Steel wheels are, generally, heavier; as a matter of fact, steel is a metal with a specific weight 3 times higher than aluminum.
Alloy wheels, on the other hand, are made of light materials such as aluminum or magnesium (the lightest), which reduce the total weight of the vehicle.
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Steel wheels, precisely because they are heavier, are more robust and therefore less prone to damage from impacts and scratches, and it is generally said that they are more easily repairable.
However, even in the case of steel rims, impact damage that compromises the structure of the rim does not allow repairs through heating, welding, or removal of material.
This type of repair is strongly discouraged because it involves an intervention that induces structural changes in the metal and therefore greater stress and fragility of the affected area.
For steel rims only cold repairs for scratches and dents or restoration of the protective coating are provided.
Alloy wheels are more delicate and lighter, even if nowadays are made with high-quality materials so they offer good resistance, they have higher costs as compared to the first ones.
Finally, repairing alloy wheels is only possible for scratches and/or slight dents.
Steel wheels are generally more resistant to corrosion and bad weather, and they require less maintenance even if they are subject to oxidation (rust).
Alloy wheels resist to oxidation but not corrosion; to avoid these dangers they are treated with protective coatings to improve their durability.
Currently, there are numerous technical processes, among which we remember powder painting, which excellently protects the alloy wheel also from corrosion.
If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, where often snows and the road is bumpy, steel wheels can be the right choice for their heaviness, which allows a better grip on the road, and for their rigidity that doesn’t allow deformations following potholes on the road surface.
Differently, alloy wheels are suitable for those who live in urban areas, where bad weather and ground conditions are mitigated by frequent human work in favor of safety, or simply for those who want better car driveability and performance, offering a more reactive and dynamic drive, and so a more immediate acceleration and braking.
Their conformation, among other things, allows an easy wheel cooling thus avoiding excessive overheating (for more info click here).
In the end, alloy wheels tend to absorb better the vibrations: as a matter of fact, magnesium has an excellent capability of vibration damping, so as aluminum.
The dispute over what is better for winter, whether you look for alloy or steel wheels, also deserves mention.
It is generally said that steel wheels are preferable because they are heavier but, keeping in mind the criteria mentioned above, if your vehicle circulates mainly on urban roads, a good alloy wheel can very well face the winter, giving excellent conditions more pleasant and high-performance driving, as well as excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion.
The weight difference between alloy and steel wheels has some effects also on fuel consumption.
The alloy wheels lightness can contribute to a fuel consumption reduction as the rotational mass of the vehicle is less that the steel wheels.
Steel wheels, on the other hand, can influence consumption increasing, especially in frequent urban driving environments.
Steel wheels offer a more sober and functional look, often favored for business vehicles or in contexts where appearance is less important than basic functionality.
Steel wheels have fewer design options: they can only be personalized with wheel covers or specific paints, clearly being satisfied with the result.
Alloy wheels, on the other hand, are known for their elegant and modern design, ideal for whom is seeking for a refined aesthetic. Indeed, thanks to the malleability of the metals used, there’s no limit to the versatility of workmanship and creativity of design, as well as for the colors.
You can do research on CambioRuote.com by entering the make, model, and year of the car. You will be able to find a wide range of alloy wheels from the best brands to meet your needs in terms of both performance and design.
You will find different suggestions such as smart, comfort, and premium by brands like Mak Wheels, GMP Italia, MOMO, Oz Racing, Sparco, and many more.
Talking about the look of your car, you can find out all the different finishes, styles, and colors in this article.
In conclusion, alloy wheels offer a wide range of designs and finishes so to let you personalize your vehicle completely to reflect your taste.
While choosing it is important to pay attention to the wheel’s measures, starting from the car registration document where there are all the useful technical specifications for assembly.
Read here for more info about choosing the right models and measures.
To learn how to read the measurements of an alloy wheel, read here.
On CambioRuote.com you have all the coordinates to make a correct technical choice and perfectly in line with your taste.
Indeed, thanks to our online configurator, by entering the model of your car you will get the alloy wheels that are right for you, in terms of technical specifications and style.
You can buy your favorite alloy wheels or even your complete wheels online, saving on overall costs, with a simple and fast procedure, free shipping in a very short time, VAT included in the price, and pre-and post-sales assistance via WhatsApp.
If you have any questions or doubts, do not hesitate to contact us: our customer service is at your complete disposal to find the perfect solution for your needs!
The Type of the car is a code that the producer assigns to each vehicle in order to distinguish it from similar models.
You can find this code in the italian registration certificate in two places: At point D.2, Vehicle type, or at point E, vehicle identification number.
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