The simplest and most frequently chosen way to change a car's appearance is installing new wheel rims, and online you can find many stores specializing specifically in this. But before settling on a particular set, it's worth understanding what types of rims exist, what parameters they have, and how to choose them correctly.

Types of wheel rims

Today, manufacturers offer motorists three main types of rims:

  • Stamped (steel)
  • Alloy (from light alloys)
  • Forged

Steel rims are an inexpensive and widely common option, usually installed on budget cars at the factory. Their strengths are low price, ability to withstand loads, and possibility of restoration after damage. As for drawbacks, one can note their monotonous appearance, significant weight, and susceptibility to rust.

Alloy rims from light alloys occupy a large part of the market. This popularity is explained by the variety of shapes and colors. Compared to steel ones, they are about a third lighter and much better resist corrosion. Moreover, such wheels are easier to balance, allow slight fuel savings, and improve the car's behavior on the road. The weak point of cast rims is the difficulty of repair when damaged.

Forged rims are manufactured using hot stamping on industrial equipment. This technology is not cheap, but it gives products high strength with low weight. They also are not afraid of corrosion and are resistant to impacts and deformation. That is why forged rims are often chosen for racing cars and serious tuning. Their only significant drawback is the cost, which can be two to three times higher than that of quality cast rims.

Main characteristics of rims

Before buying new rims, you need to make sure they will fit a specific car. The correct choice of parameters affects not only the compatibility of wheels with the car but also its overall serviceability. Exact factory data can be found in the car's documentation or by using a special selection on the store's website.

Here is what to pay attention to first:

  • mounting diameter;
  • PCD;
  • rim width;
  • offset (ET);
  • center bore diameter (DIA).

It is important that the rim's mounting diameter exactly matches the same parameter of the tire. The abbreviation PCD denotes the number of mounting holes and the distance between them. For different car brands, this indicator may differ by just a couple of millimeters, but even such a small difference is critical. If you install rims with incorrect bolt spacing, the hub will shift relative to the central axis of the wheel. As a result, strong steering wheel vibration, noticeable wobbling, and even spontaneous loosening of bolts are possible.

Rim width is measured in inches, and it should be approximately 60–70 percent of the tire width. For alloy and forged wheels, a deviation of half an inch in either direction is acceptable.

Offset (ET) is indicated in millimeters and represents the distance from the central line of the rim to the plane where the rim attaches to the hub. It is best to follow the car manufacturer's recommendations exactly. In extreme cases, after consulting a specialist, a deviation of up to 5 millimeters can be allowed for cast or forged models.

The center bore (DIA) is also measured in millimeters and is responsible for proper wheel centering. If this parameter does not match the hub size, it will be impossible to center the rim accurately. When the hole in the rim is slightly larger than the hub, special adapter rings can be used.