We all refer to the spare tire in our vehicle but isn't the tire only the rubber portion? Doesn't the wheel consist of the rim and the tire together? It seems more grammatically correct to say spare wheel. Spare tire implies that we will be taking off the damaged tire and replacing it with a new one on the same rim. Would love to hear others opinions. Thanks for your time.

Hello, Shuler! Interesting question!

Actually, the wheel is the steel part that is a permanent fixture of the car which rotates when the car is in movement.

You're right in saying that the tire (tyre in BrE) is the rubber part, but it's also the spokes or whatever else that part in the center is called. Th part that blows out and needs to be replaced is the tire, not the wheel. So saying a spare tire or I need to buy tires or I know how to change a flat tire are all accurate.

Richard