TREAD: Provides traction & cornering grip
BELTS: Stabilize & strengthen the tread
SIDEWALL: Protects the side of the tire from road & curb damage
BODY PLY: Gives the tire strength & flexibility
BEAD: Assures an air-tight fit with the wheel
INNERLINER: Keeps air inside the tire
Modern tire technology blends a unique mix of chemistry, physics & engineering
to give consumers a high degree of comfort, performance, efficiency, reliability
& safety. Many tires are custom-designed to meet the stresses & performance
needs specified by the maker of a particular model vehicle. Every tire is
carefully inspected, & random samples are pulled for additional safety tests.
As part of these tests, tires are x-rayed, cut apart & examined, run on test
wheels, or road-tested to evaluate handling, mileage & traction performance.
If properly cared for, tires can last a long time - usually from 40,000 to
80,000 miles, depending on the application.
