Wheels and tires are your car’s only contact points with the ground. At any given moment, they’re supporting thousands of pounds, softening your ride, protecting the suspension, and taking a beating from the unforgiving pavement, all simultaneously.
To say they’re important is a massive understatement. And that’s why it’s absolutely essential that you keep your wheels and tires in good health, which means making sure your rims are in good condition.
How do you know if you need your rims fixed? How do you know if you need to buck up and buy brand new rims for your car? Let’s dig a little deeper.
What Is a Rim?
Before we worry about whether you need to fix or replace them, let’s define what we actually mean when we say “rims,” because there’s been some confusion on the matter.
What’s the Difference Between Wheels and Rims?
Let’s all say it together, real loud: the words “wheel” vs. “rim” are not interchangeable.
When many people refer to a car’s rims, they’re talking about the entire wheel, and while this is understandable, it’s technically incorrect. The rim is, in fact, part of the wheel—quite literally, the rim is the edge of the wheel, where it meets the tire. Its curved design keeps the bead of the tire in place and prevents pressure loss.
When we talk about replacing the rims, we’re actually talking about replacing the entire wheel, because it’s all one solid piece of metal, so you can’t just take the rim off the wheel. So, from here on out, when we say “new rims,” we effectively mean “new wheels.”
What’s the Difference Between Hubcaps and Rims?
And what about hubcaps vs. wheel covers? What are center caps? Once again, these terms are often all used interchangeably, but they’re all distinct things.
- Hubcaps cover only the hub, or center, of the wheel.
- Center caps are basically the same as hubcaps, except some only cover the center spindle, and don’t cover the lug nuts.
- Wheel covers clip in around the rim, and cover the entire surface of the wheel.
Wheel Rims: Repair, or Replace?
Now that we all agree on exactly what a rim is, check out our quick wheel rim FAQ.
How Long Do Rims Last?
There’s no across-the-board straight answer because it depends on a few factors.
Many automakers claim that their OEM (original equipment manufacturer) rims are designed to last the entire lifespan of the car, in the right conditions. This is because wheels typically aren’t made of steel anymore, but aluminum, or some other metal alloy which is resistant to rust. While the metals in wheels may not rust, they can still corrode, which can lead to structural failure if left unaddressed.
While rims aren’t manufactured with a precise expiration date, in the real world, they can and will eventually wear out. This is why it’s important to have wheels and tires periodically inspected by a service technician.
What Are Some Signs I May Need My Wheels Replaced?
There are a few major giveaways:
- Any cracks or fissures in the metal
- Any major dents
- Any large chips or chunks missing
- Severely bent rims
- Damaged lug nut holes
- The tire won’t hold air
- A bumpy, uneven ride
If you experience any of the above, especially if there’s visible damage to the wheel, it’s important that you look into buying a new one immediately. Driving with damaged rims is a serious road hazard.
Do I Need to Replace All Four Rims at the Same Time?
It’s generally considered good practice to replace all four of your tires at the same time because it prevents uneven wear. Does the same rule apply to wheels?
Again, it depends.
If you’re replacing a wheel because of pothole or curb damage, or damage due to a collision with another car, you may not need to replace all four at once. If you have your wheels inspected by a professional and it turns out only one or two of them are damaged, you can save a decent chunk of change by keeping the intact wheels and just fixing or replacing the ones that are damaged.
If you have old wheels that have degraded due to use, age, or inclement environmental conditions, it’s more likely that you’ll be looking at replacing all of them at the same time. Buying all four can actually save you money in the long run—many manufacturers offer discounts on full sets, so it ends up being a better deal than just buying them piecemeal as they wear out.
Where Should I Buy New Rims?
Some people maintain that junkyards and online marketplaces like Craigslist are the best places to buy new rims. Indeed, they’re surely the cheapest place to buy new rims, but that doesn’t make them the best. It can be hard to know how old the wheels are, or where they came from, which means they could only have a few years left in them. Worse still, unless they’ve been inspected by an automotive technician, they could already be damaged. So, while buying used rims can save you money short term, it’s always a gamble.
The other option is, of course, going for new OEM wheels from a dealership or other licensed seller. OEM parts have the advantage of being tailor-made for your specific vehicle, and while buying brand new can be pricier in the moment, they also come with the peace of mind that they’re unlikely to malfunction. New parts also come with optional warranties. Going the OEM route is also an opportunity to find the best place to buy tire and wheel packages. Buying everything at once is a solid way to lower your overall new rim and tire cost.
Can Wheel Rims Be Repaired?
Yes, in many cases buying new rims for your car isn’t actually necessary. It all basically depends on whether the underlying structure of the wheel has been damaged.
If there’s a dent in the wheel or a bend in the rim, a professional may be able to fix the issue without scrapping the whole thing. The key is that this is usually only an option if the damage is relatively minor, which means the structural integrity of the wheel isn’t compromised.
Wheels with corrosion can also be refinished, which will eliminate the impurities and protect from corrosion happening in the future.
Looking For Wheel Repair in Miami?
Whether you just need some scratches buffed out, or you decide to buy all-new alloy rims, Braman Hyundai has you covered with genuine Hyundai parts. Call us at (786) 623-4261 to contact our tire center, and be sure to ask about saving money with our parts specials.
