Formula for calculating tire rotation speed.

For this example we will use a P 205/65 15 tire. The first set of numbers is the tread width in millimeters. (205) The second set of numbers is the sidewall height in relation to tire width. (65) In order to calculate rotation speed, we first need to calculate tire circumference. Start by calculating the sidewall height for one sidewall. Do this by multiplying sidewall ratio times tire width. In this example it would look like this; 205 x .65= 133.25mm. This is the height of one sidewall, but there are two of them in the circumference so multiply that number by 2. 133.25 x 2 = 266.5 Now we need to convert that number from mm to inches, do this by dividing by 25.4 266.5 / 25.4 = 10.492 inches. Now add in the diameter of the rim. 10.492 + 15 =25.492 This is the diameter of the tire in inches. Now to get the circumference the formula is PI *D pi = 3.14159265 3.14 x 25.49 = 80.03 The circumference of the tire is 80.03 inches. This represents how far the tire will roll in one revolution. Now we need to know how many inches in a mile. There are 5,280 feet in a mile xs 12 inches = 63,360 inches in a mile. Divide 63,360 by the tire circumference (80.03) 63,360 / 80.03 = 791.7 tire revolutions per mile or revolutions per minute @ 60 mph. Covert this number into Hertz by dividing by 60 791.7 /60 = 13.195 hz So this means if a car has an unbalanced tire at 60 mph, a vibration measuring device would read 13.195 hz at 60 mph. So what if the vibration was at 75 mph? Then find out what a one mph hz reading will be. 13.195 hz / 60 = 0.2199 hz. Then multiply that times the actual mph reading. 0.2199 x 75 = 16.49 hz . An unbalanced tire size P205/65 15 will produce a 16.49hz vibration at 75 mph. To figure driveline vibrations; multiply tire rpms times the axle ratio. A car with P205/65 15 tires and an axle ratio of 2.78 to 1 traveling 60 mph will produce a 36.6hz vibration if the driveline is unbalanced. 791.7 x 2.78 = 2200.9 / 60 = 36.6 The engine ( flywheel/torque converter, pressure plate, crankshaft vibrations) rotational speeds can be calculated using these formulas of by use of a tachometer. The rotational speed is dependant of the gear ratio of the gear you are currently traveling in. If in overdrive and the ratio is .75:1, then the engine speed in this example will be 1650 rpm.

Bill

Digitally signed by Bill DN: cn=Bill, o=TEXAS AUTOMOTIVE CAREERS, ou=Kibbe, email=BKIBBE@SUDDENLINK.NET, c=US Date: 2007.08.07 17:10:54 -05'00'