Steel or aluminum rims for the winter?

This question worries many drivers. There is a widespread belief that aluminum rims should not be installed in winter because they may not withstand the frost, sand, salt and gravel scattered on Polish streets. Is it so?

As long as no sane driver doubts the need for replacement summer tires for the winter, when the temperature drops below zero, the question of which wheels are more suitable for winter is not so obvious.

Anti-corrosion layer

Many drivers believe that aluminum rims, i.e. light steel alloys are more prone to corrosion. Small scratches or even splinters lead to the fact that chemicals lying on a snowy track penetrate into the structure of the alloy, gradually destroying it. Of course, one cannot but agree that the light alloy rim is subject to corrosion with the appearance of scratches or defects. However, it is the steel rim that is more susceptible to such processes. The process of painting aluminum rims usually takes place in three stages: powder coating (brown layer), applying the actual varnish (color layer) and applying a colorless (protective) varnish. Before being sold, finished wheels undergo anti-corrosion tests.

Steel wheels, on the contrary, do not have an anti-corrosion layer. More importantly, the near impossibility of thoroughly washing steel rims from the inside without unscrewing the wheel increases the risk of corrosion. If hubcaps are used when riding in winter, gravel on the streets or small stones get stuck between the hubcap and the rim, scratching it. In this case, you should pay attention to the fact that the use of caps makes it difficult to keep the rims clean, forcing them to be removed when washing the car. Therefore, if we are pragmatists, we simply do not use them.

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Summer tires in winter?

Take care of your tires

Today, most of the alloys available on the market have an additional anti-corrosion layer. But if someone puts on old, rusted, with cavities for the winter, then he can be sure that their condition will worsen several times in two months. The salt will just start eating them. Those who want to save money on buying new drives can refurbish them before replacing them, but...nothing more. Choosing the right paint color is not an easy task ...

Less resistant to damage?

It is a myth that aluminum rims are less resistant to mechanical damage than steel rims. In winter, it may happen that, for example, we skid and stop at the nearest curb, damaging the rim. It should be remembered that aluminum wheels, especially from well-known manufacturers, are more resistant to this type of damage, less prone to deformation and corrosion. Of course, a lot depends on how fast we drive and how hard we hit an obstacle. And here it does not matter whether our rim will be made of steel or aluminum, because it still does not protect us from damage. When choosing a rim, the brand of the manufacturer is also important, and hence the quality of the product. Let's face it: the worse the manufacturer, the cheaper the product, the worse the quality.

Proponents of installing steel rims in winter also argue that an aluminum rim can simply break on impact. True, but in the same case, the steel rim can also be damaged so much that it can only be thrown away.

However, the point is that a steel rim is easier to straighten. And the cost of such repairs - provided that the damage corresponds to it - is lower. – The problem of repairing alloy wheels is also the selection of the appropriate color during the varnishing process. Steel rims come in black and silver, while aluminum rims come in a wide range of colors. It is really difficult to choose a specific paint color during a renovation. In addition, the repair of aluminum rims is always controversial, because after deformation, the structure of aluminum is irreversibly changed, says Justina Kachor from Netcar sc.

What to look for when choosing discs?

Some aluminum rim sellers urge you to buy their products under the slogan "winter aluminum rims". Usually, their predisposition for winter use ends with an easy-to-clean rim pattern, however, sometimes such rims have a modified, more chemical-resistant varnish composition.

“When choosing the rims that we want to use in winter, we should be guided primarily by the simplicity of the design and the smallest number of spokes, so that it is easier to clean the dirty rim,” says Justina Kachor. Owners of cars with aluminum rims are also provided with special detergents. After cleaning the rim of dirt and rinsing it with water, it is also recommended to apply a product that reduces the adhesion of any dirt to the surface of the rim. What else to look for when choosing aluminum wheels for the winter? – Remember that mechanically damaged discs should not be used in winter. Places of damage in contact with moisture and salt will quickly rust. It is also not recommended to ride on chrome and highly polished wheels. They have a rather shallow protective layer of varnish and are therefore more susceptible to corrosion due to the chemicals sprayed on our roads in winter. Sometimes the manufacturer himself stipulates the impossibility of using discs in winter due to the sensitivity of the paint to chemicals. And a very important thing that is often underestimated: aluminum rims need to be regularly looked after, removing dirt from them as often as possible, especially in winter, sums up the owner of the NetCar website.

When buying steel wheels, such dilemmas do not arise. We buy wheels recommended by their manufacturer for a specific car model. You then need to provide the seller with accurate vehicle details so they can choose the right wheels. Don't try to choose the drives yourself: they all look very similar, but their parameters should be as recommended, and there is no room for confusion.

Advantages and disadvantages of steel and aluminum - summary

Each solution has its strengths and weaknesses. The reasons for the “feathers” are the lower purchase cost, easier and cheaper repair of mechanical damage, less problematic replenishment of a set of rims in case of damage to one of the rims. The main disadvantage is their carded, unattractive appearance, as well as a high susceptibility to corrosion. The possibility of using caps does not save the situation, on the contrary.

– Contrary to appearance, aluminum rims have a more durable layer of varnish – with the exception of the aforementioned specific rims – and provide us with an invaluable, pleasant aesthetic experience. Their repair is problematic. There is also a risk of problems with the purchase of 1 piece in case of damage to the rim - the NetCar.pl specialist calculates. The choice of rim depends on the preferences of the users themselves. From a purely practical point of view, feathers are a cheaper solution, so if this is a key issue, it will be difficult to argue with this argument.