A laboratory test for general tire durability can produce results
comparable to the GM-ATE road test. A passenger tire is mounted in a test
machine and run at approximately 50 mph (80 kph), at maximum rated
inflation pressure, with at least 100% maximum rated radial load, with
approximately 25% of the test duration being performed with lateral force
comprised of approximately equal portions of right and left steering, the
remainder of the test being performed without lateral force (straight
portions). A test segment comprises repeating a loading cycle a plurality
of times until approximately 5000 miles have accumulated, and multiple
test segments are performed until 16,000 miles have been accumulated. The
test is paused and the tire is visually inspected several times during
the test segments, including at the end of the test.