Tired of the old rims on your car? Give your car an entirely new look

Wheels are one of the elements that most characterize the exterior appearance of your vehicle. They also reflect the style, character, and personality of your vehicle. Old, rusty, or scratched rims reduce the value of your vehicle, while new, shiny, and stylish rims give your vehicle a more attractive and modern look.

Replacing your wheels not only has aesthetic benefits, but performance benefits as well. The size, weight, and material of your wheels affect your vehicle’s handling, braking, fuel economy, and comfort. These factors must be considered when replacing wheels.

What are the benefits of changing rims?

Better handling in curves: Tires with wider treads and thinner sidewalls on larger rims primarily improve vehicle cornering and handling.

Better braking performance: Larger rims allow you to fit larger brake rotors and calipers. This reduces stopping distances and prevents the brake system from overheating. 

Better handling: Larger wheels allow the tires to maintain better contact with the ground. This improves handling and reduces the risk of skidding. 

Better fuel economy: Wheel weight influences fuel consumption. Light alloy wheels use less fuel than steel wheels. 

Better comfort: The material of the wheels determines their ability to absorb vibration. Carbon fiber wheels absorb vibrations better than aluminum or chrome wheels and provide a more comfortable ride. 

Are there any disadvantages to changing rims?

Higher cost: Changing rims involves the cost of new rims and matching tires. Mounting and balancing the rims are also not included.

Higher maintenance expenses: Rims can be easily damaged by snow, ice, and salt, especially in winter. They should be cleaned and protected regularly.

Increased risk: Improper mounting can damage the wheel suspension. Using incompatible tires can also affect vehicle handling and safety.

Things to consider when changing wheels

Select a wheel that fits your vehicle: Depending on the model, make, and year of your vehicle, you should determine the appropriate wheel size. Parameters such as rim diameter, width, offset, and number of holes must be chosen correctly.

Change your tires, too: If you change your wheel size, you should also change your tires. Tire diameter, width, sidewall height, and speed index must match your wheels. 

But how do you install your new wheels?

Once you have decided on new wheels, they need to be installed on your vehicle. This process requires some tools and safety precautions. The steps are as follows:

• Lift the car with a jack and secure it with jack stands.
• The wheel nuts can be loosened with a wheel wrench or impact wrench.
• Remove the wheel and set it aside.
• Clean the hub with a cloth or brush. This will remove dirt and rust.
• Place the new rim on the wheel hub, making sure the holes are properly aligned.
• Tighten the wheel nuts manually and crosswise with a torque wrench.
• Lower the vehicle and repeat the process for the other wheels.

Don’t forget: Sometimes it pays to go to a quality shop. A quality shop can also perform work such as balancing, axle adjustment, and alignment. These activities will greatly increase the performance of the vehicle as well as the safety level of your car!

Coclusion

Replacing your wheels can improve both the appearance and performance of your vehicle. 

However, make sure you choose the right wheel and have it installed by a quality shop. To select the right wheels for your vehicle, consider size, material, design, and price.

Failure to do so could reduce the value of your vehicle and jeopardize your safety.