Editing Inflatable (section)

====Pneumatic tire====
[[File:Claas Jaguar 970, Vorderrad mit Schlauch der Reifendruckregelanlage.jpg|thumb|An inflated vehicle tire]]
{{main|Tire}}

A '''tire''' (in American English and Canadian English) or '''tyre''' (in British English, New Zealand English, Australian English and others) is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel [[Rim (wheel)|rim]] to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground. The word itself may be derived from the word "tie," which refers to the outer steel ring part of a wooden cart wheel that ties the wood segments together (see Etymology below).

The fundamental materials of modern tires are [[synthetic rubber]], [[natural rubber]], fabric and wire, along with other compound chemicals. They consist of a tread and a body. The tread provides [[Traction (engineering)|traction]] while the body ensures support. Before rubber was invented, the first versions of tires were simply bands of metal that fitted around wooden wheels in order to prevent wear and tear. Today, the vast majority of tires are [[pneumatic]] [[inflatable structure]]s, comprising a doughnut-shaped body of cords and wires encased in rubber and generally filled with compressed air to form an inflatable cushion. Pneumatic tires are used on many types of vehicles, such as [[bicycle]]s, [[motorcycles]], [[cars]], [[truck]]s, [[earthmover]]s, and [[aircraft]].