From a simple wooden cutout to an advanced work of modern technology, wheels have accompanied humanity’s journey ever since their invention thousands of years ago. Today, wheels are everywhere in our daily lives—on cars, shopping carts, wheelchairs, and even machinery. Although wheels are seen in various places, undoubtedly, the most common place to see wheels is in vehicles like cars and planes. While these wheels may appear similar at first glance, they differ significantly in design, purpose, and technology.
To compare car wheels to plane wheels, we must first distinguish their different functions. Car wheels are made for continuous rolling—they always stay in contact with the ground and roll at moderate speeds to guide the car above the road. Plane wheels, however, are specifically made to sustain the plane’s massive weight, rapid speed, and high temperature during takeoff and landing. These functional differences define the roles of each wheel in its respective context.
Starting with physical features, plane wheels are much bigger and thicker than car wheels. While typical car wheels can measure between 22–30 inches in diameter, typical commercial airliner plane wheels can measure between 40–56 inches in diameter—nearly double the size. This larger and thicker design enables plane wheels to endure the extreme forces they face during takeoff and landing.
There are also differences inside the wheels too. While car tires are typically filled with air (a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen gas) at a pressure between 30–35 psi (pound-force per square inch), plane tires are filled with pure nitrogen gas at a pressure between 200–350 psi. This is because high-pressure nitrogen gas helps the wheel withstand the high temperature that reaches up to 500°F and the sudden forces of up to 46 tons, distributed across multiple wheels, during landing and takeoff.
Lastly, there is a notable difference in the wheels’ maintenance and replacement. While people might peek at their car wheel once in a while, plane wheels are checked thoroughly after every use to make sure that there are no damages that might cause hazard. Additionally, while car wheels are replaced every 3–6 years or 25,000–50,000 miles without any damage, plane wheels are replaced every 200–400 landings without any damage. This is because although plane wheels are designed to endure extreme conditions, the extensive stress they undergo can lead to potentially dangerous situations if not replaced regularly.
As seen, the size difference is not the only difference between car wheels and plane wheels. From their external dimensions to their internal composition and maintenance, the technological advancements in wheels ensure safety and efficiency in transportation. Without these innovations, modern aviation—and even our everyday commutes—would not be possible. So, as we reflect on Thanksgiving, why not take a moment to appreciate the role of wheels in making modern life easier?
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