Patent ID: 8122762

Claim:
A method of estimating tire contact state comprising steps of: using a tire having a tread pattern on which a trailing position of a block or a dummy block is formed in a tire circumference direction at a constant cycle, the block is defined by a plurality of circumferential grooves and a lateral groove or a lug groove, and the dummy block projects in a tire axial direction from a land portion continuing in a tire circumference direction; detecting a vibration transmitted to an unsprung portion of a vehicle from the tire, which occurs when the trailing edge of the block or the dummy block leaves from a road and; estimating a tire contact state in accordance with magnitude of the vibration component in a frequency band corresponding with the cycle of the detected vibration, wherein, the vibration, which is transmitted to a knuckle which is a non-rotatable member and is located on a wheel side than a damping member disposed on a non-rotatable side of the wheel, is detected.