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