How to Select Wheels and Precautions

How to Select Wheels and Precautions

I. Key Points for Selecting Wheels

(A) Determine the Appropriate Size

Refer to the Vehicle Manual

The vehicle user manual clearly records the size parameters of the original wheels. These parameters mainly include the wheel diameter, width, and offset (ET value). Taking an ordinary family car as an example, its original wheels typically have a diameter of 15 or 16 inches. The wheel diameter refers to the distance from one end of the wheel to the other. This parameter significantly impacts the vehicle's overall appearance and the accuracy of the speedometer. If the replaced wheel has an increased diameter, at the same speed, the vehicle speedometer will show a lower speed than the actual speed because a large-diameter wheel has a relatively lower rotation speed.

The width of the wheel determines the range of suitable tires. A wider wheel can accommodate wider tires, usually measured in inches. The appropriate width ensures a good fit between the tire and the wheel, thereby enhancing the vehicle's handling and stability. The offset (ET value) is the distance from the wheel's mounting surface to the center line of the wheel. It affects the wheel's installation position on the vehicle. If the ET value is not properly selected, the wheel may interfere with the vehicle's brake calipers, Suspension components, and so on.

Consider Tire Compatibility

The sizes of the wheel and tire must match. When the wheel diameter changes, the aspect ratio of the tire also needs to be adjusted accordingly to ensure that the tire's outer diameter is close to the original vehicle size. For instance, if the original vehicle is equipped with 16-inch wheels and 205/55R16 tires and the wheels are replaced with 18-inch ones, it may be necessary to match them with 225/40R18 tires. This way, friction between the tire and the vehicle's fenders, suspension, and other components can be avoided while maintaining the vehicle's comfort and performance. A significant change in the tire's outer diameter can affect the vehicle's suspension geometry, leading to issues such as a change in the driving posture and a decrease in comfort.

(B) Select the Appropriate Material

Aluminum Alloy Wheels

Aluminum alloy wheels are currently the mainstream choice in the market. Their main advantage is their lighter weight, which can effectively reduce the vehicle's unsprung mass. For example, compared to steel wheels of the same size, aluminum alloy wheels can be 15% - 20% lighter. Reducing unsprung mass is highly beneficial to the vehicle's handling performance. When the vehicle accelerates, lighter wheels enable the vehicle to respond more sensitively. When braking, they can reduce inertia and shorten the braking distance. When turning, they can make the vehicle turn more accurately.

The heat dissipation performance of aluminum alloy wheels is excellent. During vehicle driving, the braking system generates a large amount of heat, and aluminum alloy wheels can quickly dissipate this heat, thereby reducing brake fade. For example, in the case of continuous braking, vehicles using aluminum alloy wheels experience far less reduction in braking performance than those using steel wheels. Additionally, aluminum alloy wheels have diverse appearances and can achieve different effects such as bright, matte, and two-tone through various surface treatment processes like polishing, electroplating, and painting, meeting consumers' aesthetic needs for vehicles.

Steel Wheels

The advantages of steel wheels are high strength and good toughness, enabling them to withstand relatively large impact forces. They are more suitable for vehicles driving on poor road conditions, such as those that frequently drive on potholed roads or need to carry loads. For example, some pickups and SUVs can better handle complex road conditions and heavy object pressures when engaged in off-roading or carrying goods. At the same time, steel wheels have a relatively low price, making them an economical choice for some cost-sensitive consumers or vehicle operating enterprises. However, the disadvantages of steel wheels are also relatively obvious. They are relatively heavy, increasing the vehicle's unsprung mass and affecting the vehicle's handling performance. Moreover, steel wheels are prone to rusting, and their appearance is relatively single, with less aesthetic appeal than aluminum alloy wheels.

(C) Pay Attention to the Manufacturing Process

Casting Process

Casting is a common manufacturing process for wheels. Ordinary cast wheels are formed by pouring liquid aluminum alloy into a mold and allowing it to cool and solidify. This process has the advantages of high production efficiency and low cost, making it suitable for large-scale production. However, ordinary cast wheels may have internal defects such as pores, resulting in relatively low strength. To improve quality, the low-pressure casting process has emerged. Low-pressure casting involves injecting aluminum alloy liquid into a mold in a low-pressure environment. This method can effectively reduce the generation of pores, making the wheel's internal structure more compact and improving its strength and quality to a certain extent. It is currently a widely adopted manufacturing process for mid- and low-end wheel products.

Forging Process

Forging wheels are formed by applying huge pressure to solid aluminum alloy blanks. Wheels manufactured through this process have high strength and light weight. Since the metal's fiber flow direction is optimized during the forging process, the wheels can withstand higher loads and stronger impact forces. For example, high-performance sports cars or racing cars usually use forging wheels because in high-speed driving and intense driving conditions, forging wheels can better ensure the vehicle's safety and handling. However, the forging process is complex and the production cost is high, so forging wheels are relatively expensive.

II. Precautions

(A) Appearance Inspection

Surface Quality

Check whether there are any flaws on the wheel's surface, such as scratches, bubbles, and sand holes. These surface defects may affect the wheel's aesthetics and, in some cases, may cause corrosion or damage to the wheel. For example, a wheel with scratches on the surface may become the starting point of corrosion during long-term use, thereby affecting the wheel's service life.

Coating Quality

If the wheel has a coating, it is necessary to check whether the coating is uniform and firm. A good coating can not only enhance the wheel's aesthetics but also play a certain protective role. For example, some high-quality wheels use a multi-layer coating process, and the coating has good corrosion resistance and wear resistance, enabling the wheel to maintain its appearance for a long time.

(B) Price Reasonableness

Avoid Excessively Low Prices

Wheels with extremely low prices may have quality issues. Some unscrupulous merchants sell wheels that have not undergone strict quality inspection or are made of inferior materials at low prices. For example, some wheels without brands and certifications may not meet the standards in terms of strength and safety. Purchasing such wheels can pose hidden dangers to the vehicle's driving safety.

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