ASTM F559-05(2017)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring Length of Road Test Courses Using a Fifth Wheel
Standard Test Method for Measuring Length of Road Test Courses Using a Fifth Wheel
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Maps, automobile odometers, and highway and distance markers are not sufficiently accurate to describe the length of a route for tire testing purposes. The proposed procedure describes a test method for measuring the length of a road course with sufficient accuracy for tire testing purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the accurate length measurement of road courses used for testing all types of pneumatic tires on various associated vehicles.
1.2 This test method is intended for use on public highways or closed circuit test courses, or both, that cannot be measured practically by surveying techniques.
1.3 Use of this test method requires that the surface of the test course to be measured shall be sufficiently smooth to preclude bounce or hop of the fifth wheel, which will affect the accuracy of the measurement. The normal highway surface is adequate for this test method.
1.4 It is not the intent or scope of this test method to encompass distance measurements of test courses whose surfaces are irregular, broken up, jagged, and so forth, such as rock courses, Belgian block, “rumble” surfaces, and the like. Snow- and ice-covered surfaces also are excluded.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Apr-2017
- Technical Committee
- F09 - Tires
- Drafting Committee
- F09.10 - Equipment, Facilities and Calibration
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2010
- Effective Date
- 15-Jun-2009
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2004
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2003
- Effective Date
- 10-May-2000
- Effective Date
- 10-Sep-1999
- Effective Date
- 10-Apr-1999
Overview
ASTM F559-05(2017): Standard Test Method for Measuring Length of Road Test Courses Using a Fifth Wheel provides a standardized procedure for accurately determining the length of road test courses used in pneumatic tire testing for automotive and other vehicles. This test method addresses the limitations of maps, odometers, and highway markers, which may not provide the precision required for tire testing applications. Instead, the procedure relies on the use of a calibrated fifth wheel device to ensure reliable, repeatable, and precise distance measurements on suitable road surfaces.
Key Topics
- Precision Road Course Measurement: The standard outlines how to use a fifth wheel with a calibrated distance counter, ensuring measurements meet the necessary accuracy standards for tire performance evaluations.
- Suitable Test Courses: The method applies to public highways and closed circuits that are sufficiently smooth, excluding irregular, broken, or snow- and ice-covered surfaces.
- Reliability and Consistency: Procedures are provided to mitigate sources of error, such as wheel bounce and vehicle ignition interference, ensuring consistent measurements across multiple trials.
- Measurement Units: All measurements are reported in SI units, with secondary values in parentheses for reference purposes.
- Safety and Compliance: The standard emphasizes the user’s responsibility to address safety and regulatory considerations specific to their testing environment.
Applications
The main application of ASTM F559-05(2017) is in the tire industry for performance and durability testing. Accurate measurement of road course length is critical for:
- Tire Wear Testing: Ensures that treadwear evaluations accurately reflect distance traveled, supporting fair comparisons between tires.
- Research and Development: Provides consistent data for engineering teams developing new tire technologies.
- Quality Control: Verifies the test course length during routine product evaluation, reinforcing the credibility of the testing process.
- Third-Party and Comparative Testing: Used by independent testing organizations to provide comparable results across different locations or vehicles.
This standard is especially valuable when surveying techniques are impractical or when high precision is needed under controlled test course conditions.
Related Standards
Several ASTM standards are referenced or associated with ASTM F559-05(2017):
- ASTM F457 - Test Method for Speed and Distance Calibration of Fifth Wheel Equipped With Either Analog or Digital Instrumentation: Specifies calibration requirements for fifth wheels used in length measurement.
- ASTM F538 - Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires: Provides definitions and terminology used within tire testing standards.
- ASTM F1082 (Withdrawn) - Practice for Tires-Determining Precision for Test Method Standards: Previously provided guidance on reporting test precision.
Adherence to these standards ensures consistency and reliability in tire performance assessment across the industry.
By implementing ASTM F559-05(2017), organizations can significantly improve the accuracy of their road course measurements, which directly impacts the validity of tire wear and performance test data. This standard is essential for manufacturers, test laboratories, and research bodies seeking reliable, repeatable distance measurements in tire testing applications. For further information or to obtain a copy of this standard, visit the ASTM International website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM F559-05(2017) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Measuring Length of Road Test Courses Using a Fifth Wheel". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 Maps, automobile odometers, and highway and distance markers are not sufficiently accurate to describe the length of a route for tire testing purposes. The proposed procedure describes a test method for measuring the length of a road course with sufficient accuracy for tire testing purposes. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the determination of the accurate length measurement of road courses used for testing all types of pneumatic tires on various associated vehicles. 1.2 This test method is intended for use on public highways or closed circuit test courses, or both, that cannot be measured practically by surveying techniques. 1.3 Use of this test method requires that the surface of the test course to be measured shall be sufficiently smooth to preclude bounce or hop of the fifth wheel, which will affect the accuracy of the measurement. The normal highway surface is adequate for this test method. 1.4 It is not the intent or scope of this test method to encompass distance measurements of test courses whose surfaces are irregular, broken up, jagged, and so forth, such as rock courses, Belgian block, “rumble” surfaces, and the like. Snow- and ice-covered surfaces also are excluded. 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 Maps, automobile odometers, and highway and distance markers are not sufficiently accurate to describe the length of a route for tire testing purposes. The proposed procedure describes a test method for measuring the length of a road course with sufficient accuracy for tire testing purposes. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the determination of the accurate length measurement of road courses used for testing all types of pneumatic tires on various associated vehicles. 1.2 This test method is intended for use on public highways or closed circuit test courses, or both, that cannot be measured practically by surveying techniques. 1.3 Use of this test method requires that the surface of the test course to be measured shall be sufficiently smooth to preclude bounce or hop of the fifth wheel, which will affect the accuracy of the measurement. The normal highway surface is adequate for this test method. 1.4 It is not the intent or scope of this test method to encompass distance measurements of test courses whose surfaces are irregular, broken up, jagged, and so forth, such as rock courses, Belgian block, “rumble” surfaces, and the like. Snow- and ice-covered surfaces also are excluded. 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM F559-05(2017) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 43.180 - Diagnostic, maintenance and test equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM F559-05(2017) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM F559-05(2010), ASTM F457-04(2017), ASTM F457-04(2010), ASTM F538-09, ASTM F457-04, ASTM F538-03, ASTM F1082-00(2000), ASTM F457-94(1999), ASTM F538-99. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM F559-05(2017) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F559 − 05 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Length of Road Test Courses Using a Fifth
Wheel
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF559;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the accu-
F457Test Method for Speed and Distance Calibration of
rate length measurement of road courses used for testing all
Fifth Wheel Equipped With Either Analog or Digital
types of pneumatic tires on various associated vehicles.
Instrumentation
1.2 This test method is intended for use on public highways
F538Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Per-
or closed circuit test courses, or both, that cannot be measured
formance of Tires
practically by surveying techniques. F1082Practice for Tires—Determining Precision for Test
Method Standards (Withdrawn 2005)
1.3 Use of this test method requires that the surface of the
test course to be measured shall be sufficiently smooth to
3. Terminology
precludebounceorhopofthefifthwheel,whichwillaffectthe
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology F538 for terminology
accuracy of the measurement. The normal highway surface is
used in this test method.
adequate for this test method.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.4 It is not the intent or scope of this test method to
encompass distance measurements of test courses whose sur- 4.1 This test method includes the use of a fifth wheel of
known accuracy, incorporating a distance counter that is
faces are irregular, broken up, jagged, and so forth, such as
attached to the test vehicle and used to measure distances
rock courses, Belgian block, “rumble” surfaces, and the like.
traveled by that vehicle.
Snow- and ice-covered surfaces also are excluded.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
5. Significance and Use
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
5.1 Maps,automobileodometers,andhighwayanddistance
only.
markers are not sufficiently accurate to describe the length of a
route for tire testing purposes. The proposed procedure de-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
scribes a test method for measuring the length of a road course
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
with sufficient accuracy for tire testing purposes.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
6. Apparatus
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6.1 Fifth Wheel—The fifth wheel shall meet the require-
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
ments of Test Method F457 and shall incorporate an odometer
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ordistancecountercapableofaccumulatingthedistanceofthe
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
coursetobemeasured.Preferably,thedistancecounterreadout
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
will be in units of 1 m (3.28 ft) or a minimum of 0.25
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
revolution of the fifth wheel. In any case, the distance readout
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
shall meet the requirements of Test Method F457.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F09 on Tires For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F09.10 on Equipment, Facilities contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and Calibration. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2017.PublishedJuly2017.Originallyapproved the ASTM website.
in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F559–05 (2010). DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/F0559-05R17. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F559 − 05 (2017)
7. Procedure measured the length of three separate 1-mile (1609.3-m)
courses, each course being in its respective locality. Each
7.1 Attachthefifthwheeltotherearofthevehicleatapoint
testing organization made six replicate measurements of its
not in line with the vehicle wheelpath but midway between the
respective 1-mile course.
vehicle wheelpaths.
9.2 Table 1 gives the results of the measurement. The
7.2 Adjust the fifth wheel tire inflation pressure to the
pooled or overall standard deviation is 0.11 m (0.35 ft). Bias
manufacturer’s specification.
(expressed as the difference of measured distance in ft—
7.3 Warmupthefifthwheelbyrunningaminimu
...
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