How Do Car Tires Work?

[DiSawyer]

Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on various vehicles or machinery to roll on the ground. They are typically installed on metal rims to support the vehicle body, absorb external shocks, ensure contact with the road surface, and maintain driving performance. Below is an introduction to the functions of car tires: 1. Support: Bear the full weight of the vehicle, withstand the load, and transmit forces and moments in other directions. 2. Transmission: Transfer traction and braking torque to ensure good adhesion between the wheels and the road, improving the vehicle's power, braking, and off-road capabilities. They also work with the suspension to mitigate impacts during driving and dampen resulting vibrations. 3. Protection: Prevent severe vibrations and premature damage to vehicle components, adapt to high-speed performance, reduce driving noise, and ensure safety, handling stability, comfort, and fuel efficiency.

[LaGenevieve]

After all these years of removing tires, let me tell you, this thing is ingeniously designed. The outermost rubber tread grips the road – those rain grooves are absolutely crucial, without them you're just hydroplaning. The steel belt layer in the middle acts like armor, both absorbing impacts and resisting punctures. The key is tire pressure – I've seen too many people drive until their tires bulge before coming in for repairs. These hollow tires support the entire vehicle's weight with air pressure – too high and the ride's bumpy, too low and you'll damage the rims plus waste fuel. Every time I change a customer's tire, I preach: a tire pressure gauge is more important than your phone!

[LauraFitz]

The other day, I took a taxi and heard the driver venting about tires. He had driven 300,000 kilometers and summed it up perfectly: Tires are just like shoes. The rubber in contact with the ground deforms and grips the road grooves to prevent slipping, while high-speed cornering relies entirely on the sidewall support. Nowadays, premium tires are formulated with silica. Last winter, when I drove to Changbai Mountain, regular tires were as hard as bricks at -20°C, but my neighbor’s new winter tires still had elasticity when pressed. Remember to keep an emergency air pump in the car. Last year, my wife’s tire had a slow leak, and we managed to pump it up just enough to reach the repair shop.