If you don’t exercise proper care while driving, you can easily damage your alloy wheels. Well, sturdy and effective wheels don’t come cheap, and it is prudent that you learn to care for the rims if you want them to last and give you value for their money.
However, you will understand the best driving practices that care for the wheels if you know how they get damaged. Learn about how you can prevent the following kinds of harm:
Kerbing
The easiest way to damage your alloy wheels is to allow any form of contact with the kerb edge when you are putting your car in the parking. Kerbing causes ugly scratches and gouges around the edge of the rims. It would help if you were not driving too close to the pavements. Ensure also that your car doesn’t make any contact with the pavements and kerbs.
Scratched wheels don’t only compromise on the safety standard of your vehicle but will also give your car a cheap look. It will also cost a lot for you to fix the mess. However, this is one of the most manageable damages to prevent. It only takes discipline and conscious driving habits.
Improper inflation of tyres
If you continually drive your car with under-inflated tires, you should understand that you have been courting wheel damage. The underinflated tyres increase the risk of having a puncture. Now, a puncture when your car is on high-speeds will damage the wheels.
Besides, when you drive with under-inflated tyres, your car tends to take longer to brake. This may result in extensive skidding, which further damages and weakens the rims. It would help if you made it a constant practice to routinely check the tire pressure, especially when embarking on long drives. If you fail to check the tyre pressure routinely, you will only live to regret it.
Using wrong cleaning material
Using abrasive brushes with sharp bristles to clean you allow rims may result in damage. Ensure you only use the right cleaning material, such as a soft-bristled wheel brush that does good work without causing any damage. The wrong cleaning material may cause score marks, scratches, and swirls that degrade the value of your rims and car.
If you can afford a microfiber towel, the better, the towel does a better cleaning job and will give your wheel a gentle stylish finish. Additionally, ensure you polish your rims once you are through with cleaning. A nice polish will not only maintain the newness of your wheels but will also protect them against dirt or corrosion.
Car washes
Don’t put all your trust in a local hand car wash or automatic car wash facility in your neighborhood. Some of these car washes use the wrong cleaning products that may cause extensive damage to the body and the wheels. Some will use an acid type spray that effectively removes dirt and dust from the alloy wheels. However, these sprays will also cause the surface layer of the wheels to peel off. This will not only expose the wheels to corrosive agents but will also give it an undesirable look.
If it is possible, undertake to wash the car yourself at home. You can also take the vehicle to a car wash you can trust and let them wash it under your supervision. Ensure you use only the approved cleaning agents and materials to remove dirt and dust from your car’s wheels.
Potholes
Driving in surfaces with potholes can have adverse effects on your wheels. Potholes in the UK are a significant cause of damaged car wheels. If you cannot avoid driving on poorly surfaced roads, you need to drive at low speeds. When you drive over a pothole at high speeds, you increase the risk of extensively damaging your tyres and wheel.
Potholes don’t only cause damage to the wheels; it will also destabilize your car, which may result in serious accidents. They also cause early suspension wear and damage to various parts of your vehicle. Make it a routine practice to check your tyres and wheels after driving on the road full of potholes.
Brake dust
When you engage your car brakes, tiny particles of dust usually settle on your rims. If the speck of dust is not removed routinely, they will build up into a small mountain. This build-up will eventually burn into the surface or the wheel to cause damage.
You should, therefore, ensure that your wheels are regularly washed to remove the dirt. If you fail to carry out routine cleaning of the wheels, it may be a challenge to get rid of the effects of brake dust. Your only option at this stage is to have the wheel refurbished, and a fresh coat of paint added. If you are in the UK, you can get the best Manchester alloy repair services at manchesterdiamondcutalloys.co.uk
Wheel nuts
If you remove the locking wheel nuts using the wrong tool, damage to the alloy wheels may be inevitable. It would be best if you only used the right tools to fasten or remove the wheel nuts. The right tool is usually a locking wheel nut key, and if you don’t have one, you should leave the nuts in place until you get the right tool. Alternatively, engage a qualified mechanic to remove or fasten the wheels for you. Qualified wheel nut experts usually have sophisticated and efficient tools that do that job faster and more efficiently.
Conclusion
From the points highlighted above, it is evident that there are several ways through which you can damage your alloy wheels. You have to avoid some of the mentioned causes of alloy wheel damage to ensure that the parts last for long.
Make it your driving priority to avoid the mistakes discussed in this article. With good driving habits and routine maintenance, your alloy rims will last for ages to guarantee a happy driving experience.
