Wheels and Tires: A Brief Introduction
Would you like to make an informed buying decision when it comes to purchasing wheels and tires ?
Steel and aluminium are the number one materials the majority of wheels on cars and trucks are made from. They are also known as alloy wheels. Steel wheels are typically finished off with a plastic hubcap to give the look of a custom alloy wheel. Alloy wheels are typically cast or forged and polished or powdercoated to give a shiny finish to the wheel.
Wheels and tires contribute by a considerable amount to the look and style of your car. Also they are you vehicle’s connection to the road which affects handling, ride comfort, braking and fuel efficiency.
Wheel manufacturing
Gravity cast: The process of pouring molten aluminum into a mold utilizing the earth’s gravity to fill the mold. Since the process relies on gravity to fill the mold, the aluminum is not as densely packed in the mold as some other casting processes. Often gravity cast wheels will have a higher weight to achieve the required strength.
Low Pressure cast: Low pressure casting uses positive pressure to move the molten aluminum into the mold quicker and achieve a finished product that has improved mechanical properties over a gravity cast wheel.
Forged: Forging is the process of forcing a solid billet of aluminum between the forging dies under an extreme amount of pressure. This creates a finished product that is very dense, very strong and therefore can be very light. The costs of tooling, development, equipment, etc., make this type of wheel very exclusive and usually demand a high price in the aftermarket.
Tires
What tire symbols represent:
135/25R18 91S.
135 represents the section width, or cross-section in millimeters (mm).
25 represents the sidewall aspect ratio, or the thickness in millimeters (mm)
18 represents the diameter in inches (in).
R represents internal construction.
-R represents radial.
-D represents diagonal.
-B represents belted.
91S represents the service description. 91 is the load index, and the letter S is the speed rating. Speed ratings go up to Z, or the highest speed rating.
If you have further questions on this matter, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Dixie Savage. You can find them in Alachua County, Gilchrist County, Leon County, Madison County, Taylor County and Old Town FL.
