Is the wheel of a car "rueda"?

Question

I believe a car's tire is "llanta" but spanishdict.com also describes llanta as "wheel". Would the wheel (the part that the tire attaches to) of the car be "rueda" or can "llanta" also be used to refer to the wheel?

Answer 1

To clarify:

• rueda: can be used for the whole thing (rim+tire), but is usually employed for the tires, eg: "cambio de ruedas"= "tire change"
• neumático: this is only the tire
• llanta: this is only the rim, eg: "llantas de aleación"= "alloy rims"

I agree 100% - lazarus1907, Oct 21, 2010

I don't. We use different nomenclature on our side of the world. - Gekkosan, Oct 21, 2010

For me "llanta" is the entire thing, not only the rim. - LuisaGomezBartle, Oct 21, 2010

Answer 2

To offer a different perspective on Billstpor excellen post, in the places I have been and lived I have come across these definitions:

" rueda: can be used for the whole thing (rim+tire)" This is probably universally true. However, not everywhere is true that you can say "cambio de rueda" to mean "change of tire".

" neumático: this is only the tire" True. Other names: Goma, caucho, llanta..

" llanta: this is only the rim," This I have never encountered. To me "llanta" is one word for the rubber tire. For "rim" I have seen: aro, ring, rin, rueda. There probably are other words for it, but if so, I can't remember them.

Gekko, Hablamos muy parecido, para mí es igual a lo que dijiste. Especialmente lo de "llanta". - LuisaGomezBartle, Oct 21, 2010

Claro, si es que hemos sido vecinos y todo, vea! ;-) - Gekkosan, Oct 21, 2010

Así precisamente se usa en México también - 005faa61, Oct 21, 2010

Answer 3

While we are on the topic of wheels, what is the word for steering wheel?

Volante. - Gekkosan, Oct 21, 2010

Para mí es: timón o volante... But this should be another post. - LuisaGomezBartle, Oct 21, 2010

See? At least we can agree on something Gekko ;) - bill1111, Oct 21, 2010

@Bill: Hey, I thought your post was great! It just missed some alternatives. ;-) - Gekkosan, Oct 21, 2010

Answer 4

no the correct way is saying neumático también

Answer 5

neumático también

Answer 6

I believe you can use them both. Their meaning is very similar.