Re: [Phys-l] Real Tire Data

["Michael Edmiston" <edmiston@bluffton.edu>]

In response to Chuck Britton...

Yes.  I mentioned the lower-profile tires in an earlier post, but John D. 
said these only appear on sport cars.  I don't believe he is correct.  These 
are appearing everywhere.

I own a 2000 Honda Accord LX that my daughter now drives; a 2002 Honda 
Accord EX-V6 that my son now drives; and a 2004 Honda Accord EXL that I 
drive.  The 2000 and 2002 have pretty much standard profile tires.  The 2004 
has a lower profile tire; not as drastic as a Porsche or similar sport cars, 
but considerably different than standard tires in 2004.

I wasn't even going to test drive this car at the time (it was $2000 more 
than the LX I was looking at), but the salesman said I should at least drive 
it around the block.  He stated the same things Chuck said.  He said 
something like, "Starting with the 2004 Accord EXL, Honda has switched to a 
lower profile tire to increase handling.  In addition, the whole suspension 
was totally redesigned to compliment the increased handling ability and also 
maintain a smooth ride with the lower-profile tires.  It also has a new 
4-cylinder engine with a new 5-speed transmission and this outperforms your 
2002 6-cylinder 4-speed."

Based on that, I said, "Okay, I'll give it a spin."  Wow!  I had been 
driving an Accord everyday for 4 years, and this new 2004 design was 
completely different.  Completely different!  I don't consider it a sport 
car, and it wasn't as expensive as the 2002 with the V6 engine, but I 
thought I was driving a sport car.  About four years later I am still amazed 
at the quick handling of this car.  It corners amazingly well.

BTW, I don't own Honda stock.  But there is a large Honda plant about 30 
miles from where I live, so Honda adds a lot to the economy here and a lot 
of my students are being supported by a parent or two working at Honda. 
More important, the local dealer is very reputable and stands behind the 
cars.

Michael D. Edmiston, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry and Physics
Bluffton University
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817
419.358.3270
edmiston@bluffton.edu


----- Original Message -----
From: "chuck britton" <cvbritton@embarqmail.com>
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 5:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Real Tire Data

> People who notice such things will realize that the 'aspect' of
> modern tires is shifting away from the tires of yesteryear.
>
> A GoodYear Guru tells me that this is for economy (of driving) rather
> than 'just' style.
> Sidewall flexing is a significant energy lose.
> The 'thin' tires gives a rougher ride - but modern suspensions can
> smooth it out cheaper than taller sidewalls could.