May 03, 2018
There’s an old adage when it comes to cars that it’s the outside of the vehicle that initially hooks a driver and the inside of a vehicle that closes the deal. While we won’t speak for the various features found in vehicle interiors to help accomplish this, we will discuss one of the important exterior features that can make a vehicle much more attractive – the wheels.
There are various different types of wheels that vehicles can be outfitted with, with the two most popular being steel and alloy. This post will take a closer look at alloy wheels, and just what the “alloy” aspect of it means. Just think of this post as Alloy Wheels: 101.
Before we can get into the advantages of alloy wheels, it’s first important to discuss the alloy material. Specifically, when “alloy wheels” are discussed, it’s referring to a wheel made of a mixture of metals, such as aluminum or magnesium. Because of the metals that often make up alloy wheels, they’re also often referred to as “mag wheels.”
Alloy wheels are typically created via casting or forging, though other production methods throughout their history have included gravity casting. In the end, they’re touted for being lighter than steel wheels, and those that are forged are generally also more durable than those that are cast. Whether created via casting or forging, the manufacturing methods allow complex designs to be created, which helps alloy wheels achieve the look that many drivers yearn for to complement the styling of their vehicles.
Alloy wheels are generally more expensive to produce than steel wheels, and because of this they’ve historically been more of an aftermarket option, unless you were purchasing a sports car or high-end, luxury vehicle. However, that changed around the turn of the century, and more automakers are currently offering alloy wheels even on certain trims of compact, sub-compact and budget vehicles.
The alloy material has many advantages over others, many of which translate over into wheel benefits as well. Here’s a look at some of the top benefits to outfitting a vehicle with alloy wheels:
As you can see, alloy wheels are a lot more than just another type of wheel. For many, they’re the only type of wheel that matters today. Now that you know what an “alloy wheel” really means, you can make the decision if this is the right type of wheel for your vehicle.
For more information on alloy wheels, and to learn more about their benefits and advantages, contact us today.
July 17, 2019
January 17, 2019
April 04, 2018
When you think of a vehicle's most important components, what comes to mind?
The engine? The transmission? What about the wheels?
Yes, it's hard to imagine a car without wheels. Even though the engine and transmission are critical components to any vehicle's drivetrain, without wheels, a vehicle wouldn't be able to roll from place to place. But in order to have functional, rolling wheels, there first needs to be a viable wheel hub assembly. Without a viable wheel hub assembly, or WHA, the vehicle's wheels won't perform properly, thereby limiting the potential of the vehicle itself.