Why Wheel Weight Matters
Wheel weight is a pretty heavy subject. Lighter wheels require less energy to turn and slow down. This is big news because it helps lower fuel consumption and reduces brake wear.
But the benefits of lighter wheels don't stop there.
When you reduce wheel weight, you lower your unsprung mass, i.e. the weight supported by your vehicle's suspension system. This has multiple benefits, including snappier steering response, reduced brake wear and less wear-and-tear on vehicle suspension.
While lighter wheels can improve vehicle performance, they also have to be strong enough to support your vehicle's weight and endure the rigors of daily driving.
Wheel manufacturers can address these demands in a variety of ways, typically with different materials and rim construction methods. Through these techniques, wheel builders can provide the necessary strength and weight for your needs, often while maintaining lower manufacturing costs.
HOW MUCH DO MY WHEELS WEIGH?
If you're wondering how much your wheels weigh, it's important to know that the material used makes a big impact on the wheels' weight and performance. The two main types of materials used for everyday street/off-road use are steel and aluminum. The exact weight of your wheels will vary depending on the material used, the manufacturing process and the wheel size.
STEEL WHEELS
Steel is strong and durable, and is typically easy to repair. Steel is heavier than aluminum but is strong and resistant to damage.
Steel wheels are typically made using two pieces, called the inner and outer, which are welded together. This process creates a solid marriage of the two pieces. Steel wheels have more room for imperfections that are easily absorbed due to the higher overall wheel weight.
ALUMINUM (ALLOY) WHEELS
One of the main benefits of aluminum (alloy) wheels is their lighter weight and a huge range of styles and designs. There are a lot of construction methods used when making aluminum wheels, but most are made using a casting process. Aluminum wheels are the most common aftermarket wheel due to the wide variety of finishes, colors, spokes and overall customizations.
MANUFACTURING METHODS AND WHEEL WEIGHT
There are several methods used to construct wheels so that they are lighter and stronger. As with all things, each building process comes with its pros and cons. Typically, the more sophisticated the construction process, the higher the cost.
ONE-PIECE CAST WHEELS
One-piece cast wheels are the most common wheels on the road today. Casting is the process where molten aluminum is poured into a mold to create a one-piece wheel. As the material cools and hardens, it takes the shape of the mold.
There are three types of casting methods: low-pressure casting, high-pressure casting and gravity casting.
Manufacturers will choose between these methods depending on the weight, strength, finish and total cost that the product demands.
Gravity casting produces a slightly heavier, weaker wheel that has a very low cost. Meanwhile, high-pressure cast wheels produce a very light, very strong wheel that has a much higher cost. Low-pressure cast wheels are the best of both worlds, combining the low cost of a gravity cast wheel with the strength and weight benefits of a high-pressure cast rim.
FLOW FORMED/RIM-ROLLED WHEELS
Almost like a combination of a cast wheel and a forged wheel, a rim-rolled wheel uses a low-pressure casting that is then heated and rolled out to achieve the desired shape and size.
This process creates a rim that is lighter and stronger than a standard cast rim, making it like a forged wheel, but often at a cheaper price point.
Due to the performance benefits and lower associated costs, flow formed wheels are becoming increasingly popular, and we love to see that!
FORGED/BILLET WHEELS
Although the words have become synonymous, they have different meanings. Forging is a manufacturing process that uses billet as a building material for the forging process.
The billet, a solid cube of dense aluminum, is placed in the forge where thousands of pounds of pressure are used to press or roll the billet into its fundamental form. The forged aluminum is then machined to its final finished shape.
The forging process allows the wheel to be built with less material, resulting in a lighter, stronger wheel with a huge variety of unique designs.
MULTI-PIECE WHEELS
Just like the name indicates, multi-piece wheels are built in separate pieces.
Multi-piece wheels often use a combination of any of the processes mentioned above to make two or three individual parts that are then attached via welds, rivets or screws. This construction process allows for an almost limitless variety of wheel options.
Thanks to the on-tap variation of the multi-piece design, these rims can be customized by weight, strength and size. Some wheels may even have a cast aluminum center welded into a steel barrel. A three-piece wheel may feature a forged center that is riveted or screwed to a cast or steel barrel. This process allows wheels to be customized and made as light and as strong as needed to meet the requirements of any vehicle type.
While knowing all of these things about how your wheels were made (and what they were made with) can be super helpful, one of the easiest ways to determine your wheels' approximate weight is by shopping on our website. Our product pages will tell you what your wheels weigh, so you can make an informed decision when shopping for your fresh set of rims!
And because we know how your new rims look is important, you can check out our wheel visualizer. It'll show you exactly what your favorite rims look like on your vehicle, including make, model and OE paint color.
When you're ready to buy your new set of rims, be sure to buy and book online to get a shorter wait time in-store!
If you have any other questions about all the different types of wheels or how your rims are made, stop by your nearest store or schedule an appointment, and we'll get you taken care of!
