Choosing The Right Car Rims Replacement For Your Vehicle

How do you pick the best car rims?

You can have the best engines, and the best car accessories, but without great wheels and tires, you’ll have an awful experience with your car. A wonderful car rim gives your car the stability it needs, increases efficiency and helps you steer well when manoeuvring in tight corners.

The wheel that came with your car might have gotten damaged, or you just want to get something new so that your car will look more visually pleasing. And you need a new rim.

You’re wondering, should I go for an OEM rim or an aftermath rim? What should I consider when getting a wheel replacement? How much should I spend on a wheel replacement? What type of rim replacement should I get for my car?

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR WHEN GETTING A WHEEL REPLACEMENT FOR YOUR CAR

What qualities should a car wheel have before you drop your money for it? Here are the things you should take into cognizance: 

1. What do you want the wheels for? Many times, people are unsure what they want a new wheel for. Before you replace your wheel, determine what you want from your new set of wheels. Do you want them for speed and durability? Or you want better control of your steering? Whatever your need, you should be sure first before going to dealer shop. When you get to the shop, tell the sales person what you need. He/she will get you the perfect wheels that meet your need. Als, be on the lookout for smooth, clean and stylish finish to your wheels. An awesome finish makes a wheel more aesthetically pleasing.

Timbren GMRCK25D Rear Suspension Enhancement System

2. Size or Diameter: With car wheels, having the best size fit is imperative. Most times, plus-sizing is a sure way to have more efficiency and speed for your cars. Plus-sizing is using wheels that a few inches more than the recommended wheel of your car. So, let’s say your car’s wheel size is 15’, getting a 16” wheel diameter is a plus-1 sizing. The average diameter for wheels is between 14” and 16”, while some of them are around 20”. For a street-worthy look, having an increased diameter is perfect; but for a better off-road performance and more tire sidewall, decreased diameter works well. To check for the right size for your wheel, check for the bolt pattern (the number of bolts and the diameter of the imaginary circle they created), and Pressure Monitoring System Compatibility.

Timbren DR1500DQ Suspension Enhancement System

3. Offset and Backspace With car wheels, having the best size fit A wheel’s offset measures the distance between the wheel’s mounting surface and the centreline of the wheel; while backspace is the distance between back edge and the mounting surface. When the backspace and offset are wrong, there is the high possibility of an interference between the body and steering components, reducing the car’s steering radius.  Offsets are categorized in three ways: Positive: The hub-mounting surface sits closer to the outboard side. With a large number, the farther the mass of the wheel gets pushed under the car, and this reduces the track’s width. Negative: The hub-mounting surface sits closer to the inboard side, and this increases the track width. Zero: The wheel’s hub-mounting surface aligns with the centreline

 

TYPES OF CAR WHEELS BASED ON WHEEL PIECE

When it comes to wheel’s type, there are two major types – based on the wheel casts used.

1. One-piece wheels: These are wheels made or cast as one piece. One-piece wheels are not as flexible as two-piece wheels.
2. Two-piece wheels: These wheels are made from two forged pieces. The centre portion and outer portion are forged differently, and then bolted together. Two-piece wheels are strong, are flexible and can combine finishes and alloys that aren’t possible with one-piece wheels. One major advantage of two-piece wheel is that when one piece is damaged, you can replace the damaged part.

 

TYPES OF CAR WHEELS BASED ON MANUFACTURING PROCESS

1. Cast Wheels: This is the most popular ways manufacturers make wheels. This method involves filling up a mould and allowing it cool. However, there are two are two ways major manufacturers make cast wheels: Gravity cast and low-pressure cast.
2. Forged wheels: These are the most expensive way of making car wheels. Forged wheels are forged out of a single chunk of aluminium billet. This method requires less alloy content; Two types of processes of making forged wheels: mould-form forging and machine forging.
3. Flow forged wheels: This method uses a hybrid method. A pre-mature cast rim is loaded into a machine that spins it. Flow-forged wheels are 25% lighter than cast wheels

 

 

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF CAR WHEELS BASED ON MATERIALS THEY’RE MADE FROM?

There are three main types wheels based on materials they’re made of:

• Steel Wheels

Steel wheels are cheaper, stronger, and the ideal choice for people who want wheels that can withstand harsh winter. Steel wheels are often covered with hubcaps.Steel Wheels

Steel wheels are cheaper, stronger, and the ideal choice for people who want wheels that can withstand harsh winter. Steel wheels are often covered with hubcaps.

 

Advantages of Steel Wheels

• These wheels are strong, hard to damage and can carry more load.
• When damaged, steel wheels are easy to repair because they already look rough and tough.
• Cheaper than alloy wheels. 
• Safe for harsh weather conditions such as winter.  

 

Disadvantages of Steel Wheels

• After being used for a while, the painting from a steel wheel wears off, exposing the steel, which is not visually appealing.
• These wheels offer little compatibility with vehicles they weren’t made for, making them pretty selective of cars.
• Steel wheels have extra “unsprung weight” (the portion of the car not supported by the suspension, i.e., brakes, that lowers your car’s centre of gravity, and this decreases your car’s agility and ability to accelerate.
• They are limited in size, with most steel wheels coming in 16” size rims.

 

• Magnesium Wheels

Magnesium wheels are produced by casting, and are the most expensive type of wheels.

 

Advantages of Magnesium Wheels

• Very light, offering better mileage
• Are aesthetically pleasing, offering the car an amazing look.
• They spread the heat from brakes evenly, making your car’s brake more efficient.

 

Disadvantages of Magnesium Wheels

• Because of the light weight of magnesium wheels, you may lose or experience reduced grip, making it likely that you will slip on an icy road.
• After being used for a while, the painting from a steel wheel wears off, exposing the steel, which is not visually appealing.

 

• Alloy Car Wheels

Alloy wheels are made of alloy materials, usually aluminium. Alloy wheels come in a wide variety, and have better grip than Steel wheels.

 

Advantages of Alloy Car Wheels

• They are lighter than Steel wheels, and have better performance, thanks to the design of the wheel that allows cool air flow over the brake caipers and rotors.
• They are perfect for tubeless tires, thanks to how airtight they are.
• Alloy wheels help save fuel, thanks to the lighter rotational weight, which provides lighter increase in acceleration.
• Has reduced level of a possible brake fade.
• They are more aesthetically pleasing because they don’t rust easily.
• They have reduced unsprung weight, providing more precise steering input and improved cornering characteristics.

 

Disadvantages of Alloy Car Wheels

• Alloy car wheels have low durability. It is the most prone to damage.

OEM CAR WHEELS VS AFTERMARKET CAR WHEELS

When replacing your car wheels, you have two options: An OEM – a wheel made by the company that made the original wheel; and Aftermarket Wheel – wheels made from third party companies.

OEM wheels are best for replacement wheels because they’re better, last longer and are perfect fits.

However, there are great aftermarket wheels that can do just as well as an OEM wheel.