Is It Safe to Buy Aftermarket Wheels?

Good wheels can make a big difference in a car's overall safety, as tire and wheel manufacturers are quick to point out in their advertisements. There have been a surprising amount of major developments in wheel design in the last few decades, and despite the cliche, the wheel has been reinvented a number of times. This has led many drivers to question whether aftermarket wheels are as safe as factory models. After all, they cost less than quality factory wheels, so it stands to reason that there should be major differences. In most cases, however, the biggest difference between factory wheels and aftermarkets is simply the name printed on the wheels.

The good news is that aftermarket wheels are held to the same safety standards as factory options. While different manufacturers use different standards and features to differentiate their aftermarket products, at their core the wheels are based on the same design as factory wheels. Provided that they're approved for use on a specific vehicle, it's absolutely safe to use aftermarkets when they come from a reliable manufacturer, and thanks to a wide variety of manufacturers that specialize in high quality wheels, it's possible to find aftermarket alternatives for just about any car, truck, or other vehicle on the market.

In fact, in certain instances they can actually improve the overall performance of a vehicle. They can provide better balance, and while this doesn't mean better safety, it can mean better handling than standard wheels. Aftermarkets are often made from lighter materials than their factory alternatives, and some actually use different technology for enhanced handling. They're a more professional option in many instances and can give a vehicle a much better look than what would be possible with a factory wheel.

This is why aftermarket options are preferred by serious racing enthusiasts and car modification hobbyists. Any improved performance adds value to a vehicle. This improved performance comes with a lower price, too, as aftermarket wheels don't require the heavy name advertising investments of factory options, although many major aftermarket companies do have name recognition. An aftermarket wheel is simply less expensive than a factory wheel without a drop in performance and with a much lower price tag.

Ultimately, if aftermarket wheels were more dangerous than their major factory alternatives, they'd be harshly regulated to meet the high standards of safety commissions like the IIHS. Drivers who are worried about using aftermarket wheels should check into their materials to ensure quality, but aftermarket options are a great way to save money while getting improved balance and handling for any type of vehicle.

The author of this article has expertise in wheels. The articles on wheels reveals the author's knowledge on the same. The author has written many articles on wheels as well.

Is It Safe to Buy Aftermarket Wheels for Your Volvo?

The name Volvo translates in Latin as "I roll," and many Volvo drivers have taken the name literally by outfitting their vehicles with aftermarket. Aftermarket rims can certainly give a Volvo enhanced looks and depending on the material used in the construction of the they may be able to change a vehicle's handling when compared to the standard rims that come on the vehicles from the factory. However, drivers often wonder whether these aftermarket options are safe, since they aren't officially approved by Volvo.

The good news is that aftermarket Volvo rims are certainly safe, thanks to a combination of factors. Both imported and U.S.-built Volvo rims are subject to safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and they can't be sold if they aren't made from quality materials.

Volvo rims have to be properly balanced and safe for the vehicles that they're intended for. Aftermarket rims simply can't be sold if they don't meet these requirements, so drivers are safe, regardless of which rims they buy, as long as they purchase their Volvo rims legally.

On top of this, aftermarket Volvo rims usually come from companies that are dedicated to improving quality and maneuverability. Unlike factory rims, aftermarket rims are specialty items. They're purchased by car aficionados who understand the value of good balance and quality wheels. Low quality rims quickly disappear from the market as word spreads about their low quality, so the companies that make Volvo rims invest a tremendous amount of money each year in new designs and technology designed to test each product that they ship. Their focus is on manufacturing beautiful, functional rims, not on creating a cheap product. In order to stand a chance at competing with the rims Volvo itself sells, rim manufacturers have to provide a quality product.

Some aftermarket Volvo rims can actually cool the brakes of vehicles by increasing airflow, thereby reducing the chance of brake issues for drivers who frequently travel through mountainous regions. Other rims are designed for superior street performance. All of the aftermarket rims from major manufacturers are built with the best interests of Volvo drivers in mind, and since safety is certainly a concern for the designers at Volvo, it's also a major concern for aftermarket rim designers as well.

All drivers should look into the user reviews of a new set of rims before buying and installing them, but the good news is that aftermarket rims are every bit as safe -and in some cases, perhaps even more safe - than their factory counterparts. This makes them worthy of consideration by any Volvo driver.

The author of this article has expertise in Volvo rims. The articles on rims reveals the author's knowledge on the same. The author has written many articles on Volvo rims as well.