How to Choose the Perfect Wheel for your Tuner Car

Understanding What a Tuner Rim is There is some confusion when it comes to what a vehicle rim is. Many people use this term loosely to describe the wheel. However, this creates a lot of confusion when it comes time to choose the correct rims for your vehicle. Understanding what type of rim you want and how to match rims to your vehicle’s tires are the first steps in successfully choosing the proper rim for your vehicle. Single-piece rims are cast with the rim and hub together. Multi-piece wheels cast the rim and hub separately. They are attached together in multiple pieces on your vehicle. Single-piece rims are the most convenient but can cost you a lot of money in damage. When single-piece rims are damaged, you have to replace the whole rim; not just bits and pieces. When multi-piece rims are damaged, all you have to do is replace the individually broken part. Each one serves their purpose, but it is up to the consumer to choose which kind they like.

Front Black TRD Wheels with red brake caliper
Front Black TRD Wheels with red brake caliper

If you would like to keep the tires that your tuner vehicle has now, it is important to match your current tires to the appropriately sized rim. Most of the time, the overall diameter of the tire and your rim will be equal. Another factor to consider while matching rims to your current vehicle tires is the width of the rim. This should also have the same width of your car’s tires. You need to make sure that the rims you choose must have matching bolt patterns to your old rims. Each manufacturer has a set number of bolts when it comes to fixing the wheel to the vehicle. So, your new rims should have a matching bolt pattern to ensure compatibility between your vehicle and your new rims.

One way to ensure full compatibility of new rims and tires to your vehicle is to make some calculations. You can calculate wheel offset to check your best wheel and tire options. A wheel and tire fitment calculator can help you visualize different options by entering the required details (current and new setup).

Choosing the Correct Rim According to Style and Performance of Your Vehicle

A wheel’s rim have an enormous impact on your vehicle’s appearance and performance. Knowing how a rim can affect your vehicle’s maneuverability and style will go a long way in helping you choose the correct rim. Many tuner car owners use rims to enhance their vehicle’s performance. Customers have gone very far when it comes to purchasing new rims and tires together. Altering the size of your vehicle’s rim can change how your vehicle handles, even when the material of the rim can affect your vehicle’s performance.

Lowered and negative chamber angel wheel of the gold Toyota Altis
Lowered and negative chamber angel wheel of the gold Toyota Altis

Choosing the Right Rim Size for Your Vehicle

Increasing a vehicle’s rim diameter usually, will shorten the tire’s side wall. This will improve the tire’s traction on the road and the vehicle’s steering response. Selecting a wider rim will improve tire’s stability when rounding corners. By choosing wide rims, you are not sacrificing stability and handling with your vehicle. A very common method of increasing wheel performance is the concept of plus-sizing. Plus-sizing is accomplished by increasing your vehicle’s rim diameter and width while creating a shorter sidewall with your tire. Another option is adding larger rims and choosing tires with higher side walls. If you choose this method, you must make sure there is enough space for the tire’s sidewall to rotate without rubbing the fender. By selecting larger rims and tires with higher side walls, you run the risk of decreasing your vehicle’s overall speed and the effectiveness of anti-lock braking systems.

Washed TRD Wheels
Washed TRD Wheels

Choosing the Rim’s Material

There are two materials that make up rims; steel, and aluminum. Steel is heavy and durable while aluminum is lighter and helps your vehicle conserve fuel. You are more likely to feel feedback from your vehicle’s suspension in your steering wheel if you choose heavier rims. Many of the lighter aluminum rims are alloys made up of aluminum and a few other stronger metals. Lighter rims are also known to dissipate heat generated from braking more efficiently than heavier steel rims. Choosing the Rim’s Style There are so many options when choosing the customized rim for your vehicle’s wheel. Rim manufacturers create different patterns and colors to fit your personality. A type of rim such as Chrome creates shine for your tires. Black rims give you that sleek and matte finish for your vehicle. An important key to choosing the style of your rims is to increase the rim size. Big rims catch the human eye more than smaller rims. Larger rims look great on trucks and SUVs that are seeking to catch everyone’s eyes on the road.

Budgeting for Your Tuner Car Rims

The last thing to consider before purchasing your tuner car rims is how much are you willing to spend on your tuner car wheels and rims. History has proven time and time again; you get what you pay for. Nice rims never, ever come cheap to you. Now, when I say cheap what I mean is inexpensive. If your budget is in the hundreds, you should consider saving much longer or buying another part for your car. Poorly made rims tend to have fewer offset options weigh more than a vehicle’s stock rims. They tend to have less longevity when it comes to their use. If your budget is high enough, rim manufacturers such as SSR and Volk will make specialized, tailored rims. These customized rims will fit your vehicle’s style. This option can cost you quite a bit, but they are high quality and tailored made specifically to fit your vehicle. Buying tuner car rims for the first time can be daunting, however, don’t take a loan against car to buy the most expensive rims you can find. Do some research, see what your options are, and take your budget into consideration when it comes to choosing your rims.

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