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Steel Wheels vs Alloy Wheels - Which Is Better?

Aug 29, 2019 Car Tyres Tips & Tricks PitStopArabia

Introduction

Over the course of different articles, PitStopArabia has covered a wide variety of different articles. Previously we solely focused on people from the UAE’s point of view. Lately, we also considered the fact that UAE nationals love to travel outside the UAE as well. It is why in the last couple of articles, we have focused on topics which are not solely focused on the UAE.

The reason is to inform the people about driving in varied conditions. It will help them to tackle any challenges that come their way while in a foreign country. However, today, the focus of the article is not the UAE or any other specific area. Instead, today’s article is regarding one of the oldest debates among car enthusiasts around the world.

This debate goes back many years and there is no clear-cut winner. The reason is that both sides have strong arguments in their favour. In this article, we will be talking about steel and alloy rims. Car enthusiasts have preferred one over the other for multiple reasons. Although it is unclear whether these arguments have clear scientific backing, or they are just the result of subjective opinions.

In this article, we will be considering the pros and cons of both types of wheels. Towards the end of the article, PitStopArabia will try to reach a just conclusion. The conclusion is reached by taking into account robust facts backed by real-word evidence rather than subjective opinions. Whether you agree with us or not is totally up to you!

Before taking more of your time, it is time to discuss the two types of wheels.

Steel Wheels

Steel wheels are made from iron and carbon and are the more commonly used type when it comes to wheels. They are more durable and also less expensive. There is not much to talk about when it comes to steel wheels. Therefore, it is better to get straight down to pros and cons.

Pros

  • Inexpensive – Steels wheels are quite inexpensive as compared to alloy wheels. Hence, they are installed on most non-luxury cars and helps keep the final price tag low.
  • As it is made of steel, they are easier to repair. Even if bent, they can be repaired.
  • As they are heavier than alloy wheels, they perform well in snowy conditions due to the extra weight.

Cons

  • In non-snowy conditions, the heavy weight leads to more fuel consumption.
  • The heavier weight also leads to low steering response.
  • Lower heat dispersion which lead to a host of other issues.
  • There are not a lot of customizations available.
  • Not available for wheels with large diameters.

Alloy Wheels

Alloy wheels are not a recent invention. They have been in use for many years now. The first alloy wheels can be tracked back to the 1960s. However, they were not so commonly used back then as they are now. In today’s market, alloy wheels are used by automobile manufacturers to make a particular model stand out from the rest.

It is offered as a premium feature by most automobile manufacturers today. It is used to enhance a vehicle’s physical features among other things. You might be wondering what exactly are alloy wheels? To explain it in simple words, they are made up of magnesium or aluminium alloy. What exactly is an alloy, you might be wondering? An alloy is a material composed of metal and other materials.

Alloys are stronger than the normal metal. It is important to mention here that steel which makes up steel wheels are also alloys. However, the term ‘alloy wheels’ refers to only those made from nonferrous alloys. Nonferrous are those which do not contain iron. There is no need to go in further detail than this.

Now that you know what alloy wheels are, let us consider its pros and cons.

Pros

  • Lightweight – Alloy wheels are lighter than steel wheels. Hence, it improves the fuel economy, better handling and even quicker heat dispersion.
  • Quicker heat dispersion means that the likelihood of brake failure due to excessive heat is quite low.
  • Ideal for high-performance and sports cars.
  • Improve the vehicle’s overall appearance.
  • Alloys wheels have a wide variety of customizations to offer.
  • Ideal for wheels with large diameters.

Cons

  • Less durable – they do not bend like steel wheels. It only breaks which makes it less durable.
  • Unrepairable – In case an alloy wheel breaks, it is nearly impossible to repair. Instead, you will have to buy a new one.
  • Cost – Alloys wheels are more expensive than steel wheels. Also, as mentioned above, they cannot be repaired. Therefore, you will have to buy a new one in case the first one breaks.

Conclusion

Ultimately the choice between alloy wheels and steel wheels comes down to personal preferences. Both have their pros and cons. If you are a person whose sole concern is getting from point A to B, steel wheels are perfect. If you are someone who prefers style and maximum performance, alloy wheels are the right choice for you.

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