The wheels and tires are the heartbeat of your truck or Jeep. They provide function, safety, and aesthetics. Tires determine just about everything, including how your vehicle brakes, handles on the road, and utilizes the engine's power. It also just happens to be one of the easiest upgrades you can make that provides instant gratification. Apart from getting the awesome look you want, here's what you should know about upgrading your vehicle's wheels and tires.
Consider the Power of Your Vehicle
The larger and wider the tire, the more energy it takes to make it roll. Tires that are too large can put excessive strain on the engine, causing it to wear quicker. Additional potential issues may include:
- Problems with safety features such as ABS
- Decrease in miles per gallon
- Slower acceleration
- Excessive wear on springs and shocks
The bottom line is that your vehicle must have adequate power to move the size wheels and tires you choose to install on your vehicle.
Sufficient Ground Contact
How much rubber touches the ground at any point in time is called the contact patch. If you've upgraded your engine, then you may not have a large enough contact patch to get an adequate grip on the road. Installing a wider tire with a larger diameter is the solution to increasing the contact patch of your vehicle. Be sure not to install more tire than you have engine to move it.
Tread Type
How you use your vehicle will determine what type of tread you need. If you plan on staying on the roads, then a street tire is adequate. However, if you like offroad adventures, a street tire won't cut it. You will need a more aggressive tread that can grip mud, sand, snow, and much more. There are many different styles to choose from. There's no doubt that you can find one that is functional while looking great!
How Will It Fit with Your Vehicle
If your choice of wheel and tires will not fit on your truck or Jeep correctly, then it could cause damage to other components of your vehicle.
- Not every wheel will fit every hub. It is crucial to make sure that the wheels you choose will fit the hub as they should. If not, your wheels may become off-centered and mess up the balance of your entire vehicle.
- Correct offset - The wheels must be able to clear the suspension and brakes. If not, the additional friction will wear out these components, potentially creating a dangerous situation.
- Wheels and tires that are too large may also rub the fender and wheel well. This will not only be annoying, but they affect the steering and cause excess stress on the wheel bearings.
- Bolt patterns differ between vehicles. It's imperative to make sure bolt patterns match.
Easily Find the Perfect Tires and Wheels
These tips will help you find wheels that achieve the functionality you need and the visual appeal you're going for. There's no reason to waste countless hours combing for wheels and tires, only to find that they look great but won't fit your vehicle correctly. You shouldn't have to sacrifice look for function. Carolina Custom is the Carolinas' leading customization shop. If you want it, we've got it! With the largest selection of wheels and tires available, there's no doubt you will find exactly what you are looking for. Come visit our massive showroom. If we don't have what you're looking for in stock, we will order it! Contact us today and get the upgrade you've always wanted!
