Question: Are RC Tires and RC Wheels the Same Thing or Not?
Although used interchangeably, tires and wheels are actually two distinct parts.
Answer: The wheel on an RC car or truck consists of the tire, the rim, and possibly a tire insert. To further confuse things, the rim is sometimes referred to as the wheel.
The plastic or metal rim attaches to the axle of the RC. The tire fits on the rim. The tire may have a foam tire insert inside it between the tire and rim. When purchasing new wheels for your RC you'll typically need to purchase the tires, inserts, and rims separately.