Tires

Parts of the tire include the tread, sidewall, beads, inner liner and radial ply. Tires are a preventive maintenance item and must be maintained. Tires are mounted to wheels which have their own parts and preventive maintenance checklists. The wearing portion of the tire is called the tread. The tread pattern will vary from tire to tire and depends upon the intended use of the tire. For instance, some tires are made specifically for wet conditions. Sidewalls extend from the tread to the bead of the tire. Radial tires run cooler, last longer, provide better fuel economy and are safer.

The air pressure contained in a tire has enough potential energy to kill if the tire or rim fails. When selecting replacement tires refer to the vehicle's manual for the recommended type of tire. When inspecting tires, there will be telltale signs of wear. Bald spots are caused by unbalanced wheels or defective tires.

Wheels

Wheels provide a mounting point for the tires to the hubs. Wheel parts include the rim, flange, tire bead area, drop center section and safety ridge that holds the tire in place.

Proper tire balance ensures a smooth ride, extended life of the tire and less suspension wear. A static imbalance will cause the tire to bounce up and down as the tire rotates.