When faced with the choice of buying car wheels, alloy wheels will always come at the top of your list due to their stylish look. Apart from their elegance, alloy wheels also improve the drive-ability and handling of your car due to their lightweight nature. These wheels can be expensive, especially if you go for the larger ones. As such, regular maintenance can extend the life of these wheels and make your investment worthwhile. Here are some useful facts you need to know about alloy wheels.
Alloys Match Perfectly with Your Car — Alloy wheels will fit perfectly into the wheel arches of your vehicle. This compatibility between the wheel arches and the alloy wheel makes your car appear solid. If you are the kind of person where money is no object, you can try the magnesium alloy wheels, but beware of the massive repair cost. Ideally, alloy wheels are designed to be proportional to your car, giving your ride that eye candy touch.
You Still Need to Watch Out for Oxidation — Most alloy wheels are made from aluminum, which does not rust easily. However, the flip side of this material is that it attracts grit, dust and other forms of debris that are likely to lead to discoloration of the wheels. When dirt and debris, which contain chemicals, react with oxygen on the surface of the alloy wheels over an extended period, oxidation or discoloration occurs. Keep the wheels in good shape by using commercial or homemade cleaners and car wax that prevents oxidation. However, for guaranteed results, use over-the-counter cleaners since experimenting with homemade solutions can further damage your sleek alloy wheels.
Alloy Wheels Prevent Deformities of the Sidewalls of Your Tyres — One advantage of large alloy wheels is enhanced handling of your vehicle. When cornering, the weight of the car tends to shift towards the outside of your vehicle. This weight of the vehicle is bound to exert pressure on the wheels and the tyres, deforming them on the sides in the process. Alloys minimize this problem due to the thinness of the tyres, which means that the handling is improved when cornering because of added grip. Therefore, your tyres will last longer, saving you the cost of replacement, which can run into hundreds of dollars.
You Should Seek Professional Help in Repairing Extensive Damage to the Alloys — Unless you are qualified and comfortable doing major repairs on alloys, you should have a mechanic do it for you. A professional mechanic will know the right amount of heat to use when repairing cracks and bends. Also, when dealing with heat, safety precautions should always be observed at all times. A technician will also have an assortment of tools and equipment to service your alloy wheels without causing further damage to them.
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