Most of the vehicles launched in the Indian market have undersized rims and tyres. Some manufacturers provide steel wheels with hubcaps on their entry-level vehicles or entry variants of some of the cars. This practice is followed because the cars will deliver more kilometers per litre as there is less weight on the rims and the tyres are thinner. This reduces rolling resistance, saves energy and adds extra comfort. There is extra cost-saving in this method.

 

One of the main reasons for this practice by most automobile companies in India is the bad road conditions. Larger rim sizes lead to thinner side walls which might get damaged easily. Giving non-comfort tyres which are made of softer rubber compounds will lead to more punctures and cuts in the tyres. Hence they might not last for many kilometers.

A set of rims can make or break a car as they are one of the key elements in the aesthetics of a vehicle. As car enthusiasts we tend to change the rims and tyres of our vehicles. Upsizing your wheels and tyres can add to the visual appeal of your car and also give you a huge performance boost if done correctly.

Things to keep in mind while upgrading rims and tyres:

Know your car! Don’t just walk into a rims and tyre dealership and pick up any rim or tyre. Understand your car’s dynamics before buying or installing new rims and tyres.

A wider alloy and a thinner tyre would compromise on handling at corners and  might not take the stress the alloy would have to transfer to the tyre.

Know your alloy. Go for a reputed brand of rims and tyres.

While buying aftermarket rims, follow these steps:

 

(Is the numbering supposed to be 1-6??)

 

l  Rim diameter

l  Rim width

l  Offset

l  PCD  -- number of holes

l  Multi-PCD wheels -- never buy them

l  Don’t put and forget!

 

 

A little maintenance like wheel alignment, wheel balancing and tyre rotation, just like it would be required for a rim, is as important for an alloy as well. Usually, in alloy wheels, wheel weights are stuck on and not clamped on as they would in a steel wheel.

Advantages of Rims:

Better appearance: There isn’t a single other thing you can do to your car which is going to improve its appearance more than buying bigger wheels. But, before buying anything, you have to do some research which will help you decide on which wheels to buy. Do not get the first wheels you find desirable.

Improved stability: Small and thin wheels and tyres might be good for a few things, but they are certainly not good for stability. Regular tyres curve more in the corners which has a huge effect on stability. Also due to their width, they do not make a lot of contact with the road. The first thing you will notice when you drive a car with bigger wheels is the amazing stability which goes with them.

Shorter braking distance:  Basic physics benefits the braking distance. A wider tyre has more contact with the road which decreases braking distance.

Disadvantages of Rims:

Slower acceleration: Bigger wheels and tyres weigh more and they will make your engine work harder which will result in slower acceleration. 

Less comfort: If you put bigger wheels and tyres on your car it will be less comfortable because the tyres are harder and they have more contact with the road. There is no cheap solution to this problem. Regular tyres have some disadvantages when it comes to cornering and traction, but they do make your car more comfortable.

Increased fuel consumption: Bigger wheels and tyres of the wrong size are also much heavier which makes your engine work harder resulting in increased fuel consumption and slow acceleration.