Considering purchasing new wheels for your car but unsure of steel wheels? Here are some factors to take into account when picking your next set of wheels!
First, what are Steel wheels? Steel wheels, known as steelies, are automobile wheels that are constructed out of metal. They are fairly common and frequently come as the stock wheels on the most affordable base trim of many car models due to their affordable and straightforward design.
They are frequently equipped with plastic hubcaps, which mimic the shiny, spoked appearance of alloy wheels, because they are somewhat unattractive in comparison to more expensive alloy wheels.
What Are Steel Wheels?
Steel wheels’ lower price is the primary justification for their use.
The industry standard and frequently seen on entry-level cars are steel rims. As you move up the price scale, alloy rims are frequently touted as a feature.
However, steel wheels do come with a few advantages of their own.
Toughness is one of these advantages because steel rims are very difficult to crack.
Alloy wheels, in comparison, are relatively fragile due to the metals used and are expensive to replace, which is something worth bearing in mind on South Africa’s pothole-ridden streets.
In some situations, the additional weight of steel rims is advantageous.
The added weight on each wheel improves traction in wet and slick conditions, such as when it is raining or snowing, and helps to keep the car on the road.
Key Features of Steel Wheels
- Steel wheels are balanced better the first time and keep their balance for a longer period of time thanks to twice-machined center bores.
- Thick outer rims make your wheels stronger and less likely to damage or bend under high loads. On all high load wheels, dynamic outer rims are 4mm in diameter as opposed to standard outer rims’ 3.5mm.
- Lifetime Warranty – For as long as the wheel exists, you are protected against any structural or manufacturer flaws with a warranty on dynamic steel wheels.
- In Australia, Dynamic has the widest selection of center bore locating compatible steel wheels.
Read about Alloy Wheels Vs Steel Wheels
Steel Wheels History
The first wheels with steel spokes were first made available around 1900. These early models had a steel hub connected to the rim by a number of steel wires. With the proliferation of air-filled tires and the introduction of steel wheels, vehicles became more resilient to road imperfections overall and more comfortable for occupants. Although manufacturing methods have been improved over the past century, the majority of wheel innovations have occurred in the field of alloys rather than steel, and steel wheel designs have not changed all that much.
So, What Are Steel Wheels? And Future
Car wheels made of metal are known as steel wheels. They are quite popular and frequently used as stock wheels in the cheapest basic trim because of their simple and affordable design. They are typically fitted with plastic wheel caps that mimic the appearance of alloy shiny spokes because they are less attractive than the more expensive alloy wheels.
Almost from the beginning of the automobile industry, steel wheels have been a mainstay. The first automobile wheels were wooden creations that were essentially modified wagon wheels. However, the demand for stronger materials quickly arose due to the higher speeds and increased strain imposed on them by more modern motors.