Do Alloy Wheels Have Any Effect on a Car’s Brakes?

Posted: Sep 11, 2013
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

The open, spoked design of many popular alloy wheels can have both positive and negative effects on brakes and their maintenance. On the positive side, the more open design allows for better air flow, which can reduce the tendency of brakes to heat up under load (braking). It is also often possible to see right through the gaps in an alloy rim to the caliper, making inspection of the amount of “life” (material) left on brake pads easy.

On the downside, the openness of many designs can make it easier for stones and other small hard objects to travel through the gaps and strike parts of the brakes. Alloy wheels are also usually lighter than their steel counterparts. This reduction in unsprung mass (the weight below the suspension system) can cause the brakes to feel less responsive or have less “bite,” especially in snowy or very wet conditions.

Neither type of wheel is inherently better than the other; they just have different characteristics. The choice of which to use depends on several factors, including the conditions under which a vehicle is used.

If you need service on your brakes in Hickory NC, contact us at Country Town Tire and Auto Service Center. Our high level of customer service, quality brands, and online tire finder keep our customers satisfied. Give us a call today!