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They look better than plain steel wheels, but alloys demand some added thought and care for the colder months
by BRIAN TURNER | SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
The number of drivers using dedicated winter tires for their rides through our somewhat unpredictable winters continues to climb. According to a recent report by Leger for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, every province in Canada has risen by about 10 per cent since 2014, with Atlantic Canadians running at 81 per cent usage and Ontario drivers at 65 per cent. It’s also the law to have them for winter in Quebec.
As such, a lot of consumers are opting for dressier alloy wheels for their ‘winter boots.’ While appearance is certainly a factor as more drivers shun plain steel wheels, alloy wheels can also improve suspension and steering performance by reducing the amount of driveline weight outside the springs and control arms, known as unsprung weight. More and more players in the alloy wheel market with larger varieties of wheels have put competitive price pressures on products, bringing them into the budget range of more and more consumers. But, as with almost anything else in an active retail field, there are risks to avoid and ways to ensure value for money.
For many shoppers, the source for their alloy winter rim purchase is usually their tire retailer. Yes, many car dealerships are offering winter tire and rim packages with new and used vehicle deals, but almost all of these are steel wheel affairs. Aftermarket alloys come in a wide variety of qualities as well as styles, and you need to ask a few questions when consulting with your retailer. Read more...
by BRIAN TURNER | SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
The number of drivers using dedicated winter tires for their rides through our somewhat unpredictable winters continues to climb. According to a recent report by Leger for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, every province in Canada has risen by about 10 per cent since 2014, with Atlantic Canadians running at 81 per cent usage and Ontario drivers at 65 per cent. It’s also the law to have them for winter in Quebec.
As such, a lot of consumers are opting for dressier alloy wheels for their ‘winter boots.’ While appearance is certainly a factor as more drivers shun plain steel wheels, alloy wheels can also improve suspension and steering performance by reducing the amount of driveline weight outside the springs and control arms, known as unsprung weight. More and more players in the alloy wheel market with larger varieties of wheels have put competitive price pressures on products, bringing them into the budget range of more and more consumers. But, as with almost anything else in an active retail field, there are risks to avoid and ways to ensure value for money.
For many shoppers, the source for their alloy winter rim purchase is usually their tire retailer. Yes, many car dealerships are offering winter tire and rim packages with new and used vehicle deals, but almost all of these are steel wheel affairs. Aftermarket alloys come in a wide variety of qualities as well as styles, and you need to ask a few questions when consulting with your retailer. Read more...
. This time, I stick to OEM
