| Because they look cool right! The performance | | | | large mass of the aluminum wheels help dissipate |
| benefits of custom wheels should be your | | | | heat from the brakes. The open design of 5 |
| answer. In the 1950s and 1960s race car drivers | | | | spoke and 6 spoke custom wheels allow more air |
| developed lighter magnesium wheels to reduce | | | | flow over the brakes cooling them as you drive in |
| weight and enhance performance in all form of | | | | city traffic. |
| racing. They were called Mags by the racers, a | | | | One of the most significant factors affecting a |
| term still widely used today. However, most | | | | car, truck or SUV road holding ability is the |
| magnesium wheels were far to fragile for daily | | | | reduced weight of custom aluminum alloy wheels |
| street use. Plus magnesium oxidizes very quickly | | | | over factory steel wheels. By reducing weight, |
| and require frequent polishing. Magnesium wheels | | | | custom wheels provide improved acceleration and |
| used in modern race cars are often forged to | | | | braking. You must also be careful not to exceed |
| make them stronger and reduce weight. As a | | | | the design weight of the original wheels and have |
| result contemporary forged magnesium custom | | | | the reverse effect by adding larger wheels and |
| wheels are very expensive. The oxidization | | | | tires or aluminum alloy wheels that are gravity |
| problem is the reason you don't see | | | | cast. Gravity cast aluminum alloy custom wheels |
| contemporary custom wheels made of | | | | are cheaper but heavier and prone to bending. |
| magnesium. | | | | Look for aluminum wheels that are either low |
| Fortunately for the custom wheel market today | | | | pressure cast or forged, they cost more but will |
| manufacturers developed light weight aluminum | | | | reduced weight and adds strength. |
| alloy wheels that provide the strength needed and | | | | Keep in mind that sizing up or adding larger wheels |
| come in numerous finish options while reducing | | | | and tires will actually add weight. So plus sizing |
| wheel weight. Trendy wheel finishes include | | | | should be done the proper way. By using a larger |
| chrome and polished aluminum, plus painted | | | | diameter wheel with a lower profile tire it's |
| aluminum alloy come in hyper-silver, silver, white, | | | | possible to properly maintain the overall original |
| black, gray and Anthracite. While many of us | | | | diameter of your wheel and tire. It's important to |
| choose aftermarket custom wheels for their | | | | keep your new custom wheels within 3 percent |
| good looks, there are many important | | | | of the original equipment. Differences larger than 3 |
| performance benefits resulting from reducing a | | | | percent can cause problems with transmission |
| wheels weight compared to factory steel wheels. | | | | shift points which can decrease fuel mileage. It |
| The additional strength of a custom alloy wheels | | | | can also confuse braking system computers, |
| can notably reduce tire deflection and tire rollover | | | | reduce ride comfort and cornering capability. Go |
| while cornering. You also get increased brake | | | | for wider rather than taller wheel - tire diameters, |
| cooling with custom alloy wheels because | | | | the results is a larger contact patch and a sportier |
| aluminum alloy is a great conductor of heat. The | | | | look. |