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A rubber component, with or without an inner tube, that is mounted on the rim of a wheel.
Reviewed 07.11.2026 · Version 2 · Scope: General
In a vehicle, the tire is the part that surrounds the rim and makes contact with the road surface. The general definition is supported by the RAE, while the DGT emphasizes its relationship to traction on firm ground.
Hypothetical example: a fictional car has four tires mounted on its wheels and drives along a dry street.
It is important because it is the wheel element that contacts the road and contributes to vehicle traction.
It is not synonymous with rim: the tire mounts on it. The automotive technical term should not be confused with other senses of "tire", such as something that operates on air or gas.
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