SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING DEFLATED TIRE HANDLING

A subjective test method for characterizing the deflated handling performance of self-supporting tires includes the steps of positioning tires on selected wheels of a test vehicle and then subjecting the tire—test vehicle combination to a plurality of different driving maneuvers such that a variety of testing objectives can be evaluated. Exemplary driving maneuvers are representative of a vehicle's operation in steady state, transient state, throttle lift-off, and/or emergency driving situations. Testing objectives that are obtained in accordance with each test maneuver may include both objective criteria that may be obtained via vehicle instrumentation and subjective criteria that may be assigned grade ratings by a test driver. Uniformity of testing maneuvers and driver solicitation is preferred to minimize dispersion in test results. A standardized reporting grid is also provided in accordance with the disclosed technology such that the results of the testing objectives may be properly documented. Selected test data are then used to provide performance ratings for tire acceptability levels. Some performance ratings are automatically calculated through an established algorithm, and all ratings are preferably provided on a common rating scale.