There are numerous benefits to fitting alloy wheels to your car. For a start they are cast from aluminium with means they are light-weight, and more attractive than regular wheels. They are great at dissipating brake heat and small amounts of more rigid metals the presence of which helps prevent cracks propagating. They are also available in standardised sizes, to fit almost every car.

One of the best advantages of the wheels in performance terms, is the reduction in your cars unsprung weight, meaning a reduction in rotating mass at the ends of your suspension components. This means improved steering and greater breaking response.

For those who have not yet purchased those shiny new rims, these definitions might go some way to clarifying the elaborate specifications you will see when you’re out shopping. When in doubt, there are plenty of alloy dealers willing to lend their expertise, and ensure you get a wheel that suits both you and your car.

Offset – The offset is usually engraved on the wheel, and means the distance between the wheel’s centre-line and the hub mounting face at the back of the wheel. Wheels with their mounting face towards the front fact of the wheel are called Positive Offset wheels. Most front wheel drives are this kind. Wheels that have their mounting face level with the centreline of the wheel are called Zero Offset wheels. You can guess therefore, that wheels with their mounting face towards the rear of the wheel are called Negative Offset wheels.

PDC – This stands for Pitch Circle Diameter. It measures the diameter of the circle drawn through the centre of the bolt holes of your wheels. It is measures in millimetres and will often help you ascertain how many studs or bolts the wheel will have.

Centrebore – This is the size of the hole at the back of the wheel into which the hub fits. This hole needs to match the size of the hub exactly, in order for the wheels to seat properly. Most modern wheels are referred to as ‘hub-centric’ – meaning the hub is ‘load-bearing’. This means that all the bolts or studs do is hold the wheel onto the hub. ‘Lug-centric’ wheels imply that you bolts or studs have a more critical job, so you need to ensure you check and tighten them regularly.

Up-Stepping – This relates to the practise of increasing your wheel-diameter and reducing the profile of your tyres. This can increase the handling of your car, response and feedback.

When fitting new alloys, initially you must ensure you have the right kinds of bolts, as they have various diameters, threads and seatings – something that your wheel supplier will be able to advise on. It is normally recommended that you get a professional fitter to do the job for you anyway, so buying your wheels from a dealer willing and qualified to fit them is a good idea. If you spend money on a quality pair of wheels, have them professionally fitted and keep on top of the grime and damage regularly – your alloy wheels will repay you by lasting a lot longer than you would expect and will look a good deal shinier too.

Topgear LTD own depots all over the country and run an extensive online shop selling car tyres, alloy wheels, stainless steel exhausts, catalytic converters and more. To browse their secure online store, enter their Car Of The Week competition, or find out where your nearest depot is, see their website: http://www.topgear.co.uk.

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