What kind of deposit is left on the roadway by a heated sliding tire?

A heated sliding tire creates a deposit known as a tire smear on the roadway. This occurs due to the high friction between the tire and the surface, which causes the rubber to partially melt and transfer onto the pavement. This type of deposit can be crucial in accident reconstruction, as it provides evidence of where the vehicle was sliding, enabling investigators to understand the dynamics of the accident better.

The other options do not accurately describe the deposit created by a sliding tire. A rubber smear is often associated with fresh rubber applied to the road, typically from racing tires or similar situations, rather than originating from a sliding tire. A fluid trace usually refers to leaking fluids from vehicles, while a road mark may imply any markings on the road surface not specifically tied to tire behavior. Understanding these distinctions helps in correctly identifying the types of marks and traces left on roadways in various scenarios.