Car Rims

Hot rims will have your ride rollin' in style

Car enthusiasts are not only concerned about making their vehicles go fast - they also want their vehicles to look good. You can buy body kits, skirts, fender flares, bumpers and spoilers, but all these things take time, money and a considerable amount of body work. Rims, on the other hand, are quick and easy to install and will instantly give your vehicle a facelift.

Choosing the Right Rims

The easiest and most popular aftermarket customization is to replace your factory 15- or 16-inch wheels with bigger and wider 17- or 18-inch aftermarket rims. This will instantly add personality and improve the braking and handling of nearly any vehicle. You'll need a set of new tires to go with your rims, and that's why most suppliers offer rim and tire packages. Packages can start as low as $1,000 (for four tires and rims) and run as high as $3,000 per rim.

Choosing the right rims starts with the size. Rims range in size from 17 inches all the way up to a massive 30 inches, but 17- and 18-inch rims should serve most cars well. Anything bigger on a car will just look out of place, since the larger rims (over 20 inches) are meant for SUVs and trucks. Visit a supplier who can advise you on finding the right size for your vehicle that won't cause any problems or safety concerns.

Don't forget that the larger the rim, the more braking power you're going to need. This means you might have to change your brakes when you change your rims.

Next you need to decide on the color and style of your rims. The style of your rims is simply a matter of personal taste. The colors vary between black, white, silver, gunmetal and chrome. Silver is a safe choice because it will look good on any vehicle. If the paint color of your car is silver, then gunmetal may be a better choice. Chrome rims are top-of-the-line - especially when they're spinners. They are flashy and expensive-looking and will make people take notice.

Just make sure that your chrome rims aren't worth more than your car - they look best on luxury vehicles or sports cars. When you put them on your beat-up station wagon, it just looks like you're trying too hard.

Rim Maintenance

Follow these precautions and your car and rims will enjoy many special years together:

• Avoid potholes! These can be fatal to a great set of aftermarket rims by causing them to crack. Aftermarket rims are usually made of aluminum, which is a soft metal. It can't handle the serious bumps like factory steel rims.
• Clean your rims regularly. All you need is water and mild detergent to remove dirt and brake dust from the rims.
• Chrome rims need special care. It's not a durable material. Chrome needs to be kept clean and polished or it will discolor or tarnish. Small scratches should be touched up to prevent corrosion. Wash your chrome rims with water and a mild detergent, and apply a chrome polish to keep them shining bright.