It may not come as a surprise to hear that the automotive industry is one of the largest in the entire world, and every year, tens of millions of cares and pickup trucks alike are built and sold around the globe. The United States, Germany, and Japan in particular make some of the world’s favorite cars brands. What is more, this automotive industry spans not only the production and sales of vehicles, but also the aftermarket parts industry, which is quite large in its own right. These aftermarket parts may go on the car’s body, on the wheels, or in the engine or the car’s interior to modify its performance, aesthetics, or both. Most often, it is car enthusiasts with a private garage of their own who are buying fancy car wheel rims and custom wheels, though any car owner will need new tires for their vehicle every so often. A damaged or worn out tire does no good, and in fact may make a car less fuel efficient and less safe to drive. When is it time for wheels and tires to be replaced, and why?
A New Car Tire
All cars and trucks have tires on them, and although some newer cars have non-inflated, puncture-proof wheels (a recent innovation), most cars and trucks today make use of conventional, inflatable rubber tires. An ideal car tire is tough, fully inflated on its wheel, and has not suffered any damage and has seen limited time on the road. All cars, new and used, are bought with tires on them, but a tire may need to be replaced soon after a used car is bought, and all tires need replacement eventually. A tire has pressurized air in it, but over time and after many miles of use, a tire may start to wear out and slowly deflate and deform, even if it was never punctured. These old, soft tires may make the car less fuel efficient and in extreme cases, they may make the car’s performance erratic and thus somewhat dangerous. A car owner may track when and where a tire, or a set of them, was installed on the car. This makes it much easier to know when a new tire should be installed on a wheel.
As expected, sheer trauma will certainly ruin a tire and require that it be replaced at once. If a car or truck runs over a sharp piece of scrap metal, or broken glass or wood or a rock, that tire may get punctured and may even explode. It is not uncommon for tires to burst on the road after they hit something (even a pothole may rupture them), and such a tire is reduced to shreds. The car’s owner may then put on a spare tire on their car until they can get new tires put on. And of course, there is also the threat of vandalism, when a person punctures or slashes a car’s tire deliberately for some reason or other. In any case, new tires can be fitted on, and they will be fully pressurized and tough, ready for the road. New tires may also have excellent grip, which is especially important for risky road conditions such as snow, ice, and heavy rain. A car owner may choose particular car tires based on the weather, intended driving in the future, or personal preference. A number of car tire brands have proven reliable and popular, and a car owner may choose one that they like.
Car Wheels
Cars don’t get their wheels replaced as often as the tires, but all the same, a wheel may sometimes suffer damage, such as from an auto accident or if the bearings wear out. Wheel alignment maintenance may also be done, and this will keep the car in good shape and maintain its performance. And on top of that, many car enthusiasts demand more out of their cars and may replace their car wheels for aesthetics, boosted performance, or both. New wheels and tires may be installed for street racing, and a car enthusiast may put on new tires or refinish them (or put on new rims) for appearances. May car owners like to show off customized vehicles at car meets, after all.