We select the right wheels for the safety and reliability of your car. How to choose alloy wheels: main characteristics and questions Types of wheel rims for cars more details
Properly selected rims mean road safety and rational fuel consumption, increased transmission service life and a stylish look for your car.
Wheels are divided into two main groups: steel and alloy.
Steel stamped wheels consist of a rim and a disc welded to it. These parts are made by stamping from sheet steel and are connected to each other by resistance spot welding. After this, the discs are painted.
This method of making disks is simple and inexpensive. A large number of cars are equipped with steel wheels as standard from the factory. Installation of alloy wheels by the manufacturer on a car is usually an option. Although, recently, this trend has been decreasing in favor of alloy wheels.
Durable and inexpensive steel disks have high impact strength, so during strong impacts they do not split, but are deformed, which makes it possible to restore them even in cases of very strong crushing of the edges.
The main disadvantages of stamped disks are their large mass, which is not possible to reduce, since with a smaller wall thickness the strength characteristics are reduced, the tendency to corrosion if the protective coating is damaged, the uniform appearance and low manufacturing accuracy (and, therefore, possible problems with balancing). The large weight of the disc negatively affects the dynamics of acceleration and braking of the car, the performance of the suspension and driving comfort.
Alloy wheels They have unlimited design possibilities, high precision manufacturing, excellent heat removal from the brake unit, but most importantly, they are lighter than steel discs. These are general advantages. It is possible to specifically judge their pros and cons only by taking into account the method and alloy they are made from. There are many nuances here, the wheel is different.
Alloy wheels are made by casting or forging from high-strength alloys based on aluminum, magnesium or titanium. Magnesium and titanium wheels are lighter and stronger than aluminum, but magnesium is less resistant to corrosion, so magnesium wheels need to be coated with multiple layers of protective coatings, while titanium is too expensive. Therefore, they are used on very expensive, prestigious, or tuned sports cars that are not intended for everyday driving.
Cast aluminum wheels are approximately 15–30% lighter than steel wheels, depending on the design. This is their main advantage, since when installing such discs the weight of the unsprung parts of the car is reduced.
This means that when driving over uneven roads, the smoothness of the car improves by reducing vibrations and the life of suspension and transmission parts increases by reducing the loads acting on them.
Lightweight wheels quickly restore contact with the road surface when hitting an obstacle, which increases vehicle stability and controllability at high speeds.
Reducing the weight of each wheel by 1 kg is equivalent to lightening the body by 15-20 kg; this also has a positive effect on the dynamics of the car, since acceleration and braking require less force, which ultimately leads to an increase in the service life of the engine, transmission, braking system and to reduce fuel consumption.
In addition, discs made of light alloys provide better cooling of the brake mechanisms, firstly, due to the high thermal conductivity of the materials, and secondly, the ability to make a disc with very large holes (without loss of rigidity) and directed blades, which, when the wheel rotates, drive air to the brake .
Cast wheels are stronger and stiffer than stamped steel, they absorb impact better and retain their shape, but are less ductile because they have a granular internal structure. In the event of a very strong impact, the disc is not deformed, but splits, beyond the possibility of repair. In addition, a cast disc requires serious surface protection; without this, it quickly becomes covered with a whitish oxide film, which, on the one hand, is protective, but, on the other hand, spoils the presentation.
Forged wheels are produced by hot die stamping on presses of unique capacity - over 10,000 tons. This technology makes it possible to obtain wheel rims of record strength and low weight, since the metal acquires a multilayer fibrous structure as a result of forging. Forged wheels are 20 – 30% lighter than traditional cast wheels. In contrast, forged wheels do not burst under strong impacts, but bend without cracking. In this case, the blow must be very strong.
The corrosion resistance of a forged disc is significantly higher than that of a cast disc, which means that the requirements for surface protection are lower. Their disadvantages include high cost due to extremely expensive production equipment, and a limited number of models.
"Liquid forging", or high pressure casting. This technology is used by many Japanese companies. During production, presses of lower power are used than for forging (3000 - 5000 tons), this allows us to achieve a fine-grained metal structure and reduce production costs. And in terms of their strength properties, liquid forged wheels are significantly superior to cast ones, but do not reach the same level as solid forged ones.
Composite disks- a compromise between cast and forged - an attempt to reduce the disadvantages and emphasize the advantages of both. Wheel parts are made using different technologies, for example, the rim is forged, the disc is cast. They are connected with bolts, usually titanium, since steel fasteners are susceptible to electrochemical corrosion. Wheels with bolts are now in fashion, so many companies produce solid wheels with short false bolts that are purely decorative. To distinguish such a wheel from a prefabricated one, you should look at the disk from the back side. With a solid cast, the transition boundaries from the rim to the disc are continuous, without a seam. Prefabricated wheels probably do not have any technical advantages over solid cast ones. False bolts only increase the weight of the wheel, and they can also get lost, especially on our bumpy roads.
Thus, the choice of wheels for a car should be determined by your needs and the amount in your wallet. If you want to give your car a modern, stylish look, improve handling, smoothness, acceleration and braking dynamics, then your choice is cast alloy wheels. If you are involved in motorsports or love tuning, you should purchase forged wheels. And for car enthusiasts who value reliability, but are not ready to shell out a hefty sum for a set of alloy wheels, stamped steel wheels are suitable.
To choose the right disk, you need to know the following parameters: width and diameter of the disk, number and location of mounting holes, vehicle hub diameter, offset.
This is what the wheel design looks like
Installation dimensions can be determined from tire and wheel selection catalogs, or by direct measurement. Both should be done in specialized stores.
Disc diameter is selected according to the recommendation of the manufacturer of your car and corresponds to the tire diameter. Recently, there has been a strong trend towards increasing the mounting diameter: cars that have standard 15-inch wheels, for example, are being converted to 16-inch, 17-inch and even 18-19. This is explained by the desire to use low-profile tires, since their driving qualities are better, although comfort suffers, the likelihood of damage to the wheel rim increases, and the load on all suspension components and wheel bearings increases. You yourself must find a compromise between sport and comfort.
Rim width. The permissible deviation of the rim width from that recommended in the catalog is 0.5 - 1.0 inches for wheels with a mounting diameter of up to 14 inches; and 1.0 - 1.5 inches - for disks with a diameter of 15 inches or more. It is better, of course, to choose a disk of standard width. The use of either too wide or too narrow rims relative to the width of the tire profile (see figure) is undesirable, since this violates the design profile of the tire (the sidewalls are either compressed by the rim flanges or stretched on it), which deteriorates its driving characteristics - response to turning, resistance to slip, lateral rigidity.
There is also a “folk” way to select the width of the disk.
tire tread width – 20% = rim width
For example: 195/65R15;
width 195 mm - 20% = 156 mm;
divide by 25.4 (1 inch = 25.4 mm) = 6.1 inches, round to the nearest standard value, we get 6 inches - a rim of this width is needed for a 195/65R15 tire.
You need to understand that this method is not optimal and can only be used if it is not possible to use the catalog, because when determining the width of the rim, car manufacturers take into account not only the width of the tire tread, but also the profile height, dimensions and weight of the car, and etc.
Diameter of the circle on which the mounting holes are located- PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter). For example, PCD100/4 means that this diameter is 100 mm, and the number of holes is 4. It is impossible to install disks in violation of the PCD diameter - this will lead to the fact that of all the nuts or bolts, only one will be fully tightened, while the remaining holes “ will lead away,” and the fasteners will remain untightened or tightened skewed, and the fit of the wheel to the hub will be incomplete. While driving, such a wheel will “beat”, in addition, not fully tightened nuts will unscrew by themselves.
In addition, the disk is selected according to the diameter of the central hole(if the error is minus, you cannot put the wheel on the hub) and according to the characteristics of the mounting holes: tightening the bolts (nuts) “to a plane,” “to a sphere,” or “to a cone.”
Wheel offset (ET)- this is the distance between the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the rim and the mounting plane of the wheel. The offset can be zero, positive, or negative. The offset is indicated, for example, ET30 (mm), if its value is positive, or ET-30, if negative, or in the words OFFSET, DEPORT.
The larger the ET value, the deeper the disc “sits” in the wheel niche. The lower the ET, the more the disc protrudes outward from the wheel well. Therefore, car owners often strive to reduce disc overhang.
On the image: On the left is a wheel with a standard offset ET, on the right is a wheel with a reduced offset ET.
The tolerance for changes in offset is plus or minus 5-8 mm from what is indicated in the catalogue.
Of course, reducing the offset makes the wheel track wider, slightly increases the stability of the car, the car corners more confidently and takes on a stylish racing look. But at the same time, the impact of shocks from road irregularities on the steering wheel increases, and this does not have the best effect on handling. In addition, the load on the wheel bearings of the suspension increases. Tires that protrude excessively from the wheel arches will throw dirt onto the side of the body and side windows and may touch the wheel arches.
In order for the car to be not only beautiful, but also safe, you should not abuse the width of the rim and the reduced offset; it is advisable not to change the parameters beyond the specified tolerances.
On tuning and sports modifications, the offset is changed, but this is done in conjunction with a number of other changes to the car.
In any case, after replacing the wheels, taking precautions, you need to conduct a thorough test - drive the new wheels to feel how the car's behavior has changed.
And one more piece of advice. Today it is not economically profitable to have one set of wheels, because this means the need to re-align the tires during the seasonal wheel change. Firstly, for 3-4 reassemblies you will pay an amount equivalent to the cost of one disk. Secondly, each re-flashing causes, albeit small, but still damage to the tires, which after a while will begin to leak air at the joints with the disks. Thirdly, when beading, scratches on the disk are possible, which over time lead to its corrosion. Plus, there are queues at the tire shop when winter “suddenly” comes. Having two sets (summer and winter) mounted wheels can make your life much easier: you will save your time, save some money and extend the life of your wheels and tires.
Alloy wheels are one of the most popular types of light-alloy car wheels among both motorists and manufacturers. Such wheels are not only reliable in operation, but also have an original appearance, which adds individuality to any vehicle.
1. Disk settings
Before purchasing alloy wheels for your car, you should find out and understand their parameters so that the chosen model exactly matches the make of the vehicle.
The following are distinguished: parameters of alloy wheels:
Disc rim width or seat width (inches)– is determined by the distance between the inner sides of the side edges of the cast disk. It is important that the seat width matches the width of the tire, otherwise it will affect the driving characteristics of the vehicle and can even lead to tragic consequences.
Wheel rim diameter or mounting diameter (inches)– is determined by the diameter of the annular part of the rim, but does not take into account the height of its edges. This indicator should be comparable to the inner diameter of the tire.
Diameter of mounting holes (PCD), mm– the parameter is determined depending on the number of mounting holes and the distance between them. To calculate this indicator, it is necessary to multiply the distance between the holes by a coefficient corresponding to their number (for 3 holes use a coefficient of 1.155, for 4 - 1.414, for 5 - 1.701). Under no circumstances should you install disks with a PCD value that differs from the normal value for each car brand, since the fastening bolts will be tightened skewed, which will prevent proper centralization.
Central hole diameter (DIA), mm– a parameter that determines the degree of compliance of the alloy wheel with the car. This diameter should be equal to the diameter of the landing cylinder located on the vehicle hub. Their exact alignment will ensure perfect wheel alignment. Often manufacturers, trying to make discs as universal as possible, produce a product with a specially large central hole diameter. In this case, special adapter rings are used for alignment.
Disc offset (ET - Germany, DEPORT - France or OFFSET - other countries), mm– is determined by the distance between the disk mounting plane (mount) and the rim symmetry plane (an imaginary line dividing the rim exactly in the center). This parameter may not be included in the disc labeling, as it is not mandatory. But the disc offset must comply with the instructions for the car, because the load on the suspension and turning mechanism depends on it.
Number of humps– this is the number of protrusions on the rim of the disk where the tire lands. They are designed to securely secure the tire beads while driving.
X-factor, mm– conditional parameter, which is determined by the distance between the disk mounting plane and the surface of its internal part. The presence of such space makes it possible to install the disc on a car in which the brake system protrudes beyond the mounting plane.
The parameters of alloy wheels can be found out by looking at their markings. Let's look at an example of markings applied to a cast wheel: 7½ J x 17 H2 3x120 ET30 d51.7, where 7½ is the seat width of the wheel rim; J – denotes the profile of the rim flanges (in addition to this option, JJ, JK, K, B, D, P are often found in rims for passenger cars); 17 – disk mounting diameter; H2 – indicates the presence of humps on the rim of the disc and their number. 3x120 is the number of holes for fasteners and their location diameter (PCD). ET30 – disc ejection. d51.7 – diameter of the central hole of the disk (DIA).
2. Advantages and disadvantages of alloy wheels
Like any other product, alloy wheels have their advantages and disadvantages. Among benefits alloy wheels:
The weight of alloy wheels is approximately 15-20% less than the steel version, which helps reduce pressure on the vehicle's chassis system, add smoother driving, reduce shock loads on the suspension and improve performance.
Excellent thermal conductivity of the discs, which eliminates overheating of the car's brake system.
Thanks to the coating of the disc surface with an oxide layer, it is reliably protected from corrosion.
An original appearance and an unlimited selection of designs and casting patterns, which allows any motorist to find wheels to suit his taste.
High precision is observed during production, which ensures perfect balancing, and this reduces wear of bearings, tires, hubs and increases driving comfort.
Among shortcomings alloy wheels:
A high percentage of defects in production, since products are produced in large volumes.
High degree of fragility (if there is a strong impact, alloy wheels can simply split or crack).
Unsuitable for repair (although repair services for alloy wheels exist, but in very limited quantities and at a high cost).
You can rarely find alloy wheels on sale individually, since they are mainly sold as a set. Therefore, if one disk breaks, the car owner will most likely have to buy a whole new set.
As for the cost of alloy wheels, it is impossible to attribute it to advantages or disadvantages, since it all depends on what to compare with. For example, compared to stamped wheels, the price of castings may seem overpriced. But compared to forged options, the cost of casting is relatively affordable.
3. Countries and manufacturers
Alloy wheels are produced in many countries around the world. As for the amount of casting exports to the world market, the leader in this area is China. But most of the discs produced in China are fakes and replicas of well-known brands from other countries.
If we judge the reliability and originality of alloy wheels, then by this criterion the leaders are the USA, Italy, Germany and Japan. Let's look at a few examples of well-known brands from these countries that have proven themselves to be the best and have received recognition from motorists all over the world.
Alloy wheels production Germany:
BBS is a company whose products have already become a legend, although it has only been operating since 1970. And it gained its fame thanks to alloy wheels for motorsport. BBS products are supplied to the assembly lines of such automakers as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Maserati, RollsRoyce, Jaguar and others. Retro-style wheels are especially popular among customers.
ALUTEC - the casting of this manufacturer, which appeared in 1996, is recognized by many experts as the strongest and lightest thanks to its secret production technology.
Alloy wheels production Italy:
OZ Racing is a company founded in 1971, and to this day remains one of the leaders in the development and production of alloy wheels for racing cars and production cars. The philosophy and advantages of this manufacturer's products lie in the experience gained in many international races (for example, Formula 1). This brand pays a lot of attention to the style and appearance of its castings.
Arcasting – founded in 2001, the company now occupies one of the leading positions in the production of alloy wheels. This brand produces many wheels with fashionable designs and impeccable quality. As for quality, in 2003 the manufacturer received a certificate from the International Organization for Standardization 9001/2001. What else can serve as a guarantee of confidence in this company?
Alloy wheels production USA:
ADV.1 is a luxury manufacturer that makes its products only to order. This ensures a perfect fit for each individual vehicle make. The brand's philosophy is to move away from templates in the design of alloy wheels and take into account the individuality of customers.
Rotiform - disc models from this manufacturer are distinguished by their futuristic design, variety of shapes and colors. Wheels from this brand are especially popular among designers and studios that tune and “pump up” cars.
Vossen is a manufacturer of exclusive alloy wheels that has been striving to provide motorists with unsurpassed quality and unusual design for 25 years. Thanks to this company, concave models of alloy wheels have become popular. The brand's philosophy is the pursuit of innovation.
Alloy wheels production Japan:
WaldInternational is a manufacturer specializing in tuning premium cars. Now the company is widely known outside of Japan and is one of the trendsetters in the world of tuning. Separately, the company develops entire product lines for each customer, including Bentley, Lexus, BMW, RangeRover.
Enkei – now the discs of this company, founded in 1950, are popular not only in their homeland, but also far beyond its borders. It specializes in the production of wheels for racing, rallying, drifting, and everyday driving.
4. What is the difference between cheap alloy wheels and expensive ones?
Today the choice of alloy wheels is simply huge. Just like the assortment, the range of prices for discs is also huge.
The price of a disc includes the cost of production, the cost of delivery to the consumer, a fee for a trademark and, in some cases, a marketing component.
Sometimes a high price is not a guarantee of quality products, just as a low price is not always a guarantee of fakes and low-quality discs. Therefore, when choosing disks, we strongly recommend that you study reviews on the Internet and watch videos of operational tests, as otherwise you may stumble upon low-quality products.
Let's try to find out the difference between expensive alloy wheels (from well-known brands, excluding the option of fakes) and cheap ones.
1. Expensive disks are perfectly centered and have impeccable geometry, which cannot be said about all the cheap options, among which there are sometimes even crooked ones.
2. For expensive discs, their quality is monitored at all stages of production, so by overpaying money, the buyer can have no doubt about the quality of the product. Cheap discs are often simply poured into molds and waited for the metal to harden, which is why cases of poor quality are not uncommon among such products.
3. Each well-known manufacturer of expensive alloy wheels has its own alloy recipe, which has been developed and improved over the years. And in cheap models they can use a monoalloy of aluminum. And although it is strong, it is fragile.
4. The external design of expensive alloy wheels is impeccable: the surface is perfectly smooth, and the painting is done with high precision and using high-quality paint. In cheap options, the paint may peel off after several trips.
5. The performance characteristics of expensive models are characterized by good resistance to external influences and shock. Cheap options are only suitable for use on a flat surface, as otherwise they will quickly crack.
6. The service life of expensive disks is much longer (they last for decades) than cheap ones; in addition, expensive models are guaranteed without any problems.
7. Expensive wheels do not harm the environment, since their production complies with all environmental legislation.
8. The image created by expensive discs cannot be compared with the image created by cheap options. A good car will look more harmonious with expensive castings from famous brands.
5. Nuances of choice
When choosing alloy car wheels, the buyer should consider the following aspects:
Car make and model; Compliance of disks with the required sizes; Possible operating conditions.
The most correct decision would be to purchase alloy wheels made specifically for a specific car brand. In this case, these disks will be ideal and there will be no problems with their installation. But this option is not always acceptable for a motorist (for example, he may not like the design), so some nuances of choice should be taken into account.
Nuances of choice alloy wheels:
Before purchasing castings, you need to find out in what conditions the discs will be used, since the external environment will significantly affect their safety. Harsh operating conditions lead to scratches and peeling paint.
Alloy wheels are typically made from either an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy, each of which has its own advantages. Aluminum is lightweight and not sensitive to corrosion, but has low ductility, which is why it often cracks. Magnesium is more flexible, but has other disadvantages. Which alloy to choose depends on the client's needs and preferences.
It is worth paying attention to the design of the discs and taking into account that they will need to be washed, and fancy shapes are much more difficult to wash than simple ones.
The dimensions of the selected casting should not differ from the standard one by more than 2 inches, as this will degrade the performance of the product.
To fasten the cast structure, you must remember to select bolts of a special length, which will facilitate installation.
We must remember that the warranty only applies to alloy wheel models that were selected in accordance with the instructions for the car.
Before purchasing, you should definitely check for a quality certificate not only from the manufacturer, but also domestic.
Experts do not recommend using alloy wheels in winter.
You should not choose the cheapest casting options.
6. What tires should I wear?
Typically, a motorist selects alloy wheels to match an existing set of tires. But it also happens that tires need to be selected after purchasing cast structures.
The main rule that must be remembered when choosing tires for wheels is that the tires must match the size of the alloy wheels and fit perfectly on them. If the tires are too large for the rims, their operation will be problematic. And, if they turn out to be very small, then their installation will be problematic.
If the wheels you choose are expensive and from a well-known brand, then the right decision would be to buy the same tires for them. In order not to make a mistake in your choice, we recommend visiting thematic automotive forums and websites, where you can read the available information or ask your questions.
Often manufacturers of alloy wheels or Distributing companies immediately recommend tires for them, and some even produce them themselves. This option makes life much easier for the motorist, because you won’t have to worry about selecting tires in addition to wheels.
Geometric parameters of the disk
When choosing wheels for “ordinary” use (we do not take into account various types of tuning), we strongly recommend that you stick to the parameters that are as close as possible to the factory ones. Why is this so important? Significant changes in parameters such as width, offset, diameter and weight of the disk can affect both the safety and ease of driving the vehicle, and the service life of the chassis components. So, for example, if we talk about the diameter of the disk, then its too large value (with the same outer diameter of the wheel) will adversely affect its weight.
When choosing rims, the proverb “measure seven times” is true.
More wheel weight means more unsprung masses, which, in turn, leads not only to an increased load on the suspension, but also to a deterioration in the smoothness of the vehicle. Also, due to greater inertia, a heavy wheel follows the road profile less readily, while a lighter wheel maintains tire contact with the surface longer, improving vehicle stability. In addition, an increase in wheel weight to some extent worsens equally important characteristics - the braking and acceleration dynamics of the car. Needless to say, larger diameter wheels shod with low-profile tires are easier to damage on Russian roads.
Larger diameter wheels shod with low-profile tires are easier to damage on Russian roads
An excessive increase in wheel width coupled with wider tires to a certain extent has its advantages (the car’s susceptibility to lateral loads improves), but there are, perhaps, more disadvantages: in addition to the increase in weight, this can have a worse effect on the vehicle’s stability when driving along longitudinal unevenness. On a rut, a car with wider wheels will obviously be less stable, and its handling will become more “nervous”. But even more “harmful” is playing with the wheel’s run-in, which can worsen the situation even more: the smaller the run-out (the wheel “sticks out” more), the more the optimal wheel running-in shoulder is disrupted (most often negative), the more sensitive it becomes to irregularities steering, and the load on the chassis elements is greater. Another danger of increasing the break-in shoulder is the lack of a stabilizing torque when braking with one of the faulty brake circuits. How far can you deviate from the standard parameters? There is no clear answer, because the chassis of each car is individual and reacts to such changes differently, but changes in offset by 2-3 mm most often remain without consequences.
When choosing, don’t be lazy and “try on” the rims to the tires - this can be done in numerous tire calculators. The rim should not be too wide or too narrow: for example, for a 205/55R16 tire, the rim width should range from 5.5 to 7.5 inches, but it is better to stick to the middle ground and go with a 6.5 x 16 rim.
Case material and price
The fact that alloy wheels are lighter than stamped ones should not mislead you. As a rule, a cast disk is either similar in weight or slightly lighter than a comparable steel one. However, most often when replacing disks, car owners try to increase the diameter of the wheel, and this entails an inevitable increase in weight, which, as we have already found out, does not lead to anything good. As a rule, an increase in rim diameter by 1 inch, coupled with an increase in tire width, makes the wheel assembly heavier by an average of 20–30%. But chasing low weight is also reckless. If a tire store salesperson offers you a “cast” that is too light, be wary: little-known companies, most often of Chinese origin, often actually produce extremely light wheels that do not stand up to criticism in terms of their strength.
Documents talking about the certification of Chinese wheels often turn out to be “fake” - not only will you be tortured to “roll” such wheels, but you’ll have to look for new ones to replace the ones that burst!
Forged wheels, of course, differ for the better in this sense: they are noticeably stronger and lighter, but due to the labor intensity of manufacturing, their price is noticeably higher, and the supply on the market is poorer: only 10% of the presented wheel manufacturing companies have in their assortment of forged wheels. “Forging” has another feature: when hitting an obstacle, the disc may retain its integrity, but the sidewall of the tire will take the entire impact, which in most cases is pointless to restore. Flying into holes, as you can see, is unprofitable in any case.
In addition to many Chinese ones, discs from some Russian manufacturers, and less often from European ones, also suffer from low strength. That is why when choosing, you should pay special attention to the status and integrity of the brand. If you don’t have such confidence, then it’s time to remember the golden words of Boris Razor from the film “Big Snatch”: “Weight is reliability!”
Price is perhaps the determining factor when choosing wheels. And when it comes to tight finances, I recommend not chasing the beauty and size of rims - it is much wiser to choose standard and affordable stampings, and the money saved is better spent on high-quality tires - in this case, the performance characteristics of the car will remain at the same level, including the stability of the wheels to breakdown and ease of straightening disks when they are deformed. The design issue is resolved by installing additional caps (either factory or non-standard). It's another matter if the budget is not limited. In this case, the choice is simplified: it is best to consider the most proven brands. It would be better if it was a light forging, but even here we do not recommend chasing a low tire profile - safety is more expensive.
Estimated prices in online stores for the most popular models of disks suitable forFordFocus 3 (PCD 5*108, Dia 63.3):
The design of domestically produced cars is the weak link of this very production. To the design department AVTOVAZ More sharp arrows were fired than during the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War between England and France in the 14th-15th centuries...
Arrival in Tolyatti French managers from Renault gives reason to believe that foreign partners will finally help their Russian colleagues in solving this difficult task - making beautiful cars. Indeed, even Patrick Le Quemé, the leading designer of Renault, announced the fruits of cooperation between Russian designers and French ones, which should “ripen” in two or three years.
In order for these fruits to really appear, an Englishman has been sent to Tolyatti Anthony Grade, former vice-president of the Renault style center, responsible for exterior design at the company. The new director of the design department (directorate) at AVTOVAZ will work on the design of new Lada models and update old ones.
It won't be easy for Grade at AVTOVAZ. Design is a troublesome, expensive business and, most importantly, does not bring immediate results. During a crisis, the top management of a Russian auto company thinks not about wonderful matters, but about tasks that require immediate resolution.
Wheels for a car are not just one of its parts, they are responsible for its reliability and safety. Thus, it is very important to know how to correctly select wheels for a car.
This seemingly insignificant detail can either turn your car into a special and respectable car, or completely ruin its appearance. Today you can choose wheels by brand and wheel size. It is absolutely not necessary to purchase them from the company that produced the car. Make it simpler - buy similar ones, but they may differ in the type of material, quality and structure of the knitting needles.
Types of wheels for cars
Everyone knows that wheel rims are made of light alloy (forged and cast) and steel (stamped).
Steel
This type is the most accessible and highly durable. They are perfect for cars that constantly cover considerable off-road distances. A strong impact can only slightly dent the stamped disc, which can then be easily repaired by the driver at the nearest service station.
Steel wheels are produced with low precision, which is easily eliminated during balancing. Also, some manufacturing companies began to produce high-precision stamped wheels.
This type, unfortunately, is why they are covered with a special protective coating: enamel, chrome, etc.
The main disadvantage of steel wheels is their heavy weight, which significantly impairs the performance characteristics of the car. They are also very unattractive and oblige their owner to purchase hubcaps.
Light alloy
Cast and forged wheels have an attractive appearance and come in a wide variety. They are characterized by high accuracy, which greatly facilitates balancing and eliminates radial and axial runout during movement. With them, your brakes will work more efficiently due to good ventilation and high thermal conductivity.
Alloy wheels are reliable and light weight. This makes them much easier to accelerate and stop than steel ones. Their use makes it possible to increase the service life of ball joints, shock absorbers, bushings and silent blocks. Also, light alloy wheels reduce the load on the suspension.
It is worth noting that all of the above features have a good effect on the dynamics of the car, its handling, stability and fuel consumption.
Today, aluminum and magnesium alloy wheels are produced. If you own a sports car, then magnesium ones are more suitable for you - they are lighter than aluminum ones, but not so resistant to corrosion.
Light alloys are divided into two types: forged and cast. The selection of cast wheels follows the same rules as steel ones. They are great for cars that have large disc brakes. Forged wheels are expensive, but they are lighter and stronger than cast wheels.
Characteristics
Regardless of the type and type of disks, as well as their brand and manufacturer, they are all characterized by a small list of parameters that you need to pay attention to when purchasing them:
- Wheel rim diameter. They are currently available in 10-19 inch diameters. The 13-16-inch ones are most in demand.
- Rim width. When purchasing, please note that the rim should always be 25-30% narrower than the profile, otherwise it will have a bad effect on the driving characteristics of your car.
- Diameter of mounting holes. This characteristic must correspond with high precision (almost to the millimeter) to the standard one, otherwise the wheel nuts may unscrew on their own.
- Diameter of the central hole. This parameter must fully match the axle hub or be sold with a set of special adapter rings.
- Wheel offset. It is calculated separately for each car brand. It should be positive if the hub protrudes relative to the middle of the rim, and neutral or negative if it is concave.
Video on how to choose wheels:
If, when choosing car wheels, you are guided only by their appearance and cost, then most likely your car is a frequent visitor to the service station. Remember, driving a car can lead to disastrous consequences.
How to choose wheels for a car.
Properly selected wheels mean road safety, rational fuel consumption, increased transmission service life, and most importantly, excellent design.
First, determine the width of the rim.
The width of the rim should be approximately 25% less than the width of the tire section. Let's say you are looking for wheels for 195/65 R15 tires. Its profile width is 195 mm. In inches it will be 7.68 (you need to divide 195 by 25.4). Subtract 25% from this value and round the resulting number to the nearest value from the standard series. Get 6 inches - the rim width is exactly what you need for a 195/65R15 tire.
Then determine the diameter of the disk.
The vast majority of modern cars run on 13-, 14-, 15- and 16-inch wheels. Recently, there has been a strong tendency to increase the mounting diameter; cars for which, for example, 13-inch wheels are standard, are transferred to 14 inch, 15 and even 16. This is explained by the desire to use low and ultra-low profile tires, since their driving qualities are better, although comfort suffers. Therefore, you yourself will have to find a compromise between sport and comfort, make a choice in favor of precise controls, fascinating design or soothing comfort.
Despite the apparent simplicity of rims, they have many mounting parameters, and each of them must meet the requirements of your car.
The diameter of the location of the fastening holes (indicated by PCD - Pitch Circle Diameter) and the number of these holes. For example, PCD100/4 - 4 holes on a diameter of 100 mm.
The diameter of the central hole of the disk (there is no DIA-resistant international designation).
On stock car wheels, the center hole is usually precisely fitted to the axle hub; in factories it is customary to center the wheel along it - its diameter is the landing diameter. But if you buy a disk in a store, do not be surprised that the central hole may be larger than expected. Manufacturers of spare parts often make a hole of a deliberately larger diameter and supply the disc with a set of adapter rings, which allows it to be used on different car models. In this case, the wheel is centered along the PCD.
Drive mounting options
When installing disks, it is necessary to take them into account, because with the standard size recommended by the manufacturer, disks may differ in this parameter.
PCD - Pitch Circle Diameter- diameter of the location of holes for fastening bolts.
For example: the VAZ fastening standard PCD 98/4 (or 4x98) corresponds to the fact that this diameter is 98 mm, and the number of fastening holes is 4 pcs.
DIA- The diameter of the central mounting hole for the hub, measured in mm.
Useful: You can almost always take a disk with a large hole and install an adapter ring that reduces this parameter. If the mounting hole is smaller, the wheel cannot be put on.
Wheel offset.
This is the distance between the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the rim and the mounting plane of the wheel. The offset can be zero, positive (the disc hub protrudes outward relative to the middle of the rim) and negative (the hub is recessed). For each car model, the offset is calculated so as to ensure optimal stability and controllability of the car, as well as the least load on the wheel bearings. The Germans designate the offset ET (for example, ET30 (mm), if its value is positive, or ET-30, if negative), the French - DEPORT, manufacturers from other countries usually use the English OFFSET.
| Disc markings | ||
All wheel rims, both stamped and cast, are marked in the same way. The marking is applied to the visible surface of the wheel rim and gives us complete information about its parameters.
More details about the standard size
5 J x 13H2 ET 30- standard rim marking for tubeless wheel 5 - rim width in inches. This size options are 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2 and 8 inches. J- a letter index containing information about the design features of the side flanges of the rim (angles of inclination, radii of curvature, etc.) Variants of this index: JJ, JK, K, L. 13 - mounting diameter of the disk in inches. This size options are 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 26 inches. H2- a letter index containing information about the shape and design of the humps. Designation options: H - hump (one-sided tackle), FH - flat hump (flat tackle), CH - combi hump (combined double-sided tackle), AH - advanced hump. ET 30- wheel offset (measured in mm). Designation options: OFFSET or DEPORT. |
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