why aren't tires solid rubber?

Question

other than weight, what are the benefits that inflatable tires have over a tire that would be made solid rubber?

Answer 1

Well for one the ride would be much worse if you had solid rubber tires. Every bump would be felt.

But more important than the ride is the fact that tires are very complicated parts of a car. The way they are made influences the turning ability of the car. The fact that the sidewall bend and flex enhances your ability to turn a corner more than you would every imagine. If you had a solid tire the ability to turn would be greatly reduced.

Consider that even though go karts that are raced are raced on pretty much perfectly smooth tracks, the go karts use inflated tires. It isn't for weight its because of turning and the fact that solid tires would not allow the same turning.

Answer 2

Solid Rubber

Answer 3

Cost, and "Tires are inflated with air, which provides a flexible cushion between the vehicle and the road that smooths out shock and provides for a comfortable ride quality."
"the pneumatic tire also has a more important effect of vastly reducing rolling resistance compared to a solid tire. Because the internal air pressure acts in all directions, a pneumatic tire is able to "absorb" lumps and bumps in the road as it rolls over them without experiencing a reaction force opposite to the direction of travel, as is the case with a solid (or foam-filled) tire. The difference between the rolling resistance of a pneumatic and solid tire is easily felt when propelling wheelchairs or baby buggies fitted with either type."

Answer 4

Solid tires wouldn't provide much cushioning as air filled(pneumatic) tires do. The air inside them supports by absorbing the shock. A completely solid wouldn't be as flexible as a pneumatic tyre and so it would not be able to adapt to the road and there would be less grip.

Answer 5

Less materials to waste. Plus the force created by that weight would be a hassle to stop and wear out your brakes quicker.

Plus, inflated tires adjust to the road

Answer 6

A solid ruber tire would have the worst ride ever, it would also be unsafe cuz the tire woild get very hot, the tire could just slowly melt away. Ride and safty.

Answer 7

They used to be solid. It saves rubber to have inflatables. It is also a better drive.

Answer 8

Suspension would not last 100 miles if they were solid .
The ride quality would be comparable to riding in a speedboat at 70MPH

The vehicle would be impossible to control at speed

Answer 9

They're cheaper to manufacture.

edit- Those who suggest rolling resistance, I wouldn't consider this point, as alternative shock absorbers are necessary for solid tires as opposed to inflated ones.

Answer 10

Beacause it would ride like a overloaded pick up truck for one reason the other is to much mass and weight of such a tire.