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Looking At 15 Alloy Wheels

Posted: July 22, 2010 | By: | In: Autos and More

A range of alloy wheel are now available to fit almost any car, truck or motorcycle. The wheels are normally manufactured from an alloy of aluminum, or an alloy of magnesium, or quite often, a combination of both of these metals. This makes the wheel lighter but just as strong. These metals also conduct heat more efficiently and they look good too.

By using lighter wheels, road handling is improved because the vehicle’s unsprung mass is reduced allowing the suspension to sink closer to the road thereby improving tire grip. Quite often, the alloy wheels turn out to be even heavier than the pressed steel type. Fuel consumption can be effectively reduced with a corresponding reduction of the overall weight of a vehicle.

Braking systems may be improved because of the heat dissipation qualities of the alloys. Carrying away the heat generated by the brakes in unfavorable conditions, may prevent brake failures because of overheating.

There is no doubt that these wheels improve a vehicle’s appearance, but not only that, their resistance to corrosion allows them to be used in their natural state not requiring paint or covers to improve their aesthetic appeal. They may be designed with bolder, more intricate patterns to make them appeal to a wider customer base. This contrasts sharply with the pressed steel sheet method of manufacture where the components are welded together with no attempts to conceal the welds, making it necessary to paint and cover the wheels with hub caps to improve their appearance.

Galvanic corrosion, produced when two metals, such as those in certain alloys, react under certain conditions, is often a problem. If no steps are taken to check the corrosion, this may cause air to leak from the tires. Wheels made from alloys makes repairing them difficult, which is not really the case with the steel type. Because they are more expensive, repairing them usually works out better than replacing them. The decision on whether to repair or replace, rests, of course, with the owner.

Because the alloy types cost more than the steel, they are not normally fitted as standard on new vehicles. More often than not, they can be supplied as an extra option for new vehicle purchasers. Because of their popularity, this type of wheel is now being fitted as standard to a growing number of economically priced vehicles. For many years, high priced sports and luxury vehicles have been fitting them as standard, with exclusive large sizes being the preferred option.

Thieves have homed in on this valuable, exclusive accessory forcing manufacturers to invent various anti theft devices such as the locking wheel nut which needs to be unlocked with a special key in order to remove it. Many wheels are manufactured by the process of casting, but an increasing number are forged. The forged types are generally lighter and stronger but are more expensive than the cast variety.

Wheels made from magnesium alloy, often referred to as mags, are often fitted to racing cars in an attempt to improve the vehicles performance. Some aluminum alloy wheel are mistakenly referred to as mags. A number of motorcycle alloy rims are cast from magnesium disks.

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