At the moment, in automobile stores you can find a variety of alloy wheels from different manufacturers. With the help of them, any car owner will be able to radically change the appearance of their iron friend, emphasizing their individuality. But is it worth it to buy an expensive alloy wheel on your car just for the sake of design? You will find the answer to this question in this article.
So, let's look at all the pros and cons of such parts. And we will begin, of course, with the pros. The main advantage of such disks is their low weight. Compared with conventional steel counterparts, this spare part has a lower weight by an average of 15-20 percent, and this has a positive effect on many processes taking place with the car. An alloy wheel with its curb weight can positively affect the smooth running of the machine, while a vehicle equipped with such disks has less engine load and spends less fuel. Of course, having installed this spare part, you do not need to rely on 30 percent fuel economy, but after a year of operation you will noticeably feel this difference, albeit a small one. Well, of course, since the wheels have less weight, it means that the brake pads also have less load , the replacement resource of which also increases. By the way, unlike the serial wheels that the manufacturer installs on the conveyor, 17-20 inch alloy wheels have more advanced ventilation characteristics, which plays an important role in the operation of brake pads (this is especially important on mountain serpentines).
As for the appearance of rust on the surface of the wheels, here the alloy wheels are completely protected from corrosion, which can not be said about steel counterparts. High resistance to moisture and other processes that occur with the car while driving is achieved thanks to the special oxide AL2O3, which will reliably protect your wheel from rust.
About the disadvantages
The disadvantages of this spare part are not so many, but still they are. And they consist in low resistance to mechanical damage in the event of a sharp collision on unevenness. The thing is that steel analogues can well absorb the sudden blow that fell on the chassis. And in case of deformation, such a wheel can be quickly and inexpensively repaired at any service station. An alloy wheel does not have such a feature, with a strong impact it immediately bends, after which no repair service will restore its original design and strength, and if it does, it will be done at a very expensive cost. But still, with careful handling and smooth collisions with pits (which, unfortunately, are not uncommon in our country), a car with such wheels has the hope of a long-lasting existence.
Summing up, we can confidently say that an alloy wheel is not only a beautiful thing, but also a guarantee of the safety of your car. So, if you decide to purchase this element of tuning, you are on the right track!