OF late, our inbox is flooded with queries about fitment of after market alloy wheels and upsizing of tyres. While it may seem simple to choose an alloy wheel design of your taste and tyres of a reputable brand and get driving again, there are a host of problems that could arise if it is done incorrectly. The wrong off-set could lead to additional stress on your suspension components.
Choosing the wrong Pitch Circle Diameter and not centring the wheel properly could result in high speed wheel tramp. It was a little confusing and we needed an expert to throw more light on the topic. So we headed to Global Tyres, Kochi, who were more than happy to help us.
We were taken through a mesmerising array of alloy wheel patterns on display. The collection ranges from budget conscious brands like Aura, Neo, League (Rs 11,000 onwards) to high end ones like Lenso, Momo and Borbett (Rs 23,500 to Rs 80,000). Global Tyres also has a whole set of brochures that contain more patterns that can be made available without delay. We were told that the trend of alloy wheels is fast changing. People now prefer white, grey, gun-metal and bronze finishes to chrome and black combinations that were the rage two years ago. Red and black are two colours that add a true racer look but many buyers don’t go for it. Hyper silver is an all time favourite that won’t slip out of fashion any time soon.
Now comes the question of choosing the right upsize. While 17 or 18 inchers might look cool they will be too harsh on anything less than the smoothest of tarmac and most impractical for a midsize car with 14 or 15 inchers as standard. Go larger in diameter if you prefer looks and handling over ride quality. You will feel as though your car is on rails due to less sidewall flexing.
The larger you go on the diameter of the wheel the lower the tyre profile goes in order to maintain the outer diameter of the wheel and to keep errors out of your odo and speedometer readings.
Thinner side walls of tyres also mean more imperfections filtering into the cabin and the suspension working more to filter minute shocks. Stick to one or two level upsize at max and you will be fine.
Next we were on to gaining some knowledge on tyres. Global Tyres had a wide range of tyres that caught our interest. There were imported brands like Michelin, Yokohama, Continental, Dunlop and some native ones like Apollo and MRF. There were comfort tyres that last longer and have less noise along with less grip and sport tyres with a leech like grip but with a soft compound that will not last very long. The width of the tyre improves the grip, braking and stability of the car but at the cost of fuel efficiency. Too wide tyres can make your steering heavy and even slow the car down due to the additional drag.
With all the selection process completed you can sit back and relax in the air conditioned lounge with a huge plasma screen tuning in the dish tv content of your choice while your car gets done. Or else you could go there and watch the action while it happens. The tyres being eased in to the rim flanges, the bursting sound when they snap onto the rims when filled up, the way the wheels are fitted on to the car using air powered nut fasteners like in an F1 pit, the way the wheel alignment is done with computer aided mechanisms _ it all has to be seen.
Philip of Global says, “People are more and more interested in changing over to alloys, especially those who buy cars like the Honda City which doesn’t come with alloys as standard.” When we returned, we realised there was more to wheel upsizing than just tightening the nuts with a spanner.
vivekvenugopal@epmltd.com