Wheel Tips For The Female Of The Species TooIf you browse
internet ads for tires and wheels, it seems like flashy car rims is a guy thing. The websites are geared to a masculine point of view. Some websites feature sound and videos that include a pounding rap beat backed up by a view of “shiny things.” Most websites feature Charlie’s Angels “look a likes” pouring themselves over car chassis or pointing to flashy car rims. Lexani’s official website features a four minute video to showcase its wares. The wheels are hot, girls are hotter.
Men & Car Rims
Normally, male of species keeps a pretty low profile when it comes to plumage but when it comes to equipping their rides, most men, don’t question how much but how will wheels look on car, truck or SUV.
A Little Research
I did a little aftermarket research about car rims. I asked various friends and associates if they would they spend an additional $8.000.00 for specialty wheels for their vehicle. By far most of men I asked didn’t even blink at price but just shrugged and said “yeah, I guess; it depends on how they would look.” The women looked at me as if I had just arrived from Mars and replied with an emphatic “NO WAY”. A marketing statistic shows that ninety percent of shoppers at wheel and tire shops are men. Men like flashy car rims and it seems to be almost genetic.
Car Rims & Shoes; A Connection?
This same connection exists between women and shoes. It’s never about money but how they look. You need shoes to protect your feet. The functional ones work well but it’s pretty ones that we want. Shoes, like car rims have a definite purpose as well. Like shoes that allow owner to walk, car rims allow car to “roll”.
Because car rims are so vital to handling and performance of vehicles, it is important for women to become as interested in details of car rims as men. This article will talk about car rims and wheels sizes, chrome and alloys, package prices, reliable brands, and upcoming trends like spinners.
So let’s get motoring. By end of this piece you will know more about car rims. The man in your life will be impressed by your new-found knowledge and you’ll be ready to make an informed decision about what’s best for your ride.
Where To Look For Car Rims
There are numerous websites dedicated to sale of car rims. As well many sites offer valuable information about car rims and what you can do to enhance your vehicle’s performance and handling. If you decide to make your purchase through a website check with a Consumer Bureau to ensure that website is reputable.
Car Rim Sizes - It’s The Fit That Counts
When you purchase a vehicle, stock models come with a specific size of car rim. For example small cars like Honda Preludes have 13 inch rims. As size of vehicle increases so do size of car rims. Car rims sizes can go up to 27” and beyond as many manufacturers are developing larger sizes for newer jeeps and SUVs. Front Wheel Drive sizes are slightly smaller than Rear Wheel Drive types by about 2 inches.
Plus Sizing
To enhance look of your vehicle and improve its performance you can increase size of wheel “Plus Sizing” is a term that refers to increasing size of car rim to wheel.
Why Plus Sizing?
Plus sizing is chosen by drivers for steering response, handling, and cornering ability. When you add inches to tire, there is more surface that is in contact with road. Plus sizing a wheel also enhances sporty look of a vehicle.
Plus sizing can be done by “inching up”. The following are three methods of “inching up” your tire.
- Plus Zero
- Zero Plus One
- Zero Plus Two
Plus Zero The Plus Zero method uses same wheel radius as original equipment but includes a tire with a larger size than original’s width but smaller than aspect ratio. For example original tire size is: 175/70R14. By putting a 195/60R14 tire on this wheel rim you would not be increasing tire size, hence “plus zero”.Zero Plus One Plus one increases size of tire by one inch. For example if tire size is 175/70R13 and you put a tire on it that is 175/70R14, you have increased tire size by one inch. Zero plus one utilizes a one-inch larger diameter wheel in conjunction with a smaller tire. This method always requires a replacement wheel.
Zero Plus Two Exactly as name of method implies, this approach increases size of tire by two inches. For example, you would replace original equipment of 175/70R13 with a tire size of 175/70R15.
