Alloy wheels are made of a mix of metals. Alloy wheels generally serve as a replacement for normal car wheels.

Materials used for making Alloy Wheels
As the name suggests, alloy wheels are made of a mix of different metals. The alloy used in the finest road wheels today is a blend of aluminum and other elements. Some of the elements used are:

• Aluminium
• Steel
• Magnesium

There are basically three ways in which automobile alloy wheels are constructed and the performance of wheels depends on the technique employed in manufacturing them. The three commonly used types are: cast, billet and forged.

Type of Alloy Wheels
There are basically two types of alloy wheels available. They are:

• Aluminium alloy wheel
• Magnesium alloy wheel

Features of Alloy Wheel
Alloy wheels possess several features for which they have become the choice of masses. Some features are:

• Addition of alloy wheel improves the look of an aging car.
• Affects car ride and handling characteristics.
• Excellent conductors of heat.

Alloy Wheel accessories
An alloy wheel consists of the following parts:

• Spinner kits
• Nuts and bolts
• Centercaps

Understanding some parameters like wheel width, wheel diameter, wheel offset, wheel balancing and wheel tracking provide a better insight into purchasing alloy wheels.

Other than the look and cost, while buying an alloy wheel, buyers should ensure the strength of the wheel, availability of rims in the wheel etc.

Advantages of using Alloy Wheels
Various advantages of alloy wheels are:

• Lighter than steel wheels.
• Increases value of car at resale.
• Addition of alloy wheel is the most significant way of making a car more attractive.

Use of Alloy Wheels
The alloy wheels are generally added because of their various important uses. Some of them are:

• Improves performance and look of a vehicle.
• Withstands higher shock load.
• Reduces unsprung weight of the car thereby affecting a vehicle's road holding ability.
• Improves acceleration and braking of cars.
• Significantly reduces wheel/tyre deflection in cornering, especially when used with low profile tyres.
• Dissipate heat generated by the brake drums.
• Provides superior strength.
• Helpful for car racing purposes.