I’m looking at different automakers websites on the internet. I notice the base model always comes with steel wheels (rims), and they always offer an upgrade to alloy wheels (usually an inch or 2 larger as well). My understanding is that the steel wheels are basically functionally better i.e. last…

Lower unsprung weight improves handling and lower rotational mass improves response to acceleration.

First of all, steel is an alloy. Everyone abbreviates Aluminum alloy OR Magnesium alloy incorrectly to just “alloy”. Sorry to be pedantic. Yes, you are correct, steel is cheaper and stronger than “alloy”, but heavier, so you have more unsprung weight, which changes the suspension, not for the bette…

First, there has been a move to eliminate asbestos in brake pads - and to achieve the same performance level, the brakes needed to get bigger. That also meant the rim diameters needed to get bigger. To keep the same tire diameter, the OEM’s moved to lower aspect ratios. In trucks, they could go t…

I like steel wheels with the proper trim but they can be downright ugly on a lot of vehicles. Alloy wheels are usually always better looking. The one steel wheel that’s my favorite is the GM rally wheel which was on a lot of earlier Corvettes, Nova’s and Camaro’s. I’ve used them on several different…

Of course, CapiRacer is correct on all counts, but I wanted to add a thought to this comment of his: And while they (alloy wheels) do corrode, the corrosion is less visible than rust. Am I the only one who has noticed that a huge percentage of the steel wheels nowadays are coated with rust after j…

VDC, I think you are correct. With (my opinion) the great majority of cars sold with “alloy” wheels, steel wheels are not given the manufacturing care they once did.

IMHO steel is better. But alloy looks fancier, and that sells cars. Pitting and corrosion was a problem with (my) alloy wheels many years ago, but the alloys used now, combined with improved casting technologies that virtually eliminate inclusions and occlusions as well as lack of homogeneity (“rev…

a 17" alloy wheels is about 30% heavier than a 15" alloy wheel. Larger circumference. Does a 17" alloy wheel weigh more/ less than a 15" steel wheel? Don’t know.

Am I the only one who, when car shopping, checked the replacement cost of tires for the wheel sizes on various trim levels? That future tire replacement cost factored into my buying choice.

Steel Vs. Alloy Wheels (I Thought Steel Was Better?)

General Discussion

BillRussell January 30, 2016, 6:31pm 5

Capri: re brake size, that may be true and perhaps was a reason for the switch to somewhat larger wheels, 16-17 inch, but not for the very low profile ones.

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Steel Vs. Alloy Wheels (I Thought Steel Was Better?)

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