Which of the following is NOT considered a component of a tire?

The wheel rim is not considered a component of the tire itself, but rather a part of the wheel assembly. When discussing the anatomy of a tire, the main components are the tread, which provides traction; the sidewall, which provides lateral stability and protects the tire; and the bead, which is the inner edge that secures the tire to the wheel rim.

The rim, in contrast, serves as the base on which the tire is mounted, functioning more as a structural support rather than a part of the tire design. This distinction is crucial in the context of understanding automotive components, as it highlights the differences between various parts of the wheel system and their specific functions. Therefore, identifying the wheel rim as not being part of the tire index is a key aspect of tire knowledge in automotive studies.