Are aftermarket wheels as good as factory?
Since one aftermarket wheel can fit a variety of different vehicles, they can be sold to a larger audience at a cheaper price. At what cost though? Aftermarket wheels are often made with cheaper materials for mass production. This leads to a far less quality product compared to OEM or replica wheels.
Will bigger rims raise my car?
Putting a wider tire on, with the same aspect ratio will lift the vehicle by the 1/2 the increase in sidewall height. Putting a lower aspect ratio tire on with the same tire width the car will decrease in ground clearance by the 1/2 the decrease in sidewall height.
Why are lighter rims better?
Lighter wheels can go faster because there is less weight to control. They’ll help you speed up your acceleration while decreasing the time it takes you to come to a full stop. They can also contribute to greater fuel efficiency because lighter vehicles use less fuel.
When do you change wheels do you have to change geometry?
That’s because when you swap OEM for aftermarket and stay the same size of the wheel you don’t need to worry about alignment. You aren’t changing the geometry just by changing the wheels. And remember from the alignment primer above, you aren’t adjusting the wheels when you adjust alignment. Let’s say you decide you want even bigger wheels.
When do you change wheels do you need to worry about alignment?
And when you install, you don’t need to worry about alignment. That’s because when you swap OEM for aftermarket and stay the same size of the wheel you don’t need to worry about alignment. You aren’t changing the geometry just by changing the wheels.
What happens when you change the wheels on a car?
So, let’s say you want to change the look of the vehicle by changing the offset. You want to push those wheels further out or even bring them closer in to emulate a deeper dish. This is where it gets tricky. You shouldn’t need an alignment unless you are making an extreme change in the offset.
What happens when the wheel caster is out of adjustment?
When the top of the pivot leans to the rear of the car, the caster is positive. If instead the top of the pivot leans towards the front of the car then the caster is negative. If the caster is out of adjustment it can cause the vehicle to veer or pull to one side or the other.
What happens when you replace an aftermarket wheel?
While having more options is great, the drawback comes when you attempt to replace your aftermarket wheel. Let’s say you buy a new set of aftermarket wheels and then hit a pothole on the road bending one of your wheels. The aftermarket wheel that you go to replace will likely be discontinued by the manufacturer, even if only a few years old.
Are there any aftermarket wheels with multiple offsets?
While most aftermarket wheels are made in multiple offsets, most OEM wheels only come in the offset that is correct for the specific car for which they are made. Closely related to offset is the concept of backspacing.
Why are OEM wheels better than aftermarket wheels?
OEM wheels on a vehicle can be desirable for several reasons. They ensure that the vehicle is original, which can help maintain the value of it. If the OEM wheels have been replaced with non-original, aftermarket wheels, the value of the vehicle may be negatively impacted.
That’s because when you swap OEM for aftermarket and stay the same size of the wheel you don’t need to worry about alignment. You aren’t changing the geometry just by changing the wheels. And remember from the alignment primer above, you aren’t adjusting the wheels when you adjust alignment. Let’s say you decide you want even bigger wheels.