| The term "rim" is used interchangeably with "wheel". | | | | maintain the overall diameter of the tire. |
| The rim is the edge of the wheel that the tire is | | | | Rims almost always survive the lifetime of a car. One |
| fitted upon. The ring of the wheel is the rim, and the | | | | the other hand, tires are subjected to friction |
| center of the wheel is attached to the rim. The rim | | | | occurring from constant contact with the road. This |
| and center together make up the wheel. Wheels are | | | | causes the tread on the outer perimeter of the tire |
| circular disks or rings on which automobile tires are | | | | to eventually wear away. When the tire tread |
| mounted. The tires on a vehicle are the only things | | | | becomes too shallow, the tire wears out and must |
| touching the road surface. | | | | be replaced. Front tires, especially on front wheel |
| Tire technology is at an all-time high and the quality | | | | drive vehicles, have a tendency to wear out more |
| of rims keeps getting better. Great tires can do | | | | quickly than rear tires. Routine maintenance should be |
| wonders even for an average car. Just because a | | | | done periodically to even out tire wear. This includes |
| tire fits on a particular rim does not mean it is | | | | tire rotation (exchanging the front and rear tires with |
| compatible. Tire sidewall strength, the rim lip and tire | | | | each other). |
| bead type (the seal between tire and rim) and load | | | | It is not enough if a car merely has a powerful |
| ratings are a few factors that affect compatibility. | | | | engine, transmission and suspension. A good rim and |
| Plus sizing, or increasing the size of the rim and tire, is | | | | tire are paramount to a vehicle's performance. |
| the best way to improve both the performance and | | | | Automobile companies focus a lot of attention to the |
| appearance of a vehicle. . By using a larger diameter | | | | tire and the rim while designing and manufacturing |
| wheel with a lower diameter tire, it's possible to | | | | their models. |