Abstract: The running characteristics of a vehicle wheel with a tire are improved by applying axial pressure with a pressure application ring (26) which temporarily compresses the flanks of a tire (10) to such an extent that a portion of the axially outwardly facing surface of the respective tire bead lifts off from the respective rim flange. This permits the tire bead to press itself, in response to the air pressure in the tire, into the corner formed between a cylindrical portion of the rim and the flange portion of the rim. The ring-shaped pressure application ring (26) comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged ring sectors (7). These sectors can be adjusted in their radially inwardly or outwardly to thereby adapt the diameter of the pressure application ring for use in connection with a wide range of tire diameters.