--- title: What is traction coefficient? description: Lets take a look at the physics behind how your tire interacts with the road surface in both ideal and not ideal scenarios! image: https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/North_America/Blog%20Images/Cover%20Picture%20Edited%20to%204x3/_img-192023-edited.jpg --- [![](https://www.onspot.com/imagevault/publishedmedia/ewjmu1x672ip2pj4oovu/Onspot_Logo.png)](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/) - [Why Onspot](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/why-onspot/) - Knowledge - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/overview/) - [Ways to increase traction](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/ways-to-increase-traction/) - [For fleet managers](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-fleet-managers/) - [For drivers](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-drivers/) - [For mechanics](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-mechanics/) - [Rules & regulations](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/rules--regulations/) - [Knowledge centre](https://knowledge.onspot.com/knowledge-centre-for-winter-driving-and-traction) - The product - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/overview/) - [Testimonials](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/testimonials/) - [FAQ](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/faq/) - [Documents, manuals and brochures](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/documents-manuals-brochures/) - [Tech specs](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/tech-specs2/) - [Spare parts](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/spare-parts/) - [Configurator](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/configurator/) - About us - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/about-onspot/overview/) - [History](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/about-onspot/history/) - [News & Press releases](https://intblog.onspot.com/news-press-releases) - Blog - [Blog articles](https://intblog.onspot.com/) - [All about automatic snow chains](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-gb/all-about-automatic-snow-chains) - [Traction aid for heavy vehicles](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-gb/traction-aid-for-heavy-vehicles) - Find us - [For Dealers & Service](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/find-us/for-dealers--service/) - [Events](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/find-us/events/) - [E-Training](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/training/) - [English](https://onspot.com/?s=false) - [Contact us](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/contact-us/) # What is traction coefficient? Written by [Eric Jones](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/eric-jones), December 7, 2017 In a tyre-surface system, the coefficient of friction is called ‘traction coefficient’. It’s as simple as that. But, what’s more important is to know *why* *the traction coefficient is fundamental to road safety – and peace of mind.* In a scientific report, *Analysis Of Tire-road Contact Under Winter Conditions* (ISSN: 2078-0966), K. J. Waluś and Z. Olszewski studied different factors affecting traction – and road safety accordingly. In the report, they deep dive into the molecular world of physics. But, for the not so scientifically minded, here is a brief summary. **Safety relies on a very small spot** Imagine a huge heavy loaded truck rushing on the road. Yet, all the forces and moments responsible for safety, directional stability and vehicle dynamics are generated in quite a small road contact area – the tyre footprint. Furthermore, frictional forces and material qualities involved are crucial for the vehicle behaviour, *especially in changing weather conditions*. Let’s have a look at some of the frictional forces involved. ![Radial+Tire+Footprint+Very+flexible+sidewall+with+a+very+stiff+tread+–+improves+safety,+cornering,+braking,+and+wear..jpg](https://intblog.onspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Radial+Tire+Footprint+Very+flexible+sidewall+with+a+very+stiff+tread+%E2%80%93+improves+safety%2c+cornering%2c+braking%2c+and+wear..jpg?width=689&height=516&name=Radial+Tire+Footprint+Very+flexible+sidewall+with+a+very+stiff+tread+%E2%80%93+improves+safety%2c+cornering%2c+braking%2c+and+wear..jpg) **Friction forces in a tyre-surface system** In a tyre-surface system, friction forces are caused by two main mechanisms – adhesion and hysteresis. ***Adhesion*** Elastic rubber tyres, under the pressure of many tonnes of vehicle load, adhere to the rugged road surface. The rubber actually penetrates into the ruggedness of the road, resulting in a high traction coefficient. However, this is on a *dry* road. When roads are icy this adhesive friction will be considerably reduced, and the driver without traction aid should be quite nervous. ***Hysteresis*** Hysteresis is about the rubber being compressed when in the tyre footprint, and expanding when it leaves the footprint, i.e. it depends on material elasticity. To really simplify, you could say that the forces involved in compressing the rubber differ from those when it’s decompressed again, and this is the primary cause of the tyre’s *rolling resistance*. And yes, also this resisting force is considerably reduced on ice… **Traction coefficient in winter conditions** As you may have guessed, the traction coefficient deteriorates in winter conditions. On icy roads, the friction heat from the tyre melts the ice and a thin layer of water is introduced into the tyre-surface system bringing matters to a head; the adhesion between rubber and asphalt is reduced which impairs the rubber’s ability to ‘capture and grip’ the surface inequality structures. And also, it extends the duration of rubber deformation and thus reduces the hysteresis. This situation is commonly called *slipping* and requires attentive and careful driving. On the other hand, the traction coefficient could be substantially improved by introducing an assistive device into the tyre-surface system. That is exactly what Onspot does! **Conclusion** In the report, Waluś and Olszewski conclude that for road safety, ‘it is necessary to determine the effect of the tyres and used assistive devices such as chains or spikes on the characteristics of vehicle traction in winter conditions.’ Actually, without extensive laboratory research on a molecular level, we already know what effect Onspot has on vehicle traction in winter conditions. Thousands and thousands of drivers together with numerous field tests and reports confirm that Onspot automatic snow chains really do the job. Increasing the traction coefficient and road safety accordingly. Improving safety and convenience for the driver and possibly passengers. Knowing that all this is achievable by just pressing a button should bring peace of mind to any professional truck or bus driver.   [![Learn about different ways to get traction](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1905643/e06f4c2b-aae9-4101-ba4d-7ca2dfd6fbfa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1905643/e06f4c2b-aae9-4101-ba4d-7ca2dfd6fbfa) [Automatic Snow Chains](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-snow-chains) [Engineering](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/engineering) ![Eric Jones](https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/Eric%20Jones.jpg) #### About [Eric Jones](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/eric-jones) Eric is the Global Sales Director for the Onspot brand. He has over 15 years of industry experience and received an MBA from Ball State University. Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and being active outdoors. On the weekend, you can normally find Eric enjoying a craft beer with food sizzling on the grill. ## Comments ### Subscribe to blog updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Automatic Snow Chains (74)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-snow-chains) - [Fleet Managers (53)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-managers) - [Rescue Driving (44)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rescue-driving) - [onspot (43)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/onspot) - [Commercial Drivers (42)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/commercial-drivers) - [Improving Fleet Productivity (37)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-fleet-productivity) - [For Mechanics (35)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/for-mechanics) - [Slippery Roads (31)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/slippery-roads) - [Content for commercial drivers (28)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/content-for-commercial-drivers) - [Improve performance on icy roads (26)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improve-performance-on-icy-roads) - [Truck driver safety (24)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/truck-driver-safety) - [automatic tire chains (21)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-tire-chains) - [Winter equipment (19)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/winter-equipment) - [School bus driving (18)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-driving) - [Traction aid for heavy vehicles (18)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction-aid-for-heavy-vehicles) - [Maintenance (17)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/maintenance) - [Snow chain (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/snow-chain) - [Winter driving tips (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/winter-driving-tips) - [traction (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction) - [Commercial Driver (15)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/commercial-driver) - [tire chains (15)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/tire-chains) - [School Bus Safety (14)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-safety) - [driver safety (14)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/driver-safety) - [icy conditions (13)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/icy-conditions) - [How to keep up with the schedule (12)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/how-to-keep-up-with-the-schedule) - [e-training (12)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/e-training) - [All about automatic snow chains (11)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/all-about-automatic-snow-chains) - [snow chains (11)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/snow-chains) - [Rescue Vehicles (10)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rescue-vehicles) - [Response time – a challenge for the rescue driver (10)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/response-time-a-challenge-for-the-rescue-driver) - [Fire Truck (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fire-truck) - [Improving performance on icy roads (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-performance-on-icy-roads) - [school bus driver (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-driver) - [Ambulance (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/ambulance) - [Fleet Maintenance (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-maintenance) - [Fleet Productivity (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-productivity) - [Response Time (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/response-time) - [Delivery (7)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/delivery) - [Engineering (7)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/engineering) - [Autonomous Vehicles (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/autonomous-vehicles) - [Service (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/service) - [Traction aids for heavy vehicles (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction-aids-for-heavy-vehicles) - [All about automatic tire chains (5)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/all-about-automatic-tire-chains) - [Tips on driving a school bus in adverse conditions (5)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/tips-on-driving-a-school-bus-in-adverse-conditions) - [Black ice (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/black-ice) - [Off Season Productivity (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/off-season-productivity) - [fleet efficiency (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-efficiency) - [improve performance on slippery roads (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improve-performance-on-slippery-roads) - [improving uptime (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-uptime) - [Happy New Year (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/happy-new-year) - [Schedule (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/schedule) - [checklist (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/checklist) - [health tips for drivers (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/health-tips-for-drivers) - [5 ways to improve uptime of your fleets! (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/5-ways-to-improve-uptime-of-your-fleets) - [Driver Recruitment and Rentention (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/driver-recruitment-and-rentention) - [Onspot service (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/onspot-service) - [Snow chain regulations (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/snow-chain-regulations) - [blog posts (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/blog-posts) - [bus (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/bus) - [configurator (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/configurator) - [drivers education (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/drivers-education) - [friction (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/friction) - [measurements (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/measurements) - [road safety (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/road-safety) - [rules and regulations (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rules-and-regulations) - [2023 (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/2023) - [4WD (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/4wd) - [4x4 (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/4x4) - [4x4 or Onspot (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/4x4-or-onspot) - [Customer Testemonials (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/customer-testemonials) - [History (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/history) - [Holidays (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/holidays) - [Merry Christmas (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/merry-christmas) - [Onspot Hotel (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/onspot-hotel) - [Spare parts (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/spare-parts) - [Transport (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/transport) - [US | Traction aids for heavy vehicles (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/us-traction-aids-for-heavy-vehicles) - [VSI Form (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/vsi-form) - [automatic snow chains explaned (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-snow-chains-explaned) - [automatiska snökedjor (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatiska-snökedjor) - [chain wheel position (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/chain-wheel-position) - [faq (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/faq) - [first service (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/first-service) - [insurance (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/insurance) - [modern technology (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/modern-technology) - [recycling (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/recycling) Se all ### Posts by Author - [Boel Haglund (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/boel-haglund) - [Daniel Corriveau (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/daniel-corriveau) - [Daniel Salomonsson (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/daniel-salomonsson) - [Eric Carlebom (19)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/eric-carlebom-int) - [Eric Carlebom (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/eric-carlebom-int) - [Eric Jones (36)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/eric-jones) - [Karsten Glaschick (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/karsten-glaschick) - [Lars Holmgren (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/lars-holmgren) - [Leonard D'Orlando (51)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/leonard-dorlando) - [Leonard D'Orlando (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/leonard-dorlando-se) - [Linda Caffee (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/linda-caffee) - [Lucas Gulino (11)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/lucas-gulino) - [Maritza Hernandez (15)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/maritza-hernandez) - [Onspot (1)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/onspot) - [Onspot International (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/onspot-international) - [Quinten Tritle (5)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/quinten-tritle-1) - [Shane Woodman (32)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/shane-woodman) - [The Haaks (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/the-haaks) - [Thomas Ancart (14)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/thomas) - [Thomas Kaiser (2)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/thomas-kaiser) - [Ulrik Andersson (68)](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/ulrik-andersson) Se all ### Follow us - - - - #### Know us - [Why Onspot](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/why-onspot/) - [Knowledge](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/) - [The product](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/) - [Configurator](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/configurator/) - [About us](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/about-onspot/) - [Blog](https://intblog.onspot.com/) #### How can we help you? - [Find us](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/find-us/for-dealers--service/) - [Contact us](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/contact-us/) - [Supplier information](https://www.vbggroup.com/en/vte-suppliers) - [Onspot Influencer Program](https://int.onspot.com/en-gb/influencer) #### Follow us - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/onspot-com) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Onspotcom) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/onspot/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@onspot_com/videos) VBG GROUP TRUCK EQUIPMENT AB | Box 1216 | SE-462 28 Vänersborg | [Privacy](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/privacy/) | [Terms of Sale](https://www.onspot.com/globalassets/terms-of-sale/terms-of-sale.pdf) | [Whistleblower](https://www.vbggroup.com/en/corporate-governance/whistleblower/) | Cookie Policy ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Eric Jones", "url" : "https://intblog.onspot.com/author/eric-jones" }, "dateModified" : "2021-11-30T15:29:21.125Z", "datePublished" : "2017-12-07T14:30:00.000Z", "headline" : "What is traction coefficient?", "image" : [ "https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/North_America/Blog%20Images/Cover%20Picture%20Edited%20to%204x3/_img-192023-edited.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://intblog.onspot.com/what-is-traction-coefficient", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/Assets/img/onspot_logo2x.png" }, "name" : "VBG Truck Equipment AB" } } ```