Should you upgrade to wider wheels? This article explains the differences between a regular tire and wider tire. The size and width of your tires will directly determine how your car will handle.

Dry Roads

There is nothing more dry roads love than rubber. If you have the need for speed, then wider tires are for you. The extra traction provided by the wider tires will allow your car to accelerate quicker. The increase in surface area will directly improve stability. The stiffer sidewall will allow you to take sharper corners due to less vehicle roll, while the extra grip will reduce braking distance. The smaller sidewall will also give your car a more low-profile appearance.

Wet Conditions

Although wide tires are great for the summer, they won't perform the best in rainy conditions. If your tires were not meant to handle all weather types or rain, we advise you to adjust your speed, avoid puddles, and drive carefully. There are wide tires made specifically for all weather/rain. These have rain grooves that are efficient in removing water from contact surface.

Drawbacks

There will be a decrease in fuel economy. The larger width of the tire will increase the surface contact with the road/tarmac. The wheels will also generally be heavier than regular wheels. Although this is great for handling, the combination of both will lead to an increase in rolling resistance. To the average person; however, the decrease in fuel economy will be too small to notice. When traveling at a constant speed of 60 miles per hour, the reduction in mileage can be negligible.

Pirelli hasn't reinvented the wheel. They have simply made it better. Pirelli combines tire performance with technology to create the world's first smart tire. Meet Pirelli Connesso. Translated from Italian, connesso means "connected".

Instead of using the usual tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), the tires come equipped with sensors built into the tire's grooves and inner wall. These sensors can report tire pressure, inside temperature, and load data that is communicated in real time. With the use of Bluetooth, they work through the Pirelli cloud and with applications found oniOS and Android based devices.

The system is able to store historical data regarding mileage, maintenance, wear, and road conditions.  The data collected through the IoT cloud-based system will allow for predictive tire maintenance. For the average person this might not matter much; however, this might be highly beneficial for fleet service managers.

Thanks to app alerts, the tires can notify the user when tire pressure changes and when the tire is worn down. Through the Pirelli application, a user is able to identify the closet tire shop and book an appointment.

No word has been given on availability yet, as Pirelli has been working with automakers to introduce these as factory tires. The first production car expected to benefit from the Pirello Connesso tires is the Ferrari FXX. Only time will tell when these tires make it to regular average cars.

Tires are expected to wear out evenly and gradually over their lifetime. Irregular tread wear may occur for multiple reasons and could be signs of problems with your vehicle. Below are the most common different types of tire wear. Check the list below to stay up to date.

1. Center Wear

Tire tread is only worn down the center and not very much on the sides. The most common cause of this is driving with over-inflated tires. When a tire is over-inflated, the tire balloons out more in the center. This prevents the tire from making full contact with the road. To avoid this make sure all 4 tires are correctly inflated. Consult your owner's manual if you don't know your vehicle's tire pressure.

2. Side Wear

Side wear is the complete opposite of center wear. The tire will have worn down shoulders but will have a strip of normal-looking tread at the center. The cause of this is driving with under-inflated tires. When a tire is under-inflated, the shoulders make contact with the road and push the center inward. To prevent this make sure all 4 tires are properly inflated. Consult your owner's manual if you don't know your vehicle's tire pressure.

3. Cupping Wear

Cupped tires will have random worn-down patches all over them. Commonly characterized as if someone shaved some parts of the tread. Having worn out shocks and struts are the main culprits. Shocks and struts are meant to prevent your car from bouncing up and down when driving over a bump. When the vehicle is bouncing continuously, the tires do not maintain constant contact with the road surface. This bouncing causes the rubber to prematurely wear down in certain areas. Unbalanced tires and wheels may also lead to cupped tires.

4. Feathering

Feathering refers to when the tread blocks are worn down on one side but have reasonable wear on the other. While this wear can be spotted visually, it is quite easy to feel feathering when you run your fingers along the tire tread. There are two common culprits. Misaligned wheels most commonly lead to feathered tires. Aggressive driving also leads to feathered wear, especially high-speed cornering.

5. Sidewall Wear

Sidewall wear is caused by drivers parking too close to the curb and scraping the sidewall against it. If the damage is too extreme, the sidewall wear can cause the tire’s core to weaken. This is considered highly dangerous especially if driving at highway speeds.

It is recommended you regularly check your tires' tread depths and wear conditions. This will allow you to know when it is time to replace your tires and can also help you detect potential car problems. This will get the most value out of your vehicle and tires.

Replica Wheels are exactly what the name implies. They are meant to be exact copies of OEM wheels and rims. Replica wheels aim to be at least 90% visually and structurally the same as the original. Because of this, a replica wheel can be equally durable as an OEM wheel. A proper replica wheel should also be indistinguishable from an OEM wheel.

Replica wheels are quite popular in the luxury and sports-car community. This stems from people being able to obtain good quality alternative wheels from reputable manufacturers.  Although cheaply made replica wheels do exist, a good quality replica wheel will not be cheap. Even when compared to OEM wheels, good quality replica wheels will be much less expensive.

If you have any further questions regarding replica wheels, check out this article on OEM vs. Replica vs. Aftermarket wheels.
Have more questions about wheels and rims? see our FAQ for answers about OEM wheels, shipping, and more.

Although they may look the same, not all tires are designed to perform the same. The capabilities you desire, the type of car you drive, and the conditions you drive in will dictate the type of tire you should buy. Read the following to get a much better understanding of the different types of tires.

All Season Tires

A jack of all trades but master of none. These tires are perfect for driving in most conditions but not designed to handle extreme weather conditions. The majority of cars sold today are sold with all season tires. These are perfect for drivers who live in areas that don't experience extreme cold, rain, ice, or snow.

All-Terrain Tires (Off-Road)

These tires are designed to tackle off-road driving. They tend to be larger in size and have deep grooves in the tires. These grooves provide extreme traction in off-road conditions.

Winter (Snow Tires)

Winter tires are specifically designed to perform in winter conditions. In the extreme cold, the rubber remains soft. This allows the tire to maintain traction and provide stability.

High Performance Tires

These tires are rated for high speeds. High-performance tires are low-profile and have superior cornering and stopping performance. Although initially meant for high-performance sports cars, quite a few cars of today have high-performance tires.

Now that you know the different types of tires, stay informed and read this article on tire rotation.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, thieves working in groups can make off with your rims in a matter of minutes. Here are four ways to help prevent your wheels from being stolen, as advised by the NICB and the Tire Industry Association:

1. Use Wheel Locks

Wheel locks install in place of your car’s lug nuts. They are similar to a lug nut (and sometimes indistinguishable) but require a special anti-theft tool (key) for installation and removal that comes with the set. Wheel locks are virtually impossible to remove.  Wheel locks leave just enough room for the required key to fit around them and don't leave any space for a prying tool.

2. Use a Car Alarm

If you buy an anti-theft car alarm, opt for an advanced one. These types of alarms can detect if the vehicle gets titled and lifted off of the ground. More advanced alarms also come equipped with wheel sensors that detect if the wheels get tampered with.

3. Park in High-Traffic Areas

It is recommended that all cars be parked in a garage; however, not everyone has access to one. If you don't have garage, try to find parking on busier streets. These streets should have a greater traffic and pedestrian presence, as well as be more lit at night. This will easily deter criminals because they prefer to work at night and with the confidence that no one will walk by. If possible, park in direct view of surveillance cameras to increase safety measures.

4. Park Close To The Curb

Park as close as possible to the curb to deter would-be thieves. Lifting a car with a jack requires space. This means thieves are less likely to attempt a theft if the proximity to the curb is too tight. Turning the steering wheel toward the curb when parking will also make the wheels harder to remove. Be careful not to scrape your tires and rims on the curb. Should you scrape your rims on the curb, please read this article on repairs.

Do you need Wheel Accessories?

What exactly can be considered a wheel accessory? There are a few items regarded as wheel accessories are as follows:

Hubcaps: 

Are plastic or metal shaped "caps" the attach to your steel wheel, they look like your typical rim to conceal the less appealing look of a steel wheel.

Center Caps Caps:

Caps vary in shape and sizes. Standard caps are a flat shaped and round. Some are at the center of the wheel. Some of them can be plain and the same color as the wheel itself. Others have the vehicle brand logo imprinted. Wule others may be customized or aftermarket for extra eye appeal. These accessories are readily available at most auto parts shops or wheel shops. 

Wheel Lugs:

Are created to secure the wheel studs for proper axles functions.

Hub Rings:

Hub rings are used to fill the space between the wheel hub and the center bore of the rim.

Wheel Lips:

Wheel lips are an add-on item for flare or special appearance

Wheel Spacers:

are used as wheel adjusters for a couple of reasons.

1. To change the wheel bolt pattern.

2. To widen an offset of the wheel.

What determines a wheel or rim purchase?

Price? Quality? Shipping? Availability? Color? Selection? Style? Everything else? t's only natural for you to be picky about purchasing any OEM wheel or rim as a brand new set or replacement wheel. We're pretty picky too! For this article, we are going to share with you the steps, we, Santa Ana Wheel take before we purchase any wheel or rim from a vendor.

1. Quality: We always make sure to look at the face of the wheel;  scrapes, scratches, bends, cracks, corrosion, and of course the manufacturer stamp to assure it is an OEM wheel/rim.
2. Selection: Selecting a great set is not difficult if you know what you need. We purchase wheels that we know are an asset to our company. You can translate this method into what does your vehicle need? An upgrade? A wheel service?
3. Style: With tons of wheel options out there- Replica, OEM, Aftermarket it's your preference. What type of performance is most important to you?
4. Price: Replica wheels will always be less expensive than OEM wheels. Aftermarket wheels are usually more expensive than OEM wheels.
5. Shipping: Wheels can range from 20-50lbs, any wheel or rim company that offers free shipping is fantastic. We offer free shipping! Check out our SAW eBay store to take advantage of the offer!
6. Color: There are more than a handful of color options for your wheel/rim. The most expensive color you'll find out there is Painted Black. Just something to keep in mind.

Lastly, make sure you are purchasing from a verified vendor or accredited 3rd party supplier. Make sure to look out for reviews and see if they are a legit business.

Thanks for reading! -JE

Did you know: We have an Exclusive Selection of Takeoff Tire Inventory!

Well if you didn't know, now you know! At Santa Ana Wheel, we are incredibly picky with our inventory, tires included! 

Why? We don't specialize in tires, so whenever we make them available for sale, you will always receive a TOP QUALITY takeoff tire for up to 50% compared to brand new tires. 

Due to our limited selection of tires, we are aware that we do not have tires for everyone- but for those who are able to take advantage of this blow out deal, YOUR WELCOME!

We've heard time and time again "These tires are a steal." They are. Next time you are in need of any lightly used tires, keep us in mind! We sell singles, pairs, and sets!

Thanks for reading!

SUMMER WHEELS AND RIMS CHECKLIST

We may be half-way through summer, but that does not mean the fun has to stop! The next long-weekend holiday is right around the corner! Take this opportunity to plan out the long-anticipated road trip with friends/family! Before you decide to take on the road- make sure you to complete a wheel/rim/tire inspection of your vehicle to assure safe departure and arrival!

When was the last time you had your wheels and tires checked? Make sure that your tires have a sufficient amount of air and your wheel is free of cracks or bends.

Have you rotated your tires recently? If not, we would recommend doing so if you have a two-wheel drive, rear wheel drive or front wheel drive. This way the muscle can be distributed evenly, and you won't have to worry about wear & tear! 

Does your vehicle have a TPMS sensor readily available? If not- we highly recommend you purchase and install one before hitting the road. 

Have a safe, comfortable and have a smooth ride!

Thanks for reading!