Car Wheels

Use your automobile wheels to express your personal style
By Niki Hampton, Freelance Journalist Self Employed Wheels you choose for you automobile can say a lot about you. Custom wheels and tires have forged a huge part of the aftermarket and custom sectors of the automotive industry. Finding the right wheel for your vehicle starts with size, tires and taking the time to look carefully before purchasing.

Take time to understand the types of wheels available for your specific vehicle and tire size. Also, consider what company will supply your wheels -- many purchase wheels from a factory manufacturer, while others spend the money to have custom wheels made for them.

1. Explore the types of wheels available through aftermarket options.

2. Consider the factory wheel options you can order.

3. Invest in custom wheels to truly express yourself through your vehicle.

Explore the types of automobile wheels

Wheels are available in a variety of materials including alloy wheels, steel wheels, chrome wheels and stainless accents. There are as many designs and styles as their are taste. Colors are available, though factory wheels are most often silver or black.
Try:  Tire Rack is a widely-known company offering discounts, custom and top of the line wheels. You can shop the online catalog or narrow your search by brand, size or vehicle information. Finish Line Wheels offers a large variety of wheels that can be purchased online for reasonable prices.

Consider factory wheels

Factory wheels are those made by the vehicle manufacturer. Aside from the wheels automobile manufacturers make for the vehicle off the line, they also usually have a line of aftermarket wheels. These wheels are likely to be the best fit for your vehicle and are less likely to void your vehicle's warranty.
Try:  Capital Original Wheels offers factory wheels and reproductions while specializing in alloy and chrome wheels. You can order only at their site or at their eBay store. The Wheel Warehouse Inc. specializes in having a large variety of wheels in stock, including truck wheels and racing wheels. Shop by make or manufacturer for delivery in the US and Canada.

Invest in custom wheels

Custom wheels allow for the maximum level of personality and personal style. They can also allow for the maximum level of cost, but should be considered an investment. There are many custom wheel makers who specialize in design, manufacturing and installation of custom car wheels, custom truck wheels and custom SUV wheels.
Try:  Custom Wheels Direct allows you to shop many of the top custom wheels brands, including Foose, Dub and Robby Gordon Wheels, all in one place. They also offer installation (in California), a warranty and additional services, like powder coating. American Racing offers design services and features celebrity brand names, including Boyd Coddington, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carroll Shelby. Use this site's "carfigurator" to select your vehicle and try "virtual wheels" on your car using the computer.

• Choose a wheel that is compatible with the make, model and year of your vehicle. Also, keep in mind the bigger the wheel, the more expensive the tires will be to purchase and maintain.
• Check your vehicle's warranty information before buying wheels to make certain the ones you are buying don't negate any section of your automobile warranty.