What Are Car Tires Made Of?

Contributor

By V. Fonseca
eHow Contributing Writer

The lowly tire is a complex piece of engineering that seldom gets the consideration it deserves. They keep our beloved cars on the road and moving at optimal speeds.

About Tires
Tires form a protective layer around the wheel rims and contribute to two main areas of car operation: sus… More
How to Rotate Tires
In order to properly rotate tires, take the front tires off and move them directly to the back, and take t… More
How to Inflate Tires
Tires have a major impact on the handling, braking and overall safety of a car. It is necessary to perform… More
Misconceptions about Tires
Learn the common mistakes when buying new tires with expert automotive tips in this free online auto repai… More
About Winter Tires
One of the best ways to ensure safe driving in winter conditions is to have the right kind of tires on you… More
What Are Car Tires Made Of?
The lowly tire is a complex piece of engineering that seldom gets the consideration it deserves. They keep… More
How to Know If a Car Needs New Tires
If a car needs new tires, the wear bars that run horizontally across a tire tread will become visible. Fin… More
How to Tell When Tires Need Balancing?
with help from an automotive technology professor in this free video on balancing car tires.… More
About Car Tires
Tires are an important and often under appreciated aspect of cars that offer quite a bit of benefits to th… More
How To Know When to Buy New Tires
Maintaining your tires is an important aspect of vehicle ownership, and knowing when to buy new tires can … More
What Are the Safest Tires?
There is no single "safest tire" that is suitable for all vehicles. You can, however, take a moment to con… More
When Should I Replace My Tires?
A car's tires should be replaced when there is damage to the sidewall, when there are bulges sticking out … More
How to Buy Tires
The importance of your car's tires can hardly be overstated. Some car owners invest a lot of time and mone… More
How to Clean Tires
Tires that aren't dirty will work better. In this free video clip, learn how to wash and detail your car l… More
How to Select Snow Tires
Winter driving can be hazardous, even for the most experienced driver. Snow and ice can make normally pass… More

Composition

Modern radial tires are made from flexible, interlaced layers of tightly woven steel and polyester cords. These layers are then encased by industrial strength, vulcanized rubber.

Types

There are five major types of tires. They are: bias, belted bias, radial, semi-pneumatic and solid. Of the five, the radial has become ubiquitous for passenger vehicles.

Markings

There are two types of tire coding in the world today: DOT and E-mark. The DOT code is used in the United States. The E-Mark is used in Europe.

Warning

Observe the six-year rule when it comes to changing your tires. Most manufacturers agree that six years is optimal and ten years is the upper limit for tires.

Fun Fact

The penny test can tell you if your tires are up to snuff. Place Lincoln's head between the treads. If you can see his entire head, it's time to change them.