ASTM F559-05 (2024) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM F559-05(2024) — Standard Test Method for Measuring Length of Road Test Courses Using a Fifth Wheel. This method defines procedures for using a calibrated fifth wheel mounted on a vehicle to determine the accurate length of road test courses used in tire and vehicle testing, including setup, warm‑up, calibration reference, and measurement practices.

Abstract

This standard provides a practical, repeatable procedure to measure route length with sufficient accuracy for tire testing when traditional surveying is impractical. It specifies surface and equipment requirements, calibration references (Test Method F457), warm‑up and measurement runs, units of record (SI preferred), and exclusions (irregular or ice/snow covered surfaces). The procedure is concise (multi‑page) and intended to ensure consistent distance measurements for tire performance and wear evaluations.

General information

• Status: Active — reapproval/maintenance activity recorded in 2024 (reapproved/updated entry shown in 2024 listings).
• Publication date: January 5, 2024 (document shown as F559‑05 with 2024 reapproval/record updates noted in ASTM listings; historical updates also recorded June 25, 2024).
• Publisher: ASTM International (Committee F09 on Tires, Subcommittee F09.10).
• ICS / categories: ICS 43.180 (Diagnostic, maintenance and test equipment; tire and vehicle testing equipment).
• Edition / version: Designation F559‑05 with 2024 reapproved/record reference (also appears as F0559‑05R17 in some ASTM catalog entries).
• Number of pages: 3 pages (concise test method).

Scope

This test method covers determination of accurate length measurements of road courses used for testing pneumatic tires on passenger and commercial vehicles. It is intended for public highways or closed circuit test courses that cannot be practically measured by surveying techniques. The method requires sufficiently smooth surfaces that prevent fifth‑wheel bounce and excludes highly irregular surfaces or those covered by snow or ice. Values are stated in SI units as the standard.

Key topics and requirements

• Use of a calibrated fifth wheel mounted and adjusted per the standard’s setup instructions.
• Calibration linkage to Test Method F457 (speed and distance calibration of a fifth wheel).
• Surface requirements — course must be sufficiently smooth to avoid fifth‑wheel bounce; excludes rock, Belgian block, rumble surfaces, snow/ice.
• Warm‑up and run procedure (examples in the method include warm‑up runs such as ~3 km and measurement examples over a 1,609.3 m course at representative test speeds).
• Reporting in SI units (values stated in SI are standard; non‑SI given for information).
• Precision and bias considerations and example data to aid users in assessing measurement uncertainty for typical course lengths.

Typical use and users

Primary users include tire manufacturers, independent tire test laboratories, automotive OEM test departments, regulatory and certification bodies, and research organizations conducting tire performance, treadwear, or vehicle dynamics testing that require accurate course distance measurements. The method is commonly used where survey measurement is impractical and when consistent, repeatable distance records are required for comparative testing.

Related standards

Key related standards referenced or used together with F559 include: Test Method F457 for calibration of fifth wheels (speed and distance), and Practice F811 for accelerometer usage in vehicle tire testing (other tire testing practices in Book of Standards Volume 09.02 are commonly used alongside F559).

Keywords

fifth wheel; distance measurement; road test course; tire testing; course length measurement; calibration; F457; vehicle testing; test method.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F559‑05(2024) is a short test method that specifies how to measure the length of road test courses using a calibrated fifth wheel mounted to a vehicle, intended to provide sufficiently accurate distance measurements for tire testing and related vehicle test programs.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers equipment setup, surface suitability, warm‑up and measurement runs, calibration references (see F457), reporting units (SI preferred), and exclusions for irregular or snow/ice surfaces.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Tire manufacturers, independent test labs, automotive OEM test groups, and research organizations that need repeatable, accurate course length measurements for tire performance and wear testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is listed in 2024 materials as the F559‑05 designation with reapproval/maintenance activity recorded in 2024; consult ASTM’s official catalog for the formal record and any subsequent changes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee F09’s tire testing suite (Book of Standards Volume 09.02) and is commonly used together with calibration and instrumentation practices such as F457 and F811.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Fifth wheel, road course length, distance measurement, tire testing, calibration, F457, vehicle test course.