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I've just been reading the thread in technical matters about how hard it is keeping alloy wheels clean and I've always wanted to ask the BR experts - why are alloy wheels gaining in popularity over steel wheels? From a technical view, I guess that they would be lighter, so have less rotational momentum meaning that the car would accelerate/decelerate faster. I admit they look good - but only while the car is standing still. But for the ordinary motorist, it seems that they are more expensive to begin with, prone to damage, expensive to replace, hard to keep clean and cost more to balance. Is it really vanity, or is there a logical reason why more and more cars are being fitted with alloy wheels as standard?
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Because they look nicer, 'nuff said!
Despite their supposed problems, I haven't had any problems with mine, balanced at the same place as usual, the only people who are likely to regret alloys are those who regularly drive up against kerbs. Fortunately I don't make a habit of that. :-)
I also clean them with soap and water and they clean just as easily as my wheel trims did.
I've got to admit I wouldn't be happy going back to steel wheels, they look pants compared to alloys.
Blue
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It's vanity. And if they're expensive ones it's stupidity because surely reliability is paramount to a car, and if you come back and find you are sans four wheels thats a breakdown in my book!
I think technically they're weaker than steel rims. At lower end can have air leakage issues (slow but surely let your tyres down).
But vanity talks- that's why there are no plastic strips to stop minor hits scratching bumpers anymore.
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Each to their own, though
What I can't understand is why if someone has alloys they let their wheels be balanced by sticking little weights on the visible surface...ruins the look in my book...
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The original reason was to reduce the un-sprung weight and thus improve roadholding. Although this would be marginal on a family saloon.
There was a thread about this some while ago in which it was stated that modern steel wheels are no heavier than alloys.
I suspect that the main reason for most people is cosmetic.
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Most of the the time, however, cars are at rest and so people are able to see them. From a marketing perspective they are also important visual identifiers to the overall specification of a vehicle - along with other indicators such as colour coded bumpers and mirrors. In the old days it was extra chrome and wing mirrors.
After a time these "indicators" push down through the model range - normally on special editions then on standard trim levels as manufacturers compete for new sales.
Don't know what will be next alloy wheels? - xeon headlights perhaps?
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What are they? Mine are no lighter. I know that the road rubber area is 50 - 100% greater. I once heard something about the 'unsprung weight' What was that all about?
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Unsprung weight is refers to the mass of components which are "after" the suspension. Parts such as tyres, wheels, hubs, inboard brakes, suspension arms.
Benefits - Only looks, unless they are made out of a lightweight material such as magnesium, which most are not.
Disbenefits - Prone to damage from kerbing, tyre fitters (allegedly) and road salt.
Not sure what you mean by road rubber area, though of course bigger wheels mean you can fit bigger tyres and increase contact area, which is not always a good thing.
Andy
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I know a few people who have fitted alloys on their cars, they always mention the same problem. Judder felt through the steering wheel or when braking. Alloys are just purely for looks. This is usually if you are going for alloys that are bigger than your standard wheels.
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Im no expert on alloy wheels, but from what ive heard, if you going for slightly larger alloys, the wideness of the tyre increases, but the thickness tyre wall decreases. Because the thickness of the tyre wall decreases, you will feel more of the bumps or imperfections on the road you travel, but apparently will have more contact on the road- So it all comes at a sacrifice.
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Hi,
All this stuff about wider/larger radius wheels and thicker/thinner/wider tyres has nothing to do with alloys :-) The same things would apply to larger/smaller/wider/narrower steel wheels just as it would to alloys.
I would imagine the poster is interested in the difference between steel and alloy wheels of the same size. If they're different sizes it's a pointless comparison. :-)
Anyway, I have heard that allowing air to flow more freely through the alloy wheels can improve braking performance. That's the only (non-cosmetic) advantage I'm aware of though.
Cheers,
Mark
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This has been done to death before.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=13223&...f
The main benefits on the road are cosmetic, cosmetic, and oh, cosmetic! ;-)
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salla madarchod, benchod, kutay ki alladh
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This has been done to death before.....
Well done SjB. Both threads now amalgamated together.
DD.
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To look at this another way round:-
"The main benefits on the road are cosmetic, cosmetic, and oh, cosmetic! ;-)"
So, if I could take the original equipment wheels from my JZA 80 Supra, 235/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear, and have patterns made and cast up in steel and fitted to the car, I would notice no difference?
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If you had the wheels CAST in steel, you'd certainly notice the difference. But as it's stronger, steel wheels are pressed and are thinner than alloy - hence the weights are about the same.
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Has anyone got any objective evidence about steelies being lighter, size for size? I'd be interested in some 17 inchers for the winter if they exist. Can't find any info on Google.
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surely the lower weight element of alloys results in less wear and strain on steering and suspension components?
May be minimal reduction.
Agree main reason is cosmetics.
Suppose the same arguement could hold true for a spoiler, at what speed does it become aerodynamically active?
Leon
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Anyone considered dealer margins / car manufacturer margins
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Alloys wheels have better circularity and concentricity than steel wheels, and hence give rise to far less problems associated with wheel vibration.
--
L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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"...how hard it is keeping alloy wheels clean..." Not at all. Just clean them when you wash the car, the same as steels, thought it does take a little longer getting between the spokes. A wipe over with car polish helps to keep the dirt off for longer. I'd guess that those that have a problem leave them to get very dirty rather than clean them regularly.
"... why are alloy wheels gaining in popularity over steel wheels?..." Probably because they are fitted as standard to more models.
"...From a technical view, I guess that they would be lighter, so have less rotational momentum meaning that the car would accelerate/decelerate faster..." Yes. Weight is the enemy of acceleration. 50KGs makes a noticable difference. Empty all the junk out of the boot and see!
"...I admit they look good - but only while the car is standing still..." I think they look OK spinning too.
"...But for the ordinary motorist, it seems that they are more expensive to begin with..." Not when they're fitted as standard.
"...prone to damage..." Yes, but so are the plastic hubcaps fitted to steels. Much cheaper to fix of course!
"...expensive to replace..." Yes. Locking wheel nuts are essential. Two sets are safer.
"...hard to keep clean..." Not particularly. See above.
"...and cost more to balance..." Do they? Mine are balanced free with tyre fitting and I don't think I'll need to get them balanced at any other time as they don't bend like steel.
Mine are not my choice. They came with the car. Had they been an option I doubt that I would have paid extra, but they do look very good.
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