Steel Or Alloy Wheels, Which One To Choose?

The automotive industry has evolved considerably since its inception. From the primitive carts with wooden wheels, there have been wheels made of steel, aluminum alloy, carbon fiber and even titanium. These last two are in exceptional cases, so for the vast majority we have steel or aluminum.

In recent years , the use of steel wheels has begun to be abandoned, reserved in most cases for vehicles with more basic equipment. Of course, they are usually hidden behind hubcaps and / or similar trims. The rest of the means that use them are usually industrial vehicles.

In general, any vehicle already offers alloy wheels in its standard equipment, even if these are small in size, so it would be necessary to resort to the extras for a better image of them. However, in markets such as second-hand the balance between one type and another is balanced.

In fact, this scale is balanced enough in used cars: it comes to the question of what type of rim the car that interests us should have for our benefit. The decision depends on a number of factors, which we discuss below.

Which tires interest me the most?

The most important factor is economic, especially taking into account the delicate situation of many people. With few exceptions, vehicles with steel wheels often sell for less than an equivalent with an alloy wheel. This is because the second was initially more expensive after leaving the factory.

Here the second factor comes into play: the image. Yours is the decision to save a few euros – even hundreds – at the cost of a more packaged image. If, on the other hand, you prefer a car that looks better, you also have to take into account what are the cons of equipping wheels of this type.

The main drawback that can be taken out of alloy wheels is their sensitivity to scratches. Sidewalk curbs are your worst enemy, and repairing them isn’t exactly cheap. On the other hand, with steel wheels this problem does not even arise.

On certain occasions, it has been the case that after going through a large hole in the road and denting the tire, which is known as a flat tire, as it is made of steel, a simple hammer can be the perfect tool to solve the problem. .

Not all are advantages with steel wheels. These are prone to rust quickly. What’s more, on a new car with a hubcap, in a couple of years the rim itself will not be black, but brown. Little is said about this problem since older cars are scrapped, but rust can affect the resistance of the rim.

conclusion

The subject of tires is not enough to write a book, much less, so the final decision depends solely on the needs and tastes. If you are looking for an image, alloy on steel. If the car is going to receive heavy use, steel on alloy. Same result if what you are looking for is a means of transport in which exhaustive maintenance does not prevail.

However, if you are one of those who appreciate a car, one who will take care of even the smallest detail and keep the maintenance book up to date with the best spare parts so that it lasts as long as possible, a set of alloy wheels are the definitive option. .