1. What is the Wheel Speed Equation?

The wheel speed equation calculates the linear speed of a vehicle based on its wheel rotation speed (RPM) and wheel diameter. It converts rotational motion to linear speed in miles per hour.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wheel speed equation:

Where:

• \( rpm \) — Revolutions per minute
• \( dia_{in} \) — Wheel diameter in inches
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant Pi (~3.14159)
• 12 — Inches to feet conversion
• 5280 — Feet to miles conversion
• 60 — Minutes to hours conversion

Explanation: The equation converts rotational speed to linear speed by accounting for wheel circumference and unit conversions.

3. Importance of Wheel Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating wheel speed is essential for vehicle design, speedometer calibration, gear ratio selection, and performance tuning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wheel RPM and diameter in inches. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is wheel diameter important in speed calculation?
A: Larger wheels cover more distance per revolution, resulting in higher speed for the same RPM compared to smaller wheels.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is theoretically accurate for perfect rolling without slip, but real-world factors like tire deformation may affect actual speed.

Q3: Can I use this for different wheel shapes?
A: This assumes circular wheels. For non-circular wheels, a different approach would be needed.

Q4: Does this account for tire pressure changes?
A: No, the calculation uses nominal diameter. Actual tire diameter may vary slightly with pressure.

Q5: How can I measure my wheel diameter?
A: Measure from ground to wheel center and multiply by 2, or consult your tire specifications.