Eli5 Why do tires use air instead of solid rubber all the wsy?

Question

Wouldnt a solid rubber tire do the same job with no risk of punctures?

In: 296

Answer 1

You can compress a gas as much as you want. You cannot compress rubber as much as you want.

There are so many vehicles and use cases that require different pressures that a gas solves more problems. It also provides more cushioning than solid rubber making the ride smoother