What Is the Difference Between Tires & Wheels?
by William Zane
Tires and wheels are essential components of any vehicle that conveys people or material over land. Despite their importance, it is not uncommon for people to confuse the two. Wheels are sometimes incorrectly referred to as tires, and tire as wheels.
Wheel Description
Wheels are the metal parts that bolt to the vehicle's hub, often via an axle.
Wheel Construction
Wheels are generally made of steel or alloy, though there are some modern wheels that are made of carbon fiber. Because they do not come into contact with the roadway surface, wheels are not considered a wear-and-tear item, and only need to be replaced if they become damaged or there is a desire or need for a different size and style of wheel.
Tire Description
Tires are the round casings, usually filled with air, that mount onto the wheel. Tires are the components that make contact with the road while a vehicle is being moved, or even when it is at rest.
Tire Construction
Tires are usually made of a mixture of rubber, nylon and fiberglass. Whereas wheels do not wear down, tires certainly wear out over time from being driven, and need to be replaced periodically, depending on the mileage, age and the condition of the tires, and the roadway on which most of the riding is done.
Wheels and Tires
Your vehicle’s tires are mounted securely on the wheel. To mount a tire on a wheel, the two components need to be compatible in size, particularly in diameter, which needs to be identical.
References
Writer Bio
William Zane has been a freelance writer and photographer for over six years and specializes primarily in automotive-related subject matter among many other topics. He has attended the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, where he studied automotive design, and the University of New Mexico, where he studied journalism.
