Wheel disks can tell a lot about your car and about you as a car owner. Old and rusty disks make your vehicle look shabby turning it into an ordinary tub with bolts and nuts while new and shining disks transform your car into an elegant and good-looking one. No wonder that so many people try to find out what wheel disks can not only meet technical requirements but also contribute to their cars’ good looks.
The main criterion in wheel choice is durability. It means that they should endure maximum loads and be stable during wheel operation. Their durability becomes really obvious when driving over tramlines or deep ruts. Off-grade disks cannot overcome such obstacles successfully as a rule for they get broken or split into parts.
Another criterion to take into account is the weight of your future wheel disks. The lighter they are, the more predictable your car’s performance is. It is a well-known fact that wheel and tire overall weight influences such key parameters as handling, high-speed performance, driving smoothness as well as the vehicle’s fuel consumption. It was also calculated that if you reduce the weight of one wheel by 1 kg, you can increase your car’s carrying capacity by 50-60 kg.
Modern wheel disks are divided into several categories. They can be pressed, cast (made from light-weight alloy) and forged. Let’s have a closer look at them.
Steel Pressed Wheel Disks
Steel, or pressed, wheel disks are the most widespread nowadays. Many new cars come equipped with them, though lately the tendency has changed in favor of cast disks. Pressed disks often come with low-cost cars. They are made from standard rolled iron with the help of its pressing. After that they are coated with lacquer or primer. The simplicity of a production process makes them very cheap: they are two times cheaper than cast wheel disks. It is not the only their advantage. They are also highly durable and endure loads and hits very easily. In worst cases they can get deformed, but not broken, so it can be fixed at the nearest tire fitting station. The disadvantages of pressed disks are as follows: considerable weight, unattractive looks and corrosion exposure.
Cast Wheel Disks
Cast wheel disks made from light-weight alloy has already become widespread among car owners thanks to their attractive looks. They are mounted on both luxurious as well as budget cars. They are reasonably light-weight, durable and corrosion resistant. The problem is that they come with rather a high price tag, though the exact pricing depends on the brand and quality. Cast wheel disks are made by such companies as AEZ, Artec, BBS, Rondell, Alessio and others.
Forged Wheel Disks
Forged disks didn’t become as widespread as they deserve it, which can be explained by their high price tag. They are often used on luxury sports cars and became popular among racing as well as tuning lovers. They are light weight and durable and can endure hard blows. They can also improve your car’s aerodynamics during high-speed driving.
In conclusion it should be said that wheel choice is always predetermined by your requirements and the sum of money you plan to spend on disks. If you want to improve your car’s looks, you should get cast disks. If your hobby is racing or you are fond of car tuning you are likely to choose forged disks. At last, if you value safety and durability but are not ready to pay extra money then pressed disks are ideal for you.
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