Q. What are the different methods of making wheels? A. In today's marketplace, two wheel materials are most common, steel and aluminum. Steel wheels are made in two pieces: the inner piece (called the center) that bolts on to the car, and the barrel (or outer) which receives the tire. The two pieces are welded together to form the wheel. Most original equipment wheels are made this way, and so are many after market wheels- especially for trucks. Steel is durable, easy to repair and still popular for these reasons. The other material, aluminum, is by far the most popular type of wheel we sell. Its light weight, superior heat dissipation and seemingly endless design variations make it the material of choice for most buyers. Aluminum wheels can be manufactured in many ways, and each method offers advantages. One-piece cast wheels. A cast wheel is made by pouring molten aluminum into a mold; the metal then takes the mold's shape as it cools and hardens. There are three types of casting methods, low pressure/gravity, counter pressure, and high counter pressure molding (HCM); each method has its place in today's market. A wheel manufacturer will select a particular method according to the weight, strength and finish that they have specified for that design. Naturally, the more sophisticated and costly methods produce lighter and stronger wheels but at a higher price. Forged / Billet wheels. The two words "forged" and "billet" have become synonymous, but in fact the manufacturing process is called forging and the material used is an aluminum billet - a solid piece of dense aluminum. The forge, a huge machine that exerts thousands of pounds of pressure on the metal, basically presses or rolls the billet into its fundamental form. This forging is then machined to final finish. This process allows wheels to be built with much less material, allowing for lighter weight and unique designs, because the process creates a much stronger wheel than other methods. Multi-piece wheels. The processes mentioned above can be combined to produce a wheel of a particular strength and weight at a particular price. For example, some wheels have a cast aluminum center, welded to a steel outer. Another type of two-piece construction features a billet center welded to a rolled outer (extruded aluminum rolled into a hoop). Still other wheels feature a split outer so that widths and offsets can be made to custom specifications. This last method is the three-piece type construction. In this type of wheel, the center which can be cast, billet or forged, is usually attached to the outer assembly by special screws or rivets. Why Alloy Wheels? Alloy vs. Steel   The main differences between alloy and steel wheels lie in their durability and strength. Most high-performance wheels are made of an alloy and composed of aluminum, and other metallic substances. By using alloy wheels, you not only improve the looks of your vehicle but also the performance. The extra strength provides longevity as well as effecting tire wear in a positive manner. The weight reduction will improve steering response and handling, as well as help improve acceleration and braking. What's "Inch Up"? "Inch Up" is the process of mounting a lower aspect ratio tire and larger diameter wheel on your car. This effect creates a larger contact patch and a shorter sidewall. Why "Inch Up"? "Inch Up" to improve your vehicle's performance and appearance. • Increased steering response • Improved dry handling • Enhanced cornering ability • Aggressive good looks   How Can You "Inch Up"? "Inch Up" with the experts in plus sizing. • Innovative technology • Precision fit • Wide size selection • Proven performance  "Inch Up" may be done in several ways. The most popular methods are: 1. Plus Zero This method utilizes the same wheel diameter as Original Equipment (OE) but incorporates a tire with a larger than OE section width and smaller than OE aspect ratio. For example, replacing an OE 175/70R14 tire (on a 5.5-inch wheel) with a 195/60R14 tire would be a proper Plus Zero fitment. Note that this practice may require a replacement wheel in order to maintain proper rim width for the new tire. 2. Plus One This method utilizes a one-inch larger diameter wheel in conjunction with a tire of a one-step lower aspect ratio. An example of an appropriate Plus One fitment is to replace an OE 175/70R13 tire (23-inch overall diameter) with a 185/60R14 tire (22.9-inch overall diameter). Note that this method always requires a replacement wheel. 3. Plus Two This method utilizes a two-inch larger diameter wheel in conjunction with a tire of a two-step lower aspect ratio. An example of an appropriate Plus Two fitment is to replace an OE 175/70R13 tire (23-inch overall diameter) with a 195/50R15 tire (22.8-inch overall diameter). Q. What does fitment mean? A. This term is used to refer to the physical specifications of the wheel and the availability of the sizes that will fit a vehicle. So, the fitment specifications for a particular wheel and vehicle include the bolt pattern, the offset, the wheel width and the wheel diameter. Let's say you want a particular wheel for your car; select our Find Wheel Sizes for My Vehicle section and it will guide you to the styles available and the sizes that fit. Q. What features should I look for when buying wheels? A. First and foremost, wheels are purchased for styling the vehicle. You've got to like how they look! Second, decide on the build method and quality. The discussion of manufacturing methods above was intended to inform you of the different ways wheels are made. Choose the manufacturing method you want at the price you are happy with. Finish quality is important; demand a nicely finished wheel. Finally, decide on the price. We realize there are many tradeoffs between the various features and price and that's why we carry a wide selection of wheels for every budget. Q. What does finish mean? A. Finish refers to the type of surface treatment a wheel is given. Machined or polished finishes are popular on aluminum wheels. "Machined" is what the wheel looks like after the last shaping procedure (usually a lathe cut) has been completed. An additional step involves passing the wheel through successively finer automated and hand polishing processes. This, of course, results in the polished finish. A chrome finish is also available on aluminum wheels, but requires three additional layers of metal treatment (copper, nickel and chrome) to be achieved. Chrome finishing can significantly increase the price of the aluminum wheel. That's where steel wheels have an advantage; chrome goes on in one simple, inexpensive step. Finally, paint goes on everything and can be applied in single or multiple color schemes. Often the powder coating process is used to apply paint, resulting in a heavy, durable finish. In today's market, wheel manufacturers combine finish methods in different ways. For example, the popular tuner type designs often feature a silver center and a machined or polished lip. The last step in many styles is to seal the wheel with a clear coat, making the wheel much easier to maintain. Q. What does Bolt Pattern (PCD) mean? The bolt pattern or bolt circle is the diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the centers of the wheel lugs. Each wheel has a different bolt pattern. Bolt patterns can be 4, 5, 6, or 8 lug holes, and some wheels even have 2 different bolt patterns which allow it to be mounted on a wider range of vehicles. Most Bolt Patterns are represented in the following manner: 5X114.3  The "5" indicates the number of holes in the wheel for the bolts to enter and mount the wheel onto the car. The "114.3" indicates the diameter of the bolt circle measured in millimeters or inches. 4 & 6 bolt wheels are measured from the center of one bolt hole to the center of the bolt hole directly across from it. On a 5 bolt pattern, it is a bit trickier to measure without special tools. Imagine a circle running through the centers of each bolt hole. You would measure from the center of one bolt hole to the imaginary circle that lies between the opposite two bolt holes. Q. What does Offset mean? The offset of a wheel is the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel to the true centerline of the rim. A positive offset means the mounting surface of the wheel is positioned in front of the true centerline of the rim / tire assembly. This in effect brings the tire in to the fender well more. Conversely, a negative offset means the mounting surface of the wheel is behind the true centerline of the rim / tire assembly. This will cause the tire to stick out away from the vehicle. Q. What's the best way to clean my wheels? A. Probably the single biggest mistake when cleaning wheels is to use super cleaners, which can contain harsh abrasives. Mild soap and warm water is sufficient for routine cleaning. After cleaning chrome-plated wheels, you can apply a non-abrasive wax or cream to prevent surface corrosion. If you have clear coated wheels, skip this step. Don't let tire cleaners come into contact with your wheels; and try not to spray cold water on hot wheels. If you go to the car wash, don't let them use steam cleaners or strong chemicals on your wheels. To brighten up your polished wheels (no clear coat) use a polishing cleaner provided by the manufacturer; this requires some real work. To sustain this great look, apply some wax to keep the weather out. Q. What's the best way to install and remove new wheels? A. That's a job that's best left to your tire dealer. A combination of special tools and methods are used to install wheels so they deliver the performance you paid for. Initial mounting of the assembly on the vehicle requires positioning and starting the lugs by hand. Next the lugs can be pre-tightened using a hand wrench or torque stick (a tool that ensures a lug is not over tightened). The final torque setting is applied using a calibrated torque wrench. Sounds complicated, but a trained technician (like those at Discount Tire) gets this done very quickly. Q. I just hit something in the road; how do I find out if my wheel is ok? A. If you have a vibration or pulling symptom, chances are you may have damaged the wheel. Again, go to the tire dealer and let him inspect your wheels. He will place each assembly on the balancing machine and check for run-out (a hop or wobble). If you have a damaged wheel, get the unit repaired or replaced immediately and avoid further problems.