National Customized Wheel and Tire Day, occurring every February 28, was established with car lovers in mind. Let’s face it — car lovers put so much effort and money into ensuring their vehicles reflect their personalities and undeniable love for automobiles. This day honors them and pays homage to where tires came from, how they have developed over the years, and the inspiring future ahead. Wheels and tires are one of the many elements that make up a car. You could even argue that they’re the most important ones (apart from the engine) and the most expensive to maintain. We love how many people admire and respect their cars or ‘wheels!’
History of National Customized Wheel and Tire Day
People have been buying cars for ages to get from one destination to another. They’re how we go to work, go on road trips, and transport valuable pieces of furniture and large appliances. You can go almost anywhere in your car! But where would we be without wheels? Naturally, without wheels, you can’t use your vehicle. And imagine having to use your feet like the Flinstones — not likely!
Did you know that the exact location and date of the wheel’s invention are still unknown? Most scholars and experts believe the Mesopotamian civilization invented it. There is also early evidence of wheeled carts discovered in the Middle East, Europe, Eastern Europe, India, and China.
We’ve celebrated National Customized Wheel and Tire Day every year since 2020 to honor the invention that allows our cars to run and makes life easier. Although many vehicles, whether a simple sedan or S.U.V., come with a basic wheel setup, some cars and other more sporty modes of transportation require specific wheels. Petrol heads or car fanatics spend thousands of dollars upgrading and ‘pimping’ their rides. This day was specifically established for them. It’s all about appreciating the different custom wheels and tires people put on their vehicles.
National Customized Wheel and Tire Day timeline
The potter's wheel is created and becomes the earliest solid wooden wheel.
Wooden spoked wheels make their first appearance in the Krivoye Lake region of Russia.
Early light-alloy wheels made of magnesium alloys become the most popular choice for drivers.
‘Mag wheels,’ a term coined in the 70s, are associated with die-cast wheels made from modern aluminum alloy, plastic, or composite wheels.
National Customized Wheel and Tire Day FAQs
How many wheels are made in a day?
Approximately 364,000 bicycles are manufactured daily, amounting to 132,860,000 bikes and 265,720,000 bicycle wheels annually. If you count five tires — counting a spare tire — for each of the 77.9 million motor vehicles manufactured in 2020, that’s another 389.5 million wheels!
What inventions use the wheel?
Potter’s wheels were the first to be invented around 5,500 years ago in Mesopotamia. Meanwhile, the ancient Greeks made the wheelbarrow, a cart with one wheel.
How did wheels evolve?
The oldest wheel, a potter’s wheel, was invented in Mesopotamia around 3500 B.C. Three hundred years later, wheels were used to move Mesopotamian chariots.
National Customized Wheel and Tire Day Activities
Gift a friend a new set of wheels
When our friends can share our hobbies, we get more joy out of them, especially when it involves things people can enjoy together, like cars and motorbikes. Gifting a friend a new set of wheels is a great way to celebrate National Customized Wheel and Tire Day. You can ride off into the sunset or stay home and admire your cars together.
Go to an automobile museum
There are so many automobile museums in the United States. They’re the perfect spots to learn more about cars and their wheels. These museums can teach you a lot about wheels, and they will probably have some antique wheels in-house.
Subscribe to car magazines
Car and motorbike magazines provide hours of pleasure to car lovers, especially those who fantasize about customized vehicles and wheels tailor-made to complement their dream cars. It’s also an excellent gift for car-loving friends to keep up with trends and have visual aspirations to put up on their walls or in some inspirational scrapbook or file.
5 Interesting Facts About Wheels
Wheels catapulted civilizations
The wheel’s invention is considered one of the primary reasons civilizations have advanced.
Water wheels are very versatile
Many countries have used water wheels for water distribution and grain grinding for bread and other foods.
Trees inspired the wheel’s evolution
It is believed that the first wheels were round branches from trees.
Before wheels, there were planes and levers
Before the wheel was created, inclined planes and levers were used to move things around.
Wheels came a long way
Some scholars estimate that it took 300 years for wheels to be used for transportation after being used in pottery and toy making.
Why We Love National Customized Wheel and Tire Day
Customized wheels and tires are personal
Forget “Pimp My Ride” for a moment, and let’s think about the thought and effort that goes into customizing cars, especially their wheels. While wheels are largely practical, many petrol heads and car enthusiasts believe every car element should be customizable. It has become a form of artistic expression, and many people pour tons of time and money into building their dream cars.
We can appreciate unique vehicles
Think about how you feel when you’re stuck in traffic, and a beautifully customized car or motorbike passes you. We’re so numb to the basic S.U.V., sedan, or truck that we feel pleasantly surprised whenever we witness custom wheels and tires on the road. We love how this day celebrates that feeling.
It celebrates cars and motorbikes
Through the years, our cars and motorbikes have significantly evolved — from their designs to their colors and speeds. The one constant is their ability to make our lives easier by allowing us to move around more frequently and quickly. We use them every day and sometimes take them for granted. Let’s go back to honoring our modes of transportation and the wheels and tires that carry them.
National Customized Wheel and Tire Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 28 | Friday |
| 2026 | February 28 | Saturday |
| 2027 | February 28 | Sunday |
| 2028 | February 28 | Monday |
| 2029 | February 28 | Wednesday |
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