Color Wheel™ Collection by Daltile®

Why tires aren't different colors

In the early days of automobile manufacturing, tires were made from natural rubber, which has a pale, off-white color. This is why early tire advertisements, and mascots like the Michelin Man, depicted tires as white. While these tires were functional, they lacked durability. Natural rubber is soft and prone to wear, especially under the stress of road friction and changing temperatures. As cars became faster and heavier, the limitations of white rubber tires became increasingly apparent, prompt