Geometric parameters of the disk

When choosing wheels for “ordinary” use (we do not take into account various types of tuning), we strongly recommend that you stick to the parameters as close as possible to the factory ones. Why is this so important? Significant changes in parameters such as width, offset, diameter and weight of the disk can affect both the safety and ease of driving the vehicle, and the life of the chassis elements. So, for example, if we talk about the diameter of the disk, then its too large value (with the same outer diameter of the wheel) will adversely affect its weight.

When choosing rims, the proverb “measure seven times” is true.

More wheel weight means more unsprung masses, which, in turn, leads not only to an increased load on the suspension, but also to a deterioration in the smoothness of the vehicle. Also, due to greater inertia, a heavy wheel follows the road profile less readily, while a lighter wheel maintains tire contact with the surface longer, improving vehicle stability. In addition, an increase in wheel weight to some extent worsens equally important characteristics - the braking and acceleration dynamics of the car. Needless to say, larger diameter wheels shod with low-profile tires are easier to damage on Russian roads.

Larger diameter wheels shod with low-profile tires are easier to damage on Russian roads

An excessive increase in wheel width coupled with wider tires to a certain extent has its advantages (the car’s susceptibility to lateral loads improves), but there are, perhaps, more disadvantages: in addition to the increase in weight, this can have a worse effect on the vehicle’s stability when driving along longitudinal unevenness. On a rut, a car with wider wheels will obviously be less stable, and its handling will become more “nervous”. But even more “harmful” is playing with the wheel’s run-in, which can worsen the situation even more: the smaller the run-out (the wheel “sticks out” more), the more the optimal wheel running-in shoulder is disrupted (most often negative), the more sensitive it becomes to irregularities steering, and the load on the chassis elements is greater. Another danger of increasing the break-in shoulder is the lack of a stabilizing torque when braking with one of the faulty brake circuits. How far can you deviate from the standard parameters? There is no clear answer, because the chassis of each car is individual and reacts to such changes differently, but changes in offset by 2-3 mm most often remain without consequences.

When choosing, don’t be lazy and “try on” the rims to the tires - this can be done in numerous tire calculators. The rim should not be too wide or too narrow: for example, for a 205/55R16 tire, the rim width should range from 5.5 to 7.5 inches, but it is better to stick to the middle ground and go with a 6.5 x 16 rim.

Case material and price

The fact that alloy wheels are lighter than stamped ones should not mislead you. As a rule, a cast disk is either similar in weight or slightly lighter than a comparable steel one. However, most often when replacing disks, car owners try to increase the diameter of the wheel, and this entails an inevitable increase in weight, which, as we have already found out, does not lead to anything good. As a rule, an increase in rim diameter by 1 inch, coupled with an increase in tire width, makes the wheel assembly heavier by an average of 20–30%. But chasing low weight is also reckless. If a tire store salesperson offers you a “cast” that is too light, be wary: little-known companies, most often of Chinese origin, often actually produce extremely light wheels that do not stand up to criticism in terms of their strength.

Documents talking about the certification of Chinese wheels often turn out to be “fake” - not only will you be tortured to “roll” such wheels, but you’ll have to look for new ones to replace the ones that burst!

Forged wheels, of course, differ for the better in this sense: they are noticeably stronger and lighter, but due to the labor intensity of manufacturing, their price is noticeably higher, and the supply on the market is poorer: only 10% of the presented wheel manufacturing companies have in their assortment of forged wheels. “Forging” has another feature: when hitting an obstacle, the disc may retain its integrity, but the sidewall of the tire will take the entire impact, which in most cases is pointless to restore. Flying into holes, as you can see, is unprofitable in any case.

In addition to many Chinese ones, discs from some Russian manufacturers, and less often from European ones, also suffer from low strength. That is why when choosing, you should pay special attention to the status and integrity of the brand. If you don’t have such confidence, then it’s time to remember the golden words of Boris Razor from the film “Big Snatch”: “Weight is reliability!”

Price is perhaps the determining factor when choosing wheels. And when it comes to tight finances, I recommend not chasing the beauty and size of rims - it is much wiser to choose standard and affordable stampings, and the money saved is better spent on high-quality tires - in this case, the performance characteristics of the car will remain at the same level, including the stability of the wheels to breakdown and ease of straightening disks when they are deformed. The design issue is resolved by installing additional caps (either factory or non-standard). It's another matter if the budget is not limited. In this case, the choice is simplified: it is best to consider the most proven brands. It would be better if it was a light forging, but even here we do not recommend chasing a low tire profile - safety is more expensive.

Estimated prices in online stores for the most popular models of disks suitable forFordFocus 3 (PCD 5*108, Dia 63.3):

The design of domestically produced cars is the weak link of this very production. To the design department AVTOVAZ More sharp arrows were fired than during the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War between England and France in the 14th-15th centuries...

Arrival in Tolyatti French managers from Renault gives reason to believe that foreign partners will finally help their Russian colleagues in solving this difficult task - making beautiful cars. Indeed, even Patrick Le Quemé, the leading designer of Renault, announced the fruits of cooperation between Russian designers and French ones, which should “ripen” in two or three years.

In order for these fruits to really appear, an Englishman has been sent to Tolyatti Anthony Grade, former vice-president of the Renault style center, responsible for exterior design at the company. The new director of the design department (directorate) at AVTOVAZ will work on the design of new Lada models and update old ones.

It won't be easy for Grade at AVTOVAZ. Design is a troublesome, expensive business and, most importantly, does not bring immediate results. During a crisis, the top management of a Russian auto company thinks not about wonderful matters, but about tasks that require immediate resolution.

Drivers change the wheels of their car in several cases. Often the reason for the change is the desire to improve the appearance of the car or strengthen the installed tires. This article will discuss the principles of choosing cast alloy wheels, the parameters of the disk that you need to focus on when choosing, the basics of installing parts and the rating of the best manufacturers.

Alloy wheels (cast)

Almost all light alloy parts are made of aluminum or alloys based on it. They have both their advantages and disadvantages.

Important! When choosing car wheels, purchase two identical sets at once. This will save you from having to look for an identical model if one of the disks becomes unusable.

Advantages

Fashion trends in the automotive sector are pushing car enthusiasts to purchase light alloy products.

1. They can be given almost any desired shape, unlike stamped elements that are heavy and difficult to mold.
2. They are lightweight, making the installation process much easier.
3. Precision casting ensures the tires are perfectly balanced after installation.
4. High vibration resistance guarantees long service life even when driving on rough roads.
5. The corrosion resistance of cast units is much higher than that of stamped units. In addition to applying several layers of protective varnish, they form an independent oxide film.
6. Thanks to their high thermal conductivity, they protect the braking system from overheating.

Flaws

Caused mainly by the physical properties of aluminum alloys:

1. Cast products cannot be repaired after impact. Unlike stamped parts, which tend to dent, cast parts are fragile and are more likely to crack than flex.
2. Due to the fact that most often it is necessary to replace one damaged disk, the car takes on an unsightly appearance. Finding a new disk identical to the damaged one can be quite difficult.
3. In winter, the use of light alloy products leads to corrosion and the appearance of cracks due to interaction with anti-ice reagents.
4. Their high cost scares off many potential buyers. In addition, the automobile market is filled with low-quality fakes, which an inexperienced car enthusiast cannot distinguish from the original.

What disk parameters need to be taken into account when choosing

There are a large number of nuances in selecting this car part. Check with the seller not only the material of manufacture, but also the exact parameters of the fasteners and disk holes.
Those who are interested in how to choose the right product should be guided by the parameters discussed below.

Did you know? The first automobiles in human history appeared in the 1760s. They worked on steam traction and could not transport significant loads. The speed of such cars reached 15 km/h, and their appearance was extremely unsightly.

Material

Most often, for the production of these parts, aluminum with inclusions of silicon is used for additional strength of the alloy. Another possible option is magnesium interspersed with aluminum for greater ductility.

Aluminum is less resistant to impacts, but is highly resistant to corrosion, even without additional coating. Magnesium is a light and strong alloy; it can withstand impacts better, therefore it is considered to be of higher quality. Magnesium alloy oxidizes much more strongly, so it must be coated with a large amount of protective varnish.

Diameter

So that this part can be installed reliably and for a long time, a large number of holes for fastenings are made in it. You need to focus on the diameter of both holes and circles.

Departure (ET45)

This is the distance between the axis of symmetry of the part and the place where it is attached to the wheel. Must meet standards down to the millimeter. The accuracy of this parameter determines the service life of the suspension and the stability of the wheel under lateral loads. Installing parts with a reduced parameter gives the car a sporty look and at the same time increases wear on the bearings.

What is disc ejection or ET: video

Mounting hole (PCD)

PCD is the diameter of the circle into which the centers of the mounting holes fit. Check this indicator on the parts with the indicator of your car’s wheels in its technical passport. Also make sure that the number of mounting holes on the parts and wheels of the car matches. It's best to do this before purchasing parts.

Disc center diameter (DIA)

This is the size of the hole intended for mounting the hub. The divergence of this parameter is only possible in a larger direction relative to the disk. Many manufacturers produce parts with intentionally large mounting holes and sell centering rings included with them. These rings fit onto the hub and increase its diameter to match the diameter of the disc.

Important! The parts market is filled with low-quality counterfeit discs. If you are new to the automotive industry, go shopping with a more experienced friend or go to a certified car dealership for the products you need.

Other nuances

When purchasing, be sure to consider the mounting diameter. Denoted by the letter R, the number indicated next to it indicates the circumference in inches. The circumference of the part and the wheel must match perfectly. There is an acceptable discrepancy within which the car can be suspended. Excessive divergence harms not only the suspension, but also the mechanism as a whole.
Also pay attention to fasteners. Short bolts will not be able to fix the disc securely enough, and long bolts will scratch the internal elements of the wheel after screwing in. Also, the shape of the fastening elements must match the shape of the fastening holes.

Replacement and installation of alloy wheels

The process of installing these parts is not complicated, but it requires special technical equipment. A car service worker removes old rims and puts new ones on the wheels using a special mechanism. Then he checks the correspondence of the fasteners and holes and installs the disc on the hub. It will not be possible to install or replace it yourself in your own garage, even if you have the proper skills.

Rating of companies and manufacturers

Since you should choose car wheels based on quality, not price, the following rating represents the best manufacturers of reliable car parts:

• A German manufacturer, the product range has models for every taste and need. The parts are considered the most reliable and durable, coated with a special anti-corrosion compound. Crash tests are regularly carried out and show strength 60% higher than specified;
  
• . An Italian company that guarantees impeccable style, a wide range of parts and the use of the latest technologies in production. The wheels of this company are used in the cars of Formula 1 pilots and show a high coefficient of strength even on rough roads;
  
• AEZ. German manufacturer, a subsidiary of the ALCAR holding. Produces ultra-light parts of various sizes. Known for its dirt-repellent treatment of all products and the homogeneity of the alloy structure. Has a quality certificate from an independent laboratory;
  
• DOTZ. A German manufacturer that develops products focusing on the sports audience. Uses colored stripes in the design of details. All discs have a fancy modern design, a smooth surface with an acrylic coating. The company's motto is strength and reliability;
  
• . A German company that produces relatively cheap parts of impeccable quality. The discs have the ability to self-clean and are suitable for use in the winter season;
  
• Enkei. A Japanese company that supplies parts to the Nissan and Mitsubishi concerns. The discs are strong, have a varnish anti-corrosion coating, and practically do not need balancing;
  
• . A Turkish manufacturer that produces high-quality and inexpensive copies of original discs. Does not require adjustment, the diameters of the mounting holes and elements always match;
  
• Kosei. A Japanese concern that supplies car manufacturer Toyota. The products are marked by the International Quality Certificate as reliable, durable and strong. It is made of light alloys and looks like forged products;
  
• . Russian company located in the Krasnoyarsk region. Supplies parts for Volkswagen and Ford concerns. It has a laconic design and is in demand in the domestic and European markets as high-quality products with a low price. Parts are somewhat heavy compared to Asian models;
  
• . German-Russian production, products have state certification. The model range includes more than 400 sizes and 60 types of designs. K&K provide a lifetime warranty on their products and a year and a half on the anti-corrosion coating.
  

Did you know? Nowadays, electric vehicles are used on a par with cars that have a combustion engine. Their story began in the 1820s, when Hungarian inventor István Anjos made a prototype metal toy driven by the power of an electric motor he had invented.

Choosing alloy wheels for a car is not a difficult task for those who are well versed in the products of various companies and know how to distinguish original products from counterfeits. When purchasing discs, focus on the manufacturing company, giving preference to world-famous brands. Also pay attention to the material from which the parts are made and their technical parameters, which must exactly match the parameters of the car wheels.

How to choose the right wheels: video

Currently, the most common type of alloy wheels for cars are alloy wheels. They are the most popular among motorists not only in Russia, but also abroad. Considering that they are produced in large quantities, you can find high-quality and counterfeit copies on the market. Among the advantages, it is worth noting the rather low cost of these products.

About how they are made

It’s easy to guess from the name of this thing exactly how I make them. The raw material is simply poured into the prepared mold. The most commonly used metal alloys are aluminum based. Magnesium-based specimens are extremely rare in practice. Alloy wheels for cars have good characteristics and wear resistance.

It is noteworthy that they are more resistant to impacts than their steel counterparts. In general, the strength characteristics of wheels for a car of this type may depend largely on the quality of the raw material, as well as the shape and quality of finishing and paint coating. From this we can conclude that the cheapest alloy wheels for a car are not worth buying, since their quality will be minimal.

The main differences between alloy wheel types and others

Which wheels are better, steel or alloy? This question often interests novice motorists, but soon everything becomes obvious. Alloy wheels for cars have less weight and differ in technical characteristics, durability and aesthetic qualities.

It is noteworthy that cast types of car wheels are on average 40% lighter than their steel counterparts. This not only improves the car's handling quality, but also minimizes the load on the suspension.

Visually, alloy wheels for cars look very attractive, so young people often prefer this option. As you can see, there are quite a lot of advantages, and that is why the price for one cast disc can differ significantly from the cost of its steel counterpart.

It's not just weight that plays a decisive role here. There are a lot of differences that can manifest themselves directly during the operation of the vehicle. For example, when the casting is completed, the discs will be subjected to a heating procedure, which will allow the product to achieve maximum strength and rigidity. Many people know that light-alloy wheels for cars do not bend when subjected to a strong impact, but immediately crack.

Alloy rims and off-road

Alloy types of car wheels may have different properties that are worth paying attention to. Markings may indicate types, size, manufacturer and other information. Alloy wheels of a car perform well off-road, but a lot depends on the quality of the product. The size is also important, that is, the larger the diameter, the greater the ground clearance of the car.

Alloy wheels are fundamentally different only in that, unlike their steel counterparts, when they hit potholes, they burst, and they bend. If deformation occurs, the tire will gradually deflate. Provided that high-quality raw materials were used, alloy wheels perform well off-road.

Now imagine what will happen if you fly into a deep hole at high speed? Of course, nothing good will come of this. No matter the size of the rim, it will be severely damaged. Many car repair shops offer their restoration, but by and large these rims cannot be restored.

Through welding and painting work it will not be difficult to return this thing to its original appearance, but it will not be possible to restore the technical indicators. You should not assume that alloy wheels are inferior to steel ones, as this is not the case at all. They are simply not without their shortcomings. Minimum weight and the ability to install even on old cars are considerable advantages. In fact, a car with them becomes truly safer, and handling improves significantly.

When should you not use cast car rims?

In general, they can be used in all situations. The only thing is, if the rim size is not suitable for a particular car, then you should not install it. Among the advantages of using them are minimal weight, as well as the ability to abandon the constant use of caps, which are endlessly lost. In addition, light alloy cast rims have an attractive aesthetic appearance and can serve as car decoration.

At the purchasing stage, you need to look at what markings are applied to certain rims and if questions arise, then in such a situation it makes sense to contact the seller to provide them with advice. If you often drive outside of paved roads, then you should not give preference to alloy wheels, since this choice will not be justified.

Light alloy wheel rims are not suitable for all lovers of aggressive driving.

If you have chosen them, then in this case you should drive through railway intersections and other obstacles as carefully as possible, even if you are sure that the manufacturer used high-quality raw materials.

Features of operation in winter

Alloy wheel types are suitable for use in winter, but each car enthusiast must choose them himself in accordance with preferences and driving conditions. Chunks of ice and frozen dirt will constantly threaten to hit the side of the rim with strong impacts. Marking will allow you to understand at the selection stage how durable a particular specimen is, but with a strong impact, all of them can be damaged. The car will only drive well if the discs are in good condition. If you have never driven a car in winter before, then you should not choose a large rim size, as this will worsen handling.

Substances that are sprinkled on roads in the winter season negatively affect the paintwork of not only the body, but also the wheels. Cosmetic restoration can be quite expensive. If the car itself is quite heavy, then it makes sense to use cast wheels, the weight of which is minimal, and the size and markings are suitable for the specifically selected car model.

Please note that in the winter season it is much more advisable to use types of tires with a high profile, since only they can protect your expensive alloy wheels for your car from mechanical damage. The diameter marking must always correspond to the minimum permissible value for a particular car if it is operated in winter.

Conclusion

So now you know what alloy wheels are, how they differ from their steel counterparts, and when it makes sense to use them. At the purchasing stage, you should not look only at the appearance of the product and its weight, as it can be deceiving. It is preferable to choose really high-quality, but more expensive copies, the weight of which is much less than fakes.

The problem of choosing between steel and alloy wheels continues to cause a lot of controversy among car enthusiasts. Manufacturers add fuel to the fire by advertising their own products in every possible way for the purpose of sale. Therefore, stereotypes have been formed about the characteristics of products made from different metals that do not correspond to reality. Hence the purpose of this material - to tell how stamped, forged and cast wheels differ, how to distinguish them from each other and which ones are better suited under different operating conditions of the car.

Light alloy wheels

The name “light alloy” is given to these products due to the properties of the materials from which they are made. This is an alloy of light metals - aluminum and magnesium; titanium and copper are added to it in small quantities for strength and ductility. Hence the second name for such discs - titanium. There are 2 types of alloy rims:

• cast;
• forged (pressed).

These 2 groups of products differ from each other in manufacturing technology, performance properties and cost. To understand which ones are better, you need to look at disk production in more detail.

Note. Sales representatives often impose on motorists the opinion that, unlike cast products, forged rims are made from incredibly durable and expensive metals, almost platinum. In fact, this is a myth; the composition of the alloy for the manufacture of both groups of products is absolutely the same. Manufacturers can slightly change the ratio of base and additional metals in the melt at their discretion.

About production technology

As the name suggests, cast products are made by pouring molten metal into special molds (casting method). The sequence of technological operations looks like this:

1. Metals - ingredients are placed in an oven, melted and mixed.
2. The alloy is fed to the mold and poured into it with a special ladle.
3. After hardening, the workpiece is removed from the mold and moved for machining. In this case, the structure of the rim and spokes has already been formed, all that remains is to remove excess material around the edges and refine the holes for the bolts, as well as balance the disc.
4. The last stage is testing at certain speed and shock loads.

Reference. At factories of famous brands, the process is fully automatic using CNC machines, even casting is performed by a robot. Manual labor is practically eliminated.

The name “forged” does not accurately reflect the production method of these discs, since they are not forged, but extruded from a heated alloy using high-power hydraulic presses. The manufacturing algorithm is as follows:

1. As in the previous case, an alloy is prepared in the furnace, from which cylindrical blanks are cast.
2. Each blank undergoes several pressing operations, where it is formed into a solid wheel rim without spokes or holes.
3. Products undergo 2 heat treatment operations - hardening (strengthens the alloy) and tempering to relieve internal stresses in the metal.
4. Using mechanical processing on a variety of machines, holes are made in the disks, the pattern of the spokes is cut out, excess material is removed from the edges and balancing is carried out.
5. Testing at critical loads is performed on special equipment.

Note. So the second myth is dispelled - that due to the manufacturing technology, forged wheels cannot boast of a varied design. On CNC milling machines, you can cut any, even the most complex, pattern into the body of a workpiece.

Pros and cons of cast products

The main advantage of wheels made from light alloy casting is their attractive appearance, which makes a car of any age and make look much prettier. And the choice of products in terms of configuration and number of knitting needles is incredibly wide. This is the main reason prompting car enthusiasts to replace steel wheel rims with light alloy ones.

Other advantages are also important, but they are of a technical nature:

• the reduced weight of the products results in lower fuel consumption and improves vehicle handling;
• for the same reason, the acceleration dynamics of the car improves, and the braking distance is reduced;
• products are initially balanced due to production technology;
• long service life.

Of the listed positive aspects, only the durability and balance of alloy wheels is really noticeable when the car owner changes tires in a tire shop. The improvement in handling and acceleration dynamics can only be felt by an experienced driver, and the change in fuel consumption is so insignificant that it is completely unnoticeable (0.1-0.2 liters per 100 km). Therefore, the beauty of alloy wheels remains a priority, and only then their technical parameters are valued.

Now about the disadvantages:

1. The products are resistant to strong and sharp impacts. A crack appears in the thinnest place or where an air pocket has formed inside the metal. Manufacturers claim that casting cannot be repaired.
2. The price of the product is higher than that of stamped steel wheels. Due to price variations, the difference can range from 50 to 200%.
3. Cast rims cannot be used on minibuses and small trucks as they are not designed to withstand such loads.
4. Maintenance operations for such products at a tire shop (changing tires, balancing) are more expensive.

Reference. In the post-Soviet countries there are many workshops where specialists have become accustomed to soldering cracks in aluminum castings. But such a repair cannot be called complete, and restored discs cannot be installed on the front axle of the car.

Advantages and disadvantages of forged wheels

The significant and only drawback of forged rims is their high cost, which is 2-5 times higher than casting, depending on the manufacturer. But for this money you will get the following advantages:

• reliability and strength;
• durability, the pressed rim will last as long as the car itself;
• light weight of the product (even compared to casting), which improves the car’s behavior on the road and reduces fuel consumption.

Thanks to pressing and hardening in the manufacture of such rims, the metal does not have hidden holes and acquires increased strength, so cracks from impacts are an extremely rare occurrence. In addition, the spokes of the product can be made thinner and more openwork, giving the wheel design additional lightness and beauty. This is what you pay money for when you buy a forged wheel.

How to make cast alloy wheels - video

Stamped steel rims - the secret of popularity

More than 60% of all cars in the post-Soviet countries are equipped with disks made of sheet carbon steel. The vast majority of these cars are equipped with these wheels from the factory, since they are cheaper than others. Exceptions are cars in luxury configurations or luxury brands, for which the “stamping” frankly does not suit the appearance.

Despite their cheapness, iron wheels have many advantages:

• Compared to aluminum alloy, steel has ductility and elasticity, so the rim partially absorbs impacts when driving over large uneven surfaces;
• for the same reason, steel products are easy to repair - deformed areas can be straightened, and cracks can be welded;
• scope of application - transport of any purpose and carrying capacity;
• low prices for wheel maintenance;
• There are no problems with fastening the wheels, for which factory (standard) bolts are used.

The most valuable advantage when driving on our roads is the high maintainability of stamped wheels and the ability to absorb shocks. Combined with low cost, these features make traditional iron rims the most attractive in the eyes of ordinary users. To understand how their cost is formed, it would not hurt to familiarize yourself with the manufacturing technology of such products.

Production by stamping

Thick sheet steel is used to make iron rims. Two types of workpieces are cut from it - a circle and a strip, sent for further processing. The process looks like this:

1. On a hydraulic press, the core of the future disk with holes for bolts and technological openings is stamped from a steel circle.
2. The strip is sent to rollers, where it is bent into a cylinder shape. The ends of the sheet are welded together, after which the seam is cleaned.
3. A hydraulic press squeezes the finished rim out of the cylinder, then a hole for the valve is drilled in it.
4. Both elements are connected by welding, then covered with primer and painted.

In the manufacture of stamped products, expensive CNC machines and furnaces are not used, which is why energy costs are significantly lower. Hence the low price of the final product.

Video of the assembly process of stamped products

Weaknesses of steel wheels

Compared to attractive products made from light aluminum alloy, stamped iron rims are inferior in appearance, which often becomes the reason for their replacement. Plastic decorative caps, which always get lost on potholes on our roads, do not solve the problem, and the car owner has to buy new ones.

For reference. To prevent the hubcaps from flying off the wheels, many drivers fasten them to the rims with plastic electrical clamps. This helps, although it somewhat spoils the appearance of the car.

There are other negative aspects in using “stampings”:

• due to the large weight of the wheels, the car’s handling is worse and fuel consumption is higher;
• increased braking distance;
• products made of stamped iron cannot boast of good balancing;
• metal rusts and therefore requires maintenance.

Judging by the statistics, the listed shortcomings do not bother most Russian drivers too much. Again, some of the negative aspects are misinterpreted by sellers. For example, there is no basis for the statement that steel can rot in 2 years and the disk will become unsuitable for further use. To bring the metal to this state, it will take twice as long, and with timely care, the product will last no less than light alloy.

Note. There is a myth that the paint of stamped rims is easily scratched and quickly becomes unusable, but the light alloy surface cannot be damaged. The second part of the statement is incorrect; alloy wheels can also be scratched, but painting them is much more difficult.

It is best to select the type of wheel rims based on three criteria:

• depending on the operating conditions of the machine;
• car class and make;
• active driving in cold or warm periods of the year.

Advice. If you expect to use one set of rims all year round, then, taking into account Russian road conditions, it is better not to risk money and install steel “stamping”.

The ideal option is to have 2 sets of discs, using them in the warm and cold seasons. For summer driving on asphalt surfaces, light alloy rims are perfect, but for the winter you need to use stamped ones. The problem is ice that appears on the asphalt due to unremoved snow, causing a smooth road to be covered with continuous potholes. The same ice along the edges of the roadway will easily scratch your beautiful titanium wheels when pulling onto the side of the road or approaching close to the curb.

When choosing a set of new disks, it doesn’t hurt to take into account other recommendations:

1. You shouldn’t shell out money and buy light alloy products if you drive an SUV across the fields. Conversely, luxury cars driven on smooth roads should not be stamped; it looks reprehensible.
2. Forged wheels are suitable for any passenger car and various driving conditions, except outright off-road.
3. Do not try to install alloy rims on a minibus that is used for commercial transport, you risk quickly making them unusable.

When choosing forged products, a natural question arises - how to distinguish them from casting when they are externally similar. After all, an unscrupulous seller may sell you a cheaper product at the price of forged wheels. There are a number of tips on this matter:

1. Forging is easier than casting. For example, a forged rim measuring 15 inches weighs no more than 5 kg, and a cast one weighs 7-8 kg.
2. On pressed products processed by milling machines, you will not find burrs or small flash around the edges, as is the case with casting.
3. As a rule, inscriptions on cast wheels protrude above the surface, while on forged ones they are recessed because they are applied by extrusion.
4. If the product is branded and accompanied by documents, then in the specification of the forged rim you will find the corresponding English word - FORGED.

Advice. There are many exceptions to these rules, which appear when studying products from domestic or Chinese manufacturers. The best option is to buy forged car wheels at retail outlets with an impeccable reputation or from authorized dealers.

Despite the numerous advantages of alloy wheels, they cannot conquer even half of the Russian market. A similar situation is observed in the countries of the former USSR, where stamped products are more relevant and practical than aluminum ones. A change in trend should not be expected until there is a dramatic improvement in paved roads.

So, you want to change the wheels on your car and buy new or used ones instead of stock ones. But how to choose the right alloy wheels for your car if you have never done it before? How do you make sure they fit your car exactly? Believe me, the process of selecting wheels can be much more complicated than just knowing the radius of your wheels.

And the very first piece of advice could be this: it is true that many reputable salespeople in tire stores will know all this information specifically for your car and will play a primary role in choosing the right alloy wheels. But there is one logical conclusion here: how will you know that the seller is really knowledgeable and competent in the selection of disks, if you yourself are not competent in this matter - how will you check this? But believe me, choosing a good seller is easier than learning how to choose good, suitable discs. This is always better than being able to discuss things like wheel offset, wheel bolt head angle, and so on. But there is another problem: the seller is an interested person, and his interest, as a rule, lies in selling the most expensive discs and those that are least in demand. It’s good if customer focus and ideal satisfaction of his needs are higher for the seller than his interests, but this situation is not always observed. Of course, reviews and opinions of friends and acquaintances will help you choose the right CD seller. And we go further in the matter of choosing alloy wheels and talk about their technical characteristics.

Cast or stamped wheels?

First of all, make sure that you really want alloy wheels and not stamped steel ones. The differences between aluminum alloy and steel wheels are huge, and it ultimately depends on what you as a driver want from your wheels. And alloy wheels have quite a few disadvantages over steel ones. We will not fully compare them in this article, but we will list the main disadvantages of alloy wheels:

• Alloy wheels are more expensive when purchased (about 2-3 times).
• Alloy wheels are more expensive to repair and, which is important given the quality of our roads.
• Alloy wheels are much stiffer than steel, which determines what exactly can be damaged if they hit a strong hole, pothole, or when driving on highly protruding rails: while a steel disk often takes the brunt of the impact, a cast disk cuts rubber quite easily, while doing so itself it also wrinkles, only less than a steel disc would wrinkle. However, the result is the same: in both cases you will have to straighten the disk, and now see the point above.

What is the central (hub) hole of the disc?

This structurally empty hole is one of the most important points on the disk. It is this hole that is put on the end of the axle when the wheel is mounted on the car, and with this hole the disk should fit snugly against the axle hub - i.e. The diameter of the hub axle must be equal to the diameter of this hole. When purchasing alloy wheels, you need to make sure that the center hole is the same or at least larger than the axle. Most alloy wheels are designed to fit either a specific car model or a range of such models, and for each of them they will have a central hole slightly larger than the hub, but the set of disks will include special plastic spacers in the form of rings, which you need before installing the disk It will be easy to put on the hub, and when choosing alloy wheels, you just have to check whether all 4 (5) rings are included in the kit.

How to choose bolts/nuts for alloy wheels?

An equally fundamental issue when choosing new alloy wheels is bolts or nuts (depending on the design of your car). You can find out that bolts or nuts do not fit based on various problems, and here are the main ones:

• The nuts simply do not fit into the hole in the decorative hole on the disk and thus do not reach the studs.
• The bolt heads do not fit into these holes.
• The base of the head (the plane of the nut/bolt that presses against the disk, pressing it) has a different angle than the disk. In this case, the planes of the nut/bolt and the disk are not parallel, as a result of which the disk is damaged when tightened.
• The bolts are too short for alloy wheels (as the walls of alloy wheels are thicker than steel).

It should be borne in mind that all these problems will lead to damage to the disc and, possibly, to the creation of an emergency situation on the road. But in general, very often wheels come complete with bolts or nuts for fastening them.

Spokes (beams) of disks

The choice of the number and design of alloy wheels, of course, remains with the buyer. We will only note the general rule: the more spokes, the safer such a disc will be.

What is wheel width and offset (ET)?

One of the most important indicators of any disks are 3 most important characteristics: disk diameter, its width and offset. The values ​​of these indicators are marked in bulges next to each other on the disks themselves (both cast and steel). As a rule, on stamped discs they are applied on their outer side, and on cast discs - on the inside on one of the beams or on the plane that comes into contact with the brake disc or drum of the car.

• Diameter is the distance between the two most distant points of the disk in its longitudinal plane, not counting its rims. Diameter is measured in inches.
• The width of the disk is the distance between the two extreme points of the disk along the transverse plane, also not counting the rim, also measured in inches.
• Disc overhang is the distance between the plane of contact of the disc with the brake disc or drum of the machine and the central part of the disc in the transverse plane.

Don't choose alloy wheels that are the same size as your stock steel wheels based on the three above criteria - most often you won't find alloy wheels in the same sizes for your model. Look in the car's operating manual - sometimes the permissible values ​​​​of these characteristics are written there, but it is better to look on the forum for your car model for a suitable size.

What is a PCD drive?

The PCD of a disk is the distance and number of disk mounting holes for bolts or nuts. The PCD value, accordingly, is presented in the form of two numbers, the first of which is the number of mounting holes, and the second is the diameter of the circle that these holes form between each other (and around the hub hole), the circle of which is drawn through the centers of these mounting holes. For example, PCD 4*98 means that the disk has 4 holes for bolts or nuts, and the distance between the centers of two opposite holes is 98 millimeters.

PCD equal to 100 for four- and five-bolt disks

Cosmetic treatment of alloy wheels

When choosing alloy wheels, important attention must be paid to their external coating and knowledge of how to care for certain coatings. So, a simply painted cast wheel will last much longer than a chrome plated one.

Which alloy wheel manufacturers should you choose?

A very important factor is the manufacturer of the alloy wheels that you are going to buy. The composition and technology of their production depends on this, which means how susceptible the discs will be to corrosion and other chemical processes, how resistant to impacts, and so on. A simple rule plays an important role here: the cheaper the discs, the lower their quality. Traditionally, high-quality wheels are products from Kosei and OZ Racing, and the most budget-friendly ones are Russian-made wheels (Scud and others), K&K.