed closed-loop control, function generation, transducer conditioning and data acquisition. Advanced compensation tools in FlexTest (793) software, such as Degree-of-Freedom Control, Three-Variable Control, Amplitude Phase Control, and Adaptive Harmonic Cancelation enable the highest levels of test system controllability and fidelity. 
• Series 295 Isolation Hydraulic Service Manifolds (ISHM) & MTS SafeGuard™ Technology increase predictable control of the hydraulic system and implement advanced safety features in accordance with ISO 13849 to meet regional safety performance levels (PLc, PLd, PLe).
• SilentFlo™ Hydraulic Power Units (HPU) feature state-of-the-art motors and cooling circuits to generate highly reliable and energy efficient hydraulic power. SilentFlo HPUs are easy to operate and maintain with fewer parts, accessible controls, and improved filtration.

Here is a list of global tire rolling resistance testing standards, including ISO and SAE standards:

• ISO 28580 – International: This standard specifies the method for measuring rolling resistance of passenger and light truck tires using a specified test apparatus and conditions. It defines the procedure for testing tire rolling resistance and ensures consistency across testing environments.
• ISO 18164 – International: This standard outlines a method for measuring the rolling resistance of truck and bus tires, specifying the test conditions and procedures. It is used for commercial vehicles to assess tire efficiency.
• SAE J1269 – United States: This SAE recommended practice outlines the measurement of the rolling resistance of light vehicle tires using a test apparatus that simulates real-world driving conditions, providing consistent and comparable results.
• SAE J2452 – United States: This SAE standard prescribes a method for determining the rolling resistance of tires using a specified test procedure and equipment, commonly used for both passenger and light truck tires.

These standards ensure consistency and accuracy in rolling resistance testing across various regions, vehicle types, and tire categories, promoting the development of energy-efficient tires and regulatory compliance for manufacturers.