the.com/tire
The only part of your car actually on speaking terms with the road.
means The rubber, air-filled wheel covering that cushions a vehicle and grips the pavement.
from Most likely a clipping of 'attire' — the tire was seen as the wheel's outer dress or clothing, the part it's 'attired' in. The spelling split in the 1800s: American English settled on 'tire,' while British English drifted to 'tyre' to avoid confusion with the verb 'to tire' (meaning to grow weary), though both spellings trace back to the same root.
- air, mostly
- A tire is basically a pressurized bag you trust at 70mph
- black by design
- Carbon black added for durability turned rubber tires black
- short lifespan
- Average tire loses tread after 25,000 to 50,000 miles
- contact patch
- Each tire touches road on an area the size of your palm