Parts of a Car Tire
There are several parts of a tire. A basic knowledge and understanding of these parts will help eliminate needless searching for the right tire, correct specifications and prices. A tire is, generally, the easiest part of a car to learn about.
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Tread and Sidewall
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The tread is the first part of a tire most people see. This is the patterned part of the outside of the tire and provides traction so the tire sticks to the road. Made from a combination of synthetic and natural rubber materials, the tread design comes from a curing machine, which is similar to a waffle iron in function. As the machine heats up the internal parts of a tire, melting and bonding them together, it imprints the tread pattern onto the smooth rubber of a new tire, often called a green tire.
The sidewall is another external part of a tire. The sidewall adds stability to the tire and protects the internal parts of the tire. Some tire makers add durable components here to add extra support.
Cap and Body Plies
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Found inside the tire, body plies are made of different materials, but most commonly polyester cords. These cords run perpendicular to the tire tread, strengthen the tire and indicate the strength of a tire by the number of plies used during construction. For example, most cars have two plies while airplanes have 30 or more plies. These rubber-coated body piles bond with other internal components during the vulcanizing process that takes place inside the curing machine mentioned before and seals in air as well.
While body plies are essential parts of a tire, cap plies, found between the tread and steal belts, are used typically on tires designed for high speeds. Cap plies are extra layers of material that add support to internal components. -
Belts
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Within the tire, between the tread and body plies, tires have supportive materials called belts. Some manufacturers use wire or fiberglass fabrics to make these belts, which are mostly made of steel. The belts help the tire stay flat against the road for better traction and protect against punctures. The belts, in addition to the tread, are recyclable for new tire construction.
Bead
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The bead is the base part of a tire where the tire sits against the rim. Made from thick steel, the bead is rubber coated to prevent damage caused by the rim. Some manufacturers will use thicker beads, called bead fillers, to add support to the lower sidewall.
Miscellaneous
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There are a few miscellaneous parts of a tire. The curb guard is an extrusion of rubber that protects the tire from curb damage. A DOT is a mark that symbolizes the tire meets transportation guidelines. Tires have inner liners; seals that help insure air pressurization. Another part of a tire is the valve stem, an external piece of tubing connected to the air tube inside the tire. The tire's PSI reading on an air gauge should be the same as that on the tire manufacturer's label.
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