Alloy or Steel Wheels for Winter
Whenever we talk about cars, we often give some suggestions regarding driving in certain conditions. Driving in dry conditions is something that most people have no issues with. This is because driving in summer on a dry road is something I’d call an ideal situation.
Unfortunately, we don’t always get to enjoy these conditions, and we end up driving in less-than-ideal situations. Regardless of whether we’re talking about rainy conditions or snow, you often hear people give recommendations regarding equipment or driving tips.
In my opinion, driving in winter conditions can be quite tricky, but with the right set of equipment, you can drive without too many issues. The most common recommendation me and most people in this niche give to other drivers is to use a proper set of winter tires. There are several types, and you should get those based on the conditions and your driving style.
With the tires aside, there is another winter recommendation, and it revolves around the wheels. I often hear people recommend getting steel wheels for your winter set of tires. Today, I’ll be discussing this recommendation and explain if it’s worth considering or if it’s something you shouldn’t even think about.
What are the differences between alloy and steel wheels?
Before explaining why some people recommend going for steel wheels in winter, I’ll briefly discuss the differences. By using a bit of common sense, you probably already know the answer to this question.
In essence, the difference between steel and alloy wheels is the material they’re made of. Steel wheels are the “older type” of wheels usually found on older cars or cheaper new cars in the lowest trim available. On the other hand, alloy wheels are the newer type, and unlike steel wheels, these are usually made from an aluminum alloy. To be fair, there are other types of material used for these wheels, but aluminum is the most common one.
With the material aside, there are plenty of other differences between alloy and steel wheels, including weight and design. The design is purely aesthetic, while the weight can impact how the car handles. There are plenty of other differences as well, but for the sake of this guide, I’ll be focusing primarily on the material.
Are steel wheels better for winter?
So the idea here is that if you’re running two sets of tires or live in an area where it’s always winter, steel wheels are better than alloy ones. The thing that often gets mentioned is the fact that steel wheels are more durable in these conditions. Why is that?
The main thing most people will mention as a drawback with alloy wheels is that they corrode. I know this goes against everything you’ve heard or read, but there is some truth to this, considering that we’re talking about winter usage. In most situations, alloy wheels will be fine in winter. With that said, their kryptonite is salt.
To be fair, salt is problematic for any part of your car, but since we’re talking about wheels, I’ll cover that section only. Many states and cities rely on salt to keep the roads clear of snow and ice. While it does wonders to melt them, it still remains on the road and gets stuck to your car as you’re driving. The underside is the part that takes most of the salt, but it can also stick to the wheels.
In an ideal situation, the alloy wheels come from the factory with multiple layers of protective coat. This coat is an excellent defense against salt, and in that ideal situation, your alloy wheels will be perfectly protected. Since we’re not living in an ideal world, that protective coat isn’t doing its job properly. It only takes one small scratch, usually one you won’t even notice on your wheel, for the corrosion process to start.
Salt and moisture are the biggest enemies here, and as you’re driving, both penetrate the coating through the scratch, and the corrosion process starts. With the corrosion process underway, you’re looking at several possible issues. You may notice some bubbling around the flange, which can be problematic because the tire may start to lose pressure more than what’s acceptable. In a worst-case scenario, you’re looking at a wheel with compromised integrity. Does this mean that steel wheels are better for winter? To be honest, it depends on how you look at things.
Steel wheels can also corrode, but the advantage is that they’re cheaper than alloy wheels. As a result, even if they start to corrode and are too far gone, you can replace them for cheap and be on your merry way.
Should you use alloy or steel wheels for winter?
If you ask me, I’d say go with the wheels you currently have. If you don’t have a set of wheels for your winter tires, get the ones you want or those that are within your budget. Even though, technically, steel wheels may have a slight advantage over alloy wheels for winter, using alloy wheels in winter isn’t the worst thing you can do to your car.
Both have pros and cons, meaning there isn’t a type of wheel you can fit to your car that would be perfect for winter. Regardless of which route you decide to take, there are certain things you can do to prevent rust and keep your wheels as healthy as possible.
Maintaining alloy wheels in winter
For the sake of this guide, let’s say that steel wheels are absolutely better, but you’re “stuck” with alloy wheels. Should you sell them, or can you keep using them without risking extensive damage? I’d say keep the wheels but maintain them. Let me explain how.
I mentioned that alloy wheels come with a protective coating, and one of the things it protects from is salt. A tiny scratch seems benign, but it can lead to serious damage down the line. This is why you should try to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Even if your wheels are in good shape, you can still do a few things to prevent any potential damage. If you live in an area with lots of salt on the roads, washing your car more frequently is a good idea. This will help you get the salt off it, eliminating or at least minimizing any potential risk of corrosion. The same goes for the wheels. Wash them frequently so the salt isn’t there long enough to cause long-term damage.
Another good way of protecting your alloy wheels from any potential corrosion is to apply a protective coat. I’m not talking about the one that car or wheel manufacturers use. I’m talking about something you can find in most shops that’s more than capable of keeping your wheels protected. There are tons of wax-based coatings that you can apply fairly quickly, which should help keep the salt away from the wheels. It’s especially handy if your wheels have some damage and you want to prevent any potential corrosion.
As good as all of this sounds, going for the DIY route is good enough but not the best thing you can do. Therefore, my best recommendation is to have the wheels repaired for any surface damage. Alternatively, plenty of tire and wheel shops have special coatings that should help the wheels remain as protected as possible.
Conclusion
There are often many recommendations and tips from people that we feel are good advice, and we start to follow them. I believe a piece of good advice is considered good when there’s an actual benefit from it. When it comes to the type of wheels you should use for winter driving, I’d say that the advice for getting steel wheels isn’t something that most people should follow. Don’t get me wrong, I get the logic behind it, and it’s sound, but it’s not the best choice for everyone.
If you already have a set of fancy alloy wheels for your winter tires, you care about aesthetics, meaning that you shouldn’t consider replacing them with steel wheels. As long as they’re maintained properly, alloy wheels can survive winter without any massive consequences. Alternatively, there are several steps you can take to bring them back to good shape and still be happy with how well they hold up.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to get a new set of wheels for your winter tires, then go with the type that works best for you. If you don’t care too much about the aesthetics anger on a tighter budget, steel wheels are the way to go. With that said, if the budget isn’t an issue, and you drive a car where steel wheels would look ridiculous, then you should go for the alloy once.
Ultimately, as long as you’re maintaining your wheels correctly, it won’t matter what material they’re made of. Both types are perfectly capable of surviving winter conditions.