Basic Wheel Concepts: Guide in buying Replacement Car Wheels
Wheels are among the most vital parts in the car. They are the
ones that keep it moving and thus, they are indispensable in a
vehicle. The size and the quality of the wheels significantly
affect your ride quality and handling so always make sure they
are in perfect shape and condition. Taking care of them is a
must so as not to sacrifice your vehicle's performance. They
also need special attention since they are closest to the road;
hence, they are exposed to a lot corrosion-causing elements.
Aside from contributing to ride quality and handling abilities,
the wheels can also make the car look better and a lot sportier.
People have always been concerned with how their vehicles should
look and thus they replace or customize some of the parts to
make it different from the rest on the road. The wheels are
among those that are often replaced to achieve their desired
appearance. Accessories are also added to the wheels, such as
the hub caps and wheels covers. These auto accessories are
designed to match the user's various driving needs and moods.
In buying replacement wheels for your car, there are
important things you need to know, especially if you are new to
driving. You cannot just choose any kind of wheel in lieu of the
original wheel of your car. There are different wheel
specifications for every kind of vehicle and car model since
suspension design varies from one vehicle to another. Take note
that the wheels work hand in hand with the suspension system
whose job is to keep the tires in tight contact with the road as
the vehicle turns, brakes or is driven down the road without
sacrificing comfort of the passengers.
Three aspects of the wheels are relevant to the suspension
design: wheel offset, aspect ratio, and tire width. All these
should be considered in choosing the best replacement wheels for
your vehicle.
Offset refers to the distance from the very center of the wheel
to the mounting surface of the wheel disc at the hub. Wheel
offset can be positive, negative or zero. A "0" offset means
that the mounting surface of the wheel is in the center of the
wheel. This measurement is very important in positioning the
tire. This also provides for adequate dual spacing.
Aspect ratio is the ratio between the width of the tire and the
height of its side wall. A tire specified as "205/60/15" for
example, has a width of 205mm and 60% aspect ratio. The "15"
refers to the size of the wheel to which it is fitted. You
shouldn't buy wheels or tires with lower aspect ratio than what
is required because this will wear them out easily as ride
quality will deteriorate. However, this could also result to
more precision in turning.
You might be thinking of getting wider wheels to give your car a
racing car look. Better think about this again. While is it true
that wider wheels and tires can give your car a chunk of gutsy
looks, they can also ruin your driving satisfaction. This is
because the weight of the vehicle would not be evenly spread
over the wheel and tire width. Resistance is also increased,
thus you wheels and tires could wear out fast.
If you want to know more about car wheels, you can search for
car enthusiasts' sites that feature different kinds of wheels or
go to the car manufacturer's site and check out your car model's
wheel specifications. Meanwhile, if you are in need of
replacement wheels for your GMC truck, SUV or van, you can drop
by at Auto Parts Deal one of the leading sources of
outstanding quality auto parts for various makes and models. GMC
wheels are just a few of the millions of high quality
replacement GMC Parts available at Auto Parts Deal. Go check out the site and see
for yourself their comprehensive line of premium quality
automotive products.