The wheels on the car are arguably the most important part of the car. Without the wheels, the car will not roll and thus will not drive. There are different types of wheels for different driving experiences, and it is important that you buy wheels that best fit your car and your lifestyle. The different types of wheels that will be discussed in this article are steel, alloy, forged, casted, and chrome.
Different Types of Wheels
The different types of wheels include steel wheels, alloy wheels, forged and cast wheels and chrome wheels. Sets of wheels (or rims) have a large spectrum for pricing, from 1 wheel rim costing less than a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
Steel Wheels
These types of wheels are your typical go-to wheels. They are inexpensive and function great as a standard wheel. They will get the job done without hurting your bank account. If you are not looking to spend a lot of money, then steel wheels are the perfect option for you.
One thing to consider is as they are cheap, they do have some problems. Steel, as you may know, is not one of the lighter metals, and these wheels are very heavy. They are not easy to transport due to their weight and they may slow down your car. These problems are not huge, but are definitely something you need to consider when purchasing steel wheels.
Alloy Wheels
Alloy wheels are a great option if you want more than the basic steel wheel. What are alloy wheels? It is made with more than one metal, so it will be stronger than the steel wheel when compared. Even though it is made with more than one metal, the alloy wheel is actually lighter than the steel wheel because most alloy wheels are made with aluminum. The most common metals that are used in conjunction in the alloy wheel are nickel, titanium, and magnesium. All of those metals work with aluminum to make it a very strong and durable wheel. These wheels will transfer heat very well and could help prevent your car from having brake problems in the future. The potential problem with the alloy wheel is that if you get in a collision or an accident that damages the wheel, it will crack before it will bend. A crack in the wheel will be a lot more expensive to repair.
Forged and Casted Wheels
When talking about a wheel being forged or casted, you are referencing how the wheel is made, not what the wheel is made out of. A wheel that has been forged has been made by hot pieces of metal being melted together to make the shape of the wheel. A wheel that has been cast has been made by hot metal being poured into a mold. Forged wheels will be lighter and stronger, but also more expensive than cast wheels.
Chrome Wheels
The name of chrome wheels is slightly misleading because a chrome wheel is not made 100% out of chrome. Chrome is a very expensive metal and it would not make sense to make an entire wheel out of it. A chrome wheel is a wheel that has a chrome coating finish on it. This does not make the wheel function any differently, but it may help reduce the chance of your wheel becoming oxidized.
Bottom Line on Wheel Styles
It is important to understand how many types of wheels there are and the differences when choosing the perfect set of rims and tires for your vehicle. When purchasing wheels, the pros at Element Wheels suggests that you make sure you purchase the wheels that best fit your needs, vehicle fitment, safety and budget.
Look out for an upcoming article on wheel differences in parts that make up one wheel i.e. 1-piece, 2-piece and 3-piece, etc. We'll get into the wheel parts that make it up i.e. lips, barrels, holding bolts, etc.