When it comes to choosing aftermarket wheels there are some basic things that most people to look for like choosing the correct bolt pattern, diameter, width and offset. Here are the top 5 IMPORTANT things that get over looked when choosing wheels.
Load Rating
Load Rating of a wheel may not be your deciding factor when choosing wheels but it should certainly be acknowledged. Load rating refers to the amount of weight a single wheel can statically hold. Most people probably assume that the wheels they are shopping for can hold up their car because that is what they are made for. Fair assumption, but not always the case. If you are looking at a super light weight wheel and you are looking to put them onto a mid size or crossover SUV or say an electric vehicle, your vehicle may have a higher gross vehicle axle weight. In this scenario it would require the wheels you are looking at to exceed 1/2 of the heaviest axle per wheel. The formula is easy. Go to your vehicle and open the driver side door. You will see a placard and it will list your front and rear gross vehicle axle weight. Take the bigger number and divide it by 2. The load rating of your new wheels MUST exceed that number. If your wheels are load rated less than necessary you will be susceptible to additional stress on your wheel which can result in damage.
Ride Quality
One of the main reasons people look for aftermarket wheels is size. People typically like to increase the diameter and width of your wheels for aesthetic reasons. You may successfully make your vehicle look better but you may subsequently hurt the ride quality. Given that everyone should try to maintain the overall rolling diameter (overall rolling diameter is the overall height of the wheel and tire package that came from the factory) from the factory because it affects things like ABS, Speedometer, vehicle stability system etc. While keeping the overall rolling diameter, if you increase the diameter size of your wheel you will have to decrease the profile of your tire. This can result in many things from a harsher ride, less side wall cushion, and more susceptible to damage. Although this is not always the case, it is definitely something people should be aware of when choosing wheels.
Wheel Finish
Another reason people may be looking for aftermarket wheels is for the color of the finish. Maybe your car comes with boring black wheels and you want something with a little more pop. When you get your new wheels you probably want them to look as good as new for the longest time possible. Think about the area that you live in and the environment these wheels will face. If you are looking for a white wheel, you may find that keeping them clean of road debris and brake dust is quite a challenge. If you are looking for a wheel with a machined face or lip you may see that the wheel may not stand up to the elements as a full painted wheel. Regardless of what finish you get on your wheel, ceramic coating your wheels is a great to help preserve the finish and make them easy to clean. Check out our wheel ceramic coating kit here.
Brake Clearance
Brake clearance should be at the top of the priority list for anyone who has or is looking to upgrade to a big brake kit. Unlike all of the previously stated points, if your wheel does not have proper brake clearance you will will not work on your vehicle at all. If the diameter of the wheel is too small it may not clear the top of the brakes or rotors and if your width and offset are not proper you may run into clearance issues where the calipers hit the spokes of the wheel. Brake clearance can be a tricky thing and we have plenty of video explaining it on our YouTube channel. If you are looking for guidance on brake clearance you can shoot us a DM to our social media channels.
Use Case
This is kind of a cheeky catch-all category but it is important to think about. Knowing how you will use your vehicle should certainly determine the wheels you decide to choose. If you are only using your car as a daily commuter, you may not need the highest quality forged wheel on the market. If you are going to be tracking your car you may want to stay clear of a heavy wheel regardless on how it may look. Everyone has their own needs and you should know yours when choosing your next set of wheels.
