Custom Wheels & Tires: The Top 4 Considerations When Adding Killer Looks

You've just bought that new car, SUV or truck and are driving off the lot. There is no feeling quite like being behind the wheel of that gorgeous land cruiser that tells the world you are coming. But wait a second, what makes your ride different from another one just like it?
No doubt, this question will cross the minds of all the rugged individualists out there - you want your ride to have your personal stamp on it, don't you? If you spent months deciding which vehicle to buy, it only makes sense to take a bit more time and add your own touch of personalization to it.
There is perhaps no better way to personalize your vehicle than with auto accessories like custom wheel treatments. But you've never bought custom wheels before, you say? Let's see if we can offer some expert tips on how to choose and buy those awesome looking wheels that make your new ride all your own.

Wheel Size

Most drivers look for style first and worry about getting the right size after they make a style choice. This is a critical decision and you want to be sure your choice is correct so that you can get the great looks and, either maintain the performance level of your vehicle - or improve it.

If you want large alloy wheels, but low profile tires, you need to get advice about the right combination of wheels and tires. They work together and many drivers make the choice of buying wheels online and tires locally. This isn't a good idea for a couple of very good reasons that will make sense.
If you plan on keeping your existing tires and mate them to a new awesome set of custom wheels, tell the auto accessories expert you are purchasing the wheels from what you are planning to do. This is another investment in your vehicle. It isn't the time to have any unanswered questions about whether or not you are doing the right thing.
S/he may be able to keep you from making a bad choice, and they want to help. A poor combination of wheels and tires can affect all the handling and performance characteristics of your vehicle, or worse - even be dangerous.
Wheels and tires or wheel and tire "types" need to be carefully matched. It takes a knowledgeable auto accessories pro to put the right combination together. Whenever you can, try to buy the both together when you make the change to a custom wheel treatment.

Wheel Designs Matter

Everyone wants the biggest bang for their buck when investing in a new set of wheels for their vehicle. The more intricate, bright and shiny the wheels are - the more of an impact they make, right?
This is statement is accurate, but consider that the more complicated pattern your wheels have, the harder and more time it will take to keep them looking sharp. Few people want to spend hours on their backs with a toothbrush to clean extremely intricate patterns. Add the typical accumulation of brake dust to the other dirt and grime you pickup on the roadways, and you can have an entire afternoon of work on the weekends.
Brake dust is often the thing furthest from our minds when we are considering auto accessories like new wheels or tires, but it's a major source of contamination. You may want to consider one more idea to minimize brake dust. There are new low brake dust-producing pads you can buy for your car. The investment in these pads can cut cleaning time to a minimum, and this keeps you in the car enjoying it instead of needing hours to polish the wheels.

Wheel Balancing

This one is major, and one more reason to buy your tires and wheels from the same source. Proper balancing saves tire wear and improves performance and handling characteristics. There are other considerations too. Ask that the balancing weights be mounted on the inside. They can take away from the appearance if they are mounted in the usual manner - on the outside of the wheels.
Also consider painting the brake calipers to match your wheels or in a complimentary color. These will be visible behind the wheels, and add a bit more to showing you did the little things to maximize the aesthetic effect. If you don't want to paint these in a matching color, use red or black, as these two foundational colors complement many wheels. Your auto accessories pro may even be able to advise you about the best way to do this.

Tire Choice

It's an old cliché but the rubber is what really meets the road. Make sure you take the time to talk tires after talking about the wheels. When you take premium wheels and add top performance tires like Michelin, Pirelli, Hankook or Toyo - you have the best of both worlds. You will achieve the best level of performance when you match any of these superior tire brands to the right custom wheels. Yes, it does costs more to do the right thing, but leaving tires out of the thought process can be disappointing. Talk with your auto accessories pro and get good advice about tires too.

Conclusion

It doesn't matter whether you want American Racing, Coventry, Giovanna, Konig or Versante wheels, talk to an aftermarket auto accessories professional. Take the time to marry the right wheels to top performing tires. They should be matched to work together to give you bold, good looks along with excellent handling and performance.