Alloy wheels vs steel wheels - which is better

Table of Contents

Alloy wheels
Steel wheels
Can you replace steel wheels with alloys?

Which one should you choose? Steel or alloy wheels? You may think the only difference between the two types is the aesthetics, but the choice you make can also impact the vehicle’s fuel economy, unsprung weight, and performance.

Alloy wheels

First of all, what is an alloy wheel? Alloys are made by combining two or more metals to create a material that is stronger and more resistant to rust. In the case of wheels, they are normally made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. Alloys are often associated with luxury cars and are mostly used by manufacturers for high-end or sports models. There are also many different designs and customisation options for these wheels.

alloy vs steel wheels

Pros

Swanky-looking wheels that can be polished, painted or chrome plated
Light-weight materials, reducing the unsprung mass of the vehicle and thereby improving its fuel economy, acceleration, and braking performance
Enhanced performance and reduced strain on the suspension system
Resistance to corrosion and dust

Cons

Expensive to purchase, produce, and repair - the prices can be up to 50% higher than for steel wheels
Less strong than steel and consequently more prone to damage, such as dents, cracks and kerb rashes

Steel wheels

While they may not be as fancy, steel car wheels get the job done. They are much heavier but highly durable and less susceptible to cosmetic damage. The wheels are often chosen for their dependability, sturdiness and low prices. They have stood the test of time and remain fairly popular for offroad SUVs, trucks and heavy motor vehicles. A heavier wheel can also be advantageous in snowy weather conditions. The extra weight will make the tyres bite the snow harder and prevent slipping. In this case, decreased acceleration and a low centre of gravity can be beneficial.

It may be possible to spruce up steel rims with car wheel covers that make them look like alloys. The quality of the covers is important as they can sometimes be quite flimsy or loose. The covers are usually held in place by a spring steel grip.

steel car wheels

Pros

Most affordable option due to cost-effective manufacturing processes
Extremely durable; bending steel requires a lot of force and the metal virtually never cracks
Fairly easy to repair due to being malleable and low maintenance
Ideal for winter or harsh driving conditions

Cons

Adds to the unsprung weight of the car, dampening acceleration and reducing the car’s agility
Can corrode more easily in humid or salty environments
May look plain or unattractive

Can you replace steel wheels with alloys?

Steel rims are quite limited in terms of size and compatibility. It is therefore generally not recommended to swap steel rims for alloys. The majority of steel wheels have a diameter of 16″ or less and some high-performance vehicles require larger rims.

Wheel and tyre maintenance

Wheel trims

If your wheel trims are damaged or marked, there are many different replacement products and designs available on the aftermarket. However, it’s important to get the right size to make sure that they are compatible with your car tyres. The recommended size is indicated on the sidewall of the vehicle. If you take a look at the tyre markings, there is normally one letter which is followed by a number, e.g. “R14”. This means that the tyres are compatible with “14” inch trims.

If you’re shopping online and want to narrow your search results, you can enter the product name and unique vehicle identification number (VIN) or vehicle model, e.g. “Fiat 500 wheel trims”.

Which tyres for which wheels?

As mentioned above, the main downside of alloy wheels is that they are easily damaged by impacts, such as minor collisions, kerbing, and potholes. However, there are certain tyres that offer more protection than others. For example, many tyres are designed with rim protection, consisting of an extra piece of reinforced rubber where the tyre contacts the rim. This protruding rubber protects the alloy wheels, absorbing the force from minor impacts.

Tyre pressure

For any rim and tyre combination, there are recommended tyre pressures for your vehicle. Maintaining the right air pressure ensures that the weight of your vehicle is distributed evenly across the tyre’s tread. When the tyre is overinflated or underinflated, the car becomes less stable and can become very difficult to control. This is why you should remember to regularly check your tyre pressure, as well as the condition of the tyres and valves. Using proper car tyre valve caps can prevent your tyres from leaking.

A useful video on this topic: