A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the B5 Audi A4 produced from 1995-2001 B5 FAQ

quick question for all you physics people...

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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 11:00 AM
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Default quick question for all you physics people...

when braking at full force, will a car with bald tires have longer skidmarks than a car with brand new tires given the same speed and conditions? thanks!
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 11:03 AM
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Default Depends on a lot of things I would think but let's assume all things are the same except one has....

.....tread and the other does not. I would think the one that has tread would take longer to stop due to a less contact area(longer skid mark).
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 11:07 AM
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You have left too many variables to come to a conclusion
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 11:08 AM
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Default I agree with Dave, but it depends on stopping distance:

In a short distance, the bald tire will be shorter.

On a very hot day, or stopping from a higher speed, the bald tire will heat up more, and retain its heat, and melt, hence, no traction, and will slide. The tire with tread will stay cool better, as there is airspace between rubber contacting the ground.

In general, the tire with tread will make a longer skid mark, but sometimes it goes the other way, such as above.
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 11:31 AM
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Default technically, the amount of friction from an A4 on bike wheels is the same as from 10" wide tires

so, less contact with the ground shouldn't make your stopping time worse. Generally a tread pattern is a good idea..
a bald tire will only be better on perfect, dry pavement. The tread helps will all less than perfect conditions.
Ever worn the soles of a pair of shoes down? you could stick great to glass or something like that, but if you introduce some saw dust or water, you're screwed.

so.. it depends.. the bald tire would win in perfect conditions (dry.. track) otherwise, the new tire would do better

note, i'm not trying to say you should track your car with bald tires.. that a whole other story.
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 11:46 AM
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Default but balding tires compound has less friction...

even though i has more contact area, but remember, not a whole lot more because at each instance, only a small patch of rubber is touching the ground.

tire compound is what makes the tires stick to the ground, not just because of contact area
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 12:04 PM
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Default Not sure what you're saying, but it does fall under the "other conditions" clause Dave refers to.

If balding tire refers to an aged tire, yes, the rubber will not stick as well as fresh rubber. It's then possible that the bald tire would lay some serious skids vs. the fresh rubber.
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 12:09 PM
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Default

longer skid mark = can't stop.. yes bald tires can't stop
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 12:12 PM
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Default

Is your ABS disabled? I've come to a hard, dead stop from 80 MPH with no skids.
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Old Jul 2, 2001 | 12:25 PM
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Default dude.. skid = tires locked....

one patch of the tire rubber rubbing on the road.

abs makes skid marks that looks like - - - - - -

no abs with tires locks looks like ________
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