Choosing aluminum wheels, what is a little about popular alloys

Do you want to upgrade your car? Installed aluminum wheels. Even dealers say that this is one of the main elements that should be replaced in a car before selling. Even the simplest alloys look better than black feathers. This is known not only to the owners of cars for sale, but also to drivers who want to improve the appearance of their car. However, the visual aspect is not everything. What to look for when choosing aluminum wheels?

What is an alloy wheel?

A cast wheel is a rim on which the tire is mounted and placed on the hub of the car. Together with the tires, it forms a wheel, thanks to which the car moves and maintains traction.

Aluminum wheels are distinguished by precision, attractive appearance and low (in some cases) weight. They also provide better brake cooling, which is especially important in sports cars.

How are aluminum wheels made?

The method of manufacturing aluminum alloy wheels affects their parameters, as well as the price of the product. Currently, the following methods for the production of alloy wheels are distinguished:

● gravity casting;

● casting under low pressure;

● rotational stretching;

● forging;

● twisting.

The most popular method for manufacturing aluminum rims is low pressure casting. Thanks to it, you can reduce costs and at the same time ensure the proper quality of the product. On the other hand, the twisting method guarantees the highest level of production. However, this comes with the highest cost.

Sports alloy wheels - is it worth it?

Lighter component weight reduces unsprung mass. However, this only works up to a certain point, because larger aluminum rims can cause vibrations that are transmitted to the body. It should be openly acknowledged that, especially in luxury cars, SUVs and other large vehicles, rims larger than 19 inches are becoming increasingly popular.

Benefits of sports alloy wheels

The undoubted advantage of sports alloy wheels is their ability to maintain factory condition. All thanks to the fact that they are resistant to corrosion. The same cannot be said about steel parts, which rust quite quickly. Aluminum alloy components are just nicer and help dissipate heat better.

Where are the markings on the alloy wheels?

Looking at rims without tires, you can see the markings in different places. Manufacturers place them under a cover that covers the mounting holes, on the inside or on the sides of the rim temples.

Of course, the described dimensions and parameters are not presented descriptively, but with the help of symbols. For the correct selection of goods, it is necessary to understand the influence of one or another parameter on the behavior of the car and the choice of tires.

How are alloy wheels marked?

To understand well, consider the most important markings on alloy wheels. To get acquainted with their characteristics, you will need several characters, among which:

● PCD - the number of fixing screws and the diameter of the circle on which they are located;

● OS – inner diameter of the centering hole on the rim;

● wheel flange profile - the letter indicates the type of car on which aluminum wheels should be installed;

● cross-sectional profile of the rim - affects the rigidity of the rim;

● ET – rim overhang, i.e. the dimension between the mounting plane and the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the wheel.

Alloy wheels 15 7J 15H2 ET35, 5×112 CH68, so what?

You already know the designations of the most important parameters, and now it's time to decipher them. This will allow you to check which alloy wheels to put in.

Number, i.e. aluminum rim size

For 15, 16 or 17 (or any other) light alloy wheels, their size is always indicated next to the rim contour designation (H, H2, FH, FH2, CH, EH2, EH2+). In this particular case, you can see that the rim size is 15 inches. If we had the number 16 it would be 16" alloy wheels and 17" alloy wheels, which we would of course have with that number at the start. What does the symbol H2 mean? This indicates the presence of two humps visible in the section of the rim profile.

J, i.e. alloy wheel flange profile

The next symbol is the value next to the letter J, which in itself means that the profile of the alloy wheel flange has been adapted for passenger cars. The value that precedes it specifies the width of the rim in inches, which in this particular case is 7 inches.

Aluminum wheels and ET - what is it?

Going further, you will find the ET designation, which is offset (not to be confused with offset). In short, it's about how deep inside the wheel arch the rim sits. You can hide the wheel behind the body contour or pull the rim out. The number next to ET indicates the parameter value in millimeters.

PCD, i.e. number and distance between screws

Our sample alloy wheel by design has 5 mounting holes that are evenly spaced on a 112mm diameter rim. Other popular intervals include:

● 4×100;

● 4×108;

● 5×114;

● 5×120;

● 6x140.

CH68 - what is the last parameter about?

This is the inner diameter of the centering hole and is given in millimeters. It must match the outer size of the hub. In OEM products (produced by the manufacturer), the OC size matches the hole in the hub perfectly. For replacement, you can find a larger size. This is all to ensure that the wheels fit as many car models as possible. You will minimize workshop differences with centering rings.

Why aluminum rims and not steel?

The advantages of light alloy wheels:

• interesting appearance;
• resistance to cracks and breaks;
• relatively light weight.

The first benefit is aesthetics. Alloy wheels are simply better than steel wheels. And as you know, the appearance of the car is more important than ever before. That's why you can find aluminum rims even in vans!

Another issue is the impact on overload. Aluminum products can warp, but they rarely break or break. What does it mean? If necessary, you can simply straighten the wheels and put the tires back on.

And what else…?

Another reason is the lighter weight and therefore better performance of sports cars. At present, this mainly refers to modern rims, which are produced using the most advanced machine processes.

Aluminum wheels and running costs

It doesn't really matter if you want to install aluminum or steel rims - the tires will cost you the same. However, when visiting a vulcanization workshop, you will pay more for the replacement and installation of aluminum rims. They are more prone to scratches and are not capped. Therefore, they need to be handled more carefully.

How much does an alloy wheel cost?

Buying elements made of aluminum is more expensive. While used steel wheels will cost you 30-4 euros, well-maintained alloy wheels will cost much more. Not to mention the new ones, which often cost several hundred zlotys apiece.

When choosing alloy wheels, do not be guided only by aesthetic considerations and their size. The largest possible wheels will definitely reduce driving comfort. A lot also depends on the nature of your car and its application, so think carefully about your choice. In any case, good luck!