Mix and match wheels?

[Deleted User]

Iceweasel wrote: »

The spacesaver is a temporary spare - how long does it take to fix a puncture?

I haven't been able to get the wheel into the tyre bay, because of my working hours.

Today is my first day off work, since the puncture (which occurred Friday evening) and it's in, as I type, having a fresh tyre fitted.

The punctured tyre is a write off, which is b****y annoying, because it's only about 10,000 miles old. :mad:

Limey

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

BTW. another question if I may.

I'm thinking of getting a spare set of wheels, and having winter tyres fitted to them.

I've heard it's better to use steel, rather than alloy, wheels, for winter tyres?

So, what do you think? Alloy or steel for winter tyres?

I don't think it makes a significant difference, other than steel wheels will resist dropping into hidden potholes in the snow better.

Plus side of alloys with wide spaced spokes is that they will stay clear of snow build up within the wheel.

[Deleted User]

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

If the bolts are too long they could foul the mechanism inside the hub, eg brake shoes and fittings if you have drum rears.

Not a problem, as they are studs and nuts, rather than bolts.

[Deleted User]

Limey wrote: »

I don't think it makes a significant difference, other than steel wheels will resist dropping into hidden potholes in the snow better.

Someone did tell me (but it could be b*****ks/urban myth) that steel wheels are less likely to be damaged, if you slide into a kerb, or if you run over something buried under the snow.

Also, I would imagine a higher profile tyre would help with the kerb bumping, but I'm wary of changing to a higher profile tyre, in case it affects handling.

Slowly_does_it..

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Not a problem, as they are studs and nuts, rather than bolts.

Check the nuts tighten down properly, I have seen capped nuts where the cap hits the end of the stud before the wheel is tight.

I have a 56 focus, and found a full set of alloys on gumtree for £50. Bought those and stuck my winter tyres on them. Use the space saver to get home, and then put winters on that "axle" until I get the puncture fixed.

Strider590

Regarding alloy v steel difference..........

Alloy wheels reduce unsprung weight, which improves the handling characteristics of the car as the suspension doesn't have to work so hard to keep them in contact with the road..... Or at least in theory.

Unfortunately these days alloy wheels are mostly just for show, a tyre is lighter than metal, so having large rims negates any advantage gained.

Competition cars (and indeed F1 cars) you'll notice have quite high profile tyres for the simple reason that a big rubber balloon is lighter than metal.

mattyprice4004

Iceweasel wrote: »

I have 2 sets of alloys and swap them over when the clocks change.

I wouldn't want my car to look 'odd/naff' with steel wheels for half the year.

If a jobs worth doing it's worth doing right.

Please, tell us more about how your car isn't odd or naff looking.
In all seriousness though, just because someone chooses to use steel wheels for winter doesn't make their car look odd or naff.
Also, alloy wheels tend to be much more brittle than steel - if you hit a steel wheel after skidding, a lot of the time you can hammer it back to shape. A cracked alloy is usually game over.
Using alloys as winter wheels isn't the only way to 'do it right'.

Weird_Nev

Steel wheels are commonly used for winters because they offer better clearance for calipers - so you might be able to run 16" steels but 17" Alloys, because the alloys need thicker spokes and rim etc for the same strength. Smaller wheels are favourable in winter conditions because they allow for more sidewall deformation, therefore more tread on the ground and better grip.

If you buy a car in the scandinavian countries, they will usually come with the smaller wheel set as an option for our winter wheels.

In the UK there is no real need as we don't cope with extreme winter conditions, so any old set of alloys will do. I'd just get a second set from a breakers, that's what I've always used as either track or winter wheels with a second set of tyres on.

Strider590 wrote: »

Competition cars (and indeed F1 cars) you'll notice have quite high profile tyres for the simple reason that a big rubber balloon is lighter than metal.

Balls. the reason they have 13" wheels is because the regulations specify that they must have 13" wheels. If they could use larger ones, believe me they would.

Strider590

Weird_Nev wrote: »

Balls. the reason they have 13" wheels is because the regulations specify that they must have 13" wheels. If they could use larger ones, believe me they would.

No, really they wouldn't........

I own a kitcar, I know people who own the same type of car, who compete in events up and down the country. The first thing they do is ditch the standard 15inch wheels and fit 13s, because it makes a MASSIVE difference to the cars feel and performance along with fitting lightweight alloy brakes, alloy hubs and alloy uprights (to further reduce unsprung weight). When you have a vehicle that's of a light weight construction, reducing unsprung weight is one of THE single biggest performance enhancements you can do. Every kilogram you cut from the unsprung weight is worth more than 2 kilograms off the rest of the car.

Iceweasel

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

Please, tell us more about how your car isn't odd or naff looking.
In all seriousness though, just because someone chooses to use steel wheels for winter doesn't make their car look odd or naff.
Also, alloy wheels tend to be much more brittle than steel - if you hit a steel wheel after skidding, a lot of the time you can hammer it back to shape. A cracked alloy is usually game over.
Using alloys as winter wheels isn't the only way to 'do it right'.

I was meaning that I didn't like the look of steel wheels compared to alloys on my car.

Surely there are very few people who don't care what their car looks like.

There is always a compromise/play off between looks and cost - so if cost is more important then fine - get steel wheels.

The chances of skidding into a kerb if you have winter tyres is much less - but I agree a steel wheel will likely withstand a bit more kerbing than an alloy.

I would encourage anyone to get a 2nd set of wheels for winter tyres and if the price difference was make or break deciding factor then of course go for cheaper wheels.