Rims are built to be durable. After all, they bear the vehicle’s weight and are subject to all sorts of stresses. Unfortunately, this does not mean they are entirely immune to damage. You might encounter many things on the road that can seriously damage your rims. Some can be avoided, while others are inevitable.
For instance, potholes are one of the rim’s mortal enemies. Fortunately, they are avoidable. It only takes your attention to spot these holes and avoid them. On the other hand, brake dust issues will happen no matter what, caking your rims with an ugly dark colour. Doing your best as a driver to keep the rims in great condition will ensure their longevity—both aesthetically and structurally.
When the time does come for your rims to be replaced, here are the signs you need to keep an eye out for:
1. Visible damage
One of the best ways to know that your rims need replacing is to give them a quick look. If your wheels have a hub cap, remove it and check for damage. Any signs of deformation or damage mean the rims need repair. If the damage does look serious, then you must consider replacing the whole thing. The rim may already be compromised, and it is only a matter of time before it fails.
2. Worsened handling
With a bent rim, your car may feel slow to handle. In other words, you might not be able to steer it as comfortably and easily as you would normally. If this is the case, stop the car and give the wheels a thorough inspection. If you are not sure, bring the car over to a tire service or a car repair shop. They can check the rims for issues and will notify you of anything that pops up.
3. Vibration and shaking
An obvious sign that something is wrong with your car’s rims is the shaking you might experience during driving, which gets worse the faster you drive. If you feel that the shaking is happening in the steering column, it is a sign that one of your front rims is bent. If you feel that vibration at your seat or the back of the vehicle, it might be one of the rear rims.
4. Deflating tires
Tires are designed to sit flush to the rims. Any bending on the rims can cause air leaks to occur, causing the tire to lose air and deflate. If you find yourself reinflating your tire every few days or weeks, consider sending in the vehicle for inspection. Not only will this save you a lot of headaches, but it will eliminate the risk of a blowout.
Conclusion
Do you recognise any of these signs in your car? If so, your rims may already be bent and need to be repaired or replaced. Even if you are unsure, do not hesitate to send it to an auto repair garage for an inspection. Any of these is a good enough reason to look for problems in the rims, if not the whole car. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry. When it comes to driving, especially at high speeds, you want to be a vehicle you can rely on!
Wicked Rims is a wheel refurbishment company offering a friendly yet professional atmosphere to help drivers get the best wheel services. If you are looking for wheel repair in Essex, allow us to work on your car today!