Whether you’re hitting the road or just looking for some conversation-worthy trivia, we’ve got you covered! In this article, you’ll discover weird and wonderful tyre facts like: Are tyres bulletproof? Why are tyres black? What are NASA tyres made from? How many tyres are there in the world? What is the biggest tyre in the world? And who is the biggest tyre manufacturer?
Outsmart the competition in tyre-based trivial pursuit and let the good times roll!
The BIGGEST tyre facts
We’ve compiled some of the biggest tyre facts… because who wouldn’t want to impress their friends with a small selection of BIG tyre tidbits? Here at TyreSafe, we honestly couldn’t say.
The biggest tyre in the world is 80 feet tall
Perhaps it’s not all that surprising that the biggest tyre in the world, standing at 80 feet tall and weighing 12 tons, is not attached to a similarly, enormous vehicle! The Uniroyal Giant Tyre in Michigan was originally constructed as a Ferris wheel, with enough gondolas for 96 passengers. Designed by the architecture company behind the Empire State Building, this giant tyre stands out for obvious reasons! Aside from its humungous size though, the iconic landmark showcases an impressive attention to detail, with a tread depth of around half a foot, an intricate tread pattern and a shiny hub cap. While the Ferris wheel is officially closed, the biggest tyre in the world still attracts visitors from all over.
The biggest tyre manufacturer is…LEGO
Hard to believe as it is, the biggest tyre manufacturer is, in fact, Lego! Technically, these tiny toys aren’t quite the same as the wheels and tyres we fit to our vehicles. But with over 318 million tyres produced a year and nearly 50% of all Lego sets containing wheels – who are we to disagree? Simultaneously the biggest and smallest tyre manufacturer, Lego went down in the Guinness Book of Records in 2011 for its titanic tyre production!
When it comes to the tyres we actually fit to our cars, motorhomes and motorbikes, the biggest tyre manufacturer as of 2022, is Michelin, followed by Bridgestone and Goodyear.
The biggest functioning tyre can carry loads of up to 100,000kg
The Uniroyal Giant Tyre may be the biggest tyre in the world, but if we’re talking about revolving wheels that do more than attract attention, then the real giants are the off-road titans used on earth-moving vehicles. These super-sized tyres stand between 5 and 14 feet tall, weigh several tonnes, and can carry loads of up to 100,000kg! For perspective, the heaviest load a caravan tyre can handle – depending on its load index – is just 1600kg.
Top tyre trivia facts
We’ve covered some of the biggest tyre facts – but what about the best? Here are some of our favourite tyre tidbits.
Are tyres bulletproof?
Tyres are, of course, not bulletproof! But some are designed to be more resistant to damage and punctures than others. Run flats have reinforced sidewalls so that in the event of a puncture, you can continue to drive for a limited time.
What is the most expensive set of tyres?
The most expensive set of tyres were sold in 2016 for $800,000! They were decorated with diamonds and 24-carat gold leaf.
Why are tyres always black?
Tyres are black because a fine black powder called ‘carbon black’ is added during the manufacturing process to improve the strength and durability of the rubber. Without this, tyres would be a white colour that is more susceptible to damage from heat and UV rays.
What gas is used in tyres?
Tyres are filled with a mixture of gases, including nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%) and miscellaneous gases (1%) – which you might remember from your GCSEs is just regular air!
Race car drivers might opt for pure nitrogen-filled tyres. With bigger molecules and no moisture, dry nitrogen is less likely to escape through the rubber, ensuring these high performance vehicles maintain precisely consistent tyre pressure. This is only really necessary in highly specialised cases though and everyday drivers will be fine with regular air.
How many tyres are there in the world?
It’s impossible to know exactly, but there is something in the region of 37 billion wheels in the world. That’s nearly 5x more wheels than there are people.
What are NASA tyres made of?
Lunar rover tyres are continuously evolving! The rover that landed on Mars in 2021 was made with aluminium wheels and twice as many treads as its predecessor –to help it better withstand the sharp, rocky Martian terrain. Some rovers have used a titanium mesh, but they don’t use traditional rubber tyres.
Learn more about tyres and tyre safety
At TyreSafe, we are dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of tyre safety. Stay safe and sound and road-ready with our tyre help and advice.