tires vs. tyres and what does "wear and tear" mean?

[Johanna]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #145 "Short Idioms Exam", question 4

Ben estimated how much wear and ......... the new tires could handle.

(a) tear
(b) abuse
(c) effect
(d) impact

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #145 "Short Idioms Exam", answer 4

Ben estimated how much wear and tear the new tires could handle.

Correct answer: (a) tear
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its tyres?

Johanna

[Conchita]

Some English words can be spelt differently according to the country. In the UK it's 'tyre', while in the US it's 'tire'.

[Alan]

It's all very tiring, isn't it? What a pity George Bernard Shaw didn't succeed in his mission to reform spelling!

A
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Zarinamo]

Hello,
I didn`t understand this idiom.
Please, help me.
Thank you

[Hapkido]

I would appreciate a little explaining for this sentence.
Ben estimated how much wear and tear the new tires could handle.