A car’s tire is the essential component of a vehicle that plays a crucial role in supporting the vehicle’s load. While many of us are familiar with the basic design, only some understand the inner mechanisms and complex anatomy.
Whether you are a seasonal driver, a mechanic, or just someone who is interested in learning more about a tire’s inner workings, knowing the anatomy of a tire will give you confidence. Thus, you can confidently decide on your car’s safety and upkeep.
Inside And Outside Parts of a Tire
From the beads to the tread, each part plays a crucial role in supporting the vehicle’s weight, transmitting braking force, maintaining direction, and absorbing shocks from the surface. We will start from the outside: the treads, and go into the inner parts like belt plies.
Keep reading to learn the details.
#1 – Outside Parts
The outer parts of a tire consist of the sidewall and tread. Each part plays an essential role in ensuring safety while you drive.
The Tread
Trade is one of the most important tire parts names. It refers to the upper surface above the sidewall that comes into contact with the road and is responsible for providing traction.
The trade part has a pattern on its surface called grooves. These grooves channel water away from the tire’s surface in wet conditions. They come in various designs depending on different driving conditions.
For example, the pattern of snow tires is designed to withstand snow. Thus, the pattern of snow tires is not the same as that of off-road tires.
Sidewall
As the name suggests, the right and left labeled parts of a tire, from the bead to the tread, are referred to as the sidewall. If you just glance at the tire’s side, you can see tire markings on the sidewall. In light of this, we can refer to the sidewall of a tire as representing tire markings.
Tire marking refers to numbers like P215/65 R15, which contains the basic information about the tire, such as tire size, load capacity, or speed index. For example, the width of this particular tire is 215 millimeters. We will talk about it in detail in a later part of this blog.
#2 – Inside Parts
Whereas the outer parts of a tire protect it from damage, the inner parts ensure stability.
Let’s talk about each of them.
The Beads
The bead refers to the tire parts that come into contact with the wheel’s rim. It is made of high tensile steel wear along with copper and brass and is responsible for keeping the tire in place on the wheel.
Inside the tire bead, there is another component called bead filler. It is made of rubber components and is responsible for stability in the lower sidewall. It helps tires withstand the vehicle’s weight and prevent tires from sliding.
Inner Liner
The inner liner is one of the essential parts of a tire diagram and is the innermost layer of a tire. It is a synthetic rubber designed to keep or hold the air inside the tire. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining tire pressure and improving fuel economy.
The Belt
The belts are a layer of fabric that sits under the tread. The role of this part is to provide strength and puncture resistance. There can be more than one layer. And the material it is made of depends on the tire’s application or its intended use.
#3 – Associated Components of a Tire
In addition to the inner and outer parts of the tire, it has some associated components, including a valve stem, inner tube, and the wheel in which the tire is mounted. Let’s describe how important each part is in maintaining overall stability.
The Valve Stem
The valve stem is a metal part of the tire that allows air to be added or removed from the tire using an air pump. Parts of a tire valve consist of other elements, including a valve stem body, core, and cap.
In simple language, when your tire needs air, it receives air through the valve stem. The valve stem is usually attached to the rim.
Inner Tube
Tire also comes with an inner tube. It is made from material that is impervious such as elastic synthetic rubber. When air is inserted, it inflates and retains air pressure.
Wheel
The wheel is where the tire is mounted. It is not a part of the tire but an associated component on which the whole wheel shape is formed when the tire is mounted.
Finally, in addition to the parts we discussed earlier, some other associated parts include bead filler, belt edge cushion, rim strip, and cord. All parts of the tire work together to hold air within the tire walls and ensure safety.
The Material and Manufacturing Process of Modern Tires
Rubber is the primary material of the tire in addition to other materials such as carbon black, reinforcing materials such as steel or nylon, and sulfur.
All the other materials are usually mixed with the rubber and then heated. Each chemical plays its role in producing a stable product.
Whereas some chemicals keep the tire flexible, reinforcing materials make it stable.
When it comes to the manufacturing process of tires, it can vary depending on the type of tire and the manufacturer’s method.
However, the core process remains the same irrespective of the type of tire you make. Here are the primary steps that are followed in the manufacturing process.
- Step 1: All the raw materials are mixed.
- Step 2: The mixed elements are processed to make it into a strip.
- Step 3: In this step, the strip is wrapped around to create the tire’s basic structure.
- Step 4: Heat and reinforce the tire with steel or nylon.
- Step 5: Once the tire is ready, the manufacturer tests the tire.
Different Types of Tires
The different tire types depend on the vehicle and the driving conditions. Here are some common types of tires available in the market.
Tires for sedans, minivans, and other utility vehicles
- All-season tires
- Touring tires
- Summer tires
- Performance tires
Tires for SUVs and Trucks
- Highway tires
- All-terrain tires or mud-terrain tires
- Rib tires
Other tires
- Spare tires
- Winter tires
- Summer Tires
- Eco-friendly tires
Related: 5 Key Differences Between 225 And 235 Tires In 2023
Understand Tire Dimension
If you look closely at the sidewall, you will see the tire markings like P315/65 R15. With a short description, it’s easy to understand this marking. If we break it down into pieces, all the letters and numbers mean the following:
- The letter “P” at the beginning means the tire is intended for Passenger vehicles
- The first three-digit number in the tire size 315 refers to the tire width
- After the slash mark, the two-digit number indicates the aspect ratio
- R means Radial
- 15 is the diameter
Tire Maintenance and Safety
Maintenance is always better than cure. It also increases lifespan and safety. By following these tips, your car’s tire will remain safe and in good condition.
- Use the tire pressure gauge and check the tire pressure at least once a month or before the long trip.
- Over time tread depth reduces. Check the depth. If it is less than the manufacturing recommendation, replace the tire.
- Make sure the tire is correctly aligned.
- Check your tire after every long trip and look closely for any sign of damage.
- Every vehicle has a towing capacity. You should not exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle.
- Last but not least, drive safely.