When you go to buy a new set of tyres, you may notice that there are also pictures of rims and hubcaps on the tyres you are about to buy.
You might think that since you’re spending a lot of money on tyres, the rims and hubcaps are also included.
But is that true? Here’s an easy way to explain it.
The rims and hubcaps don’t usually come with a set of tyres. Unless it says otherwise, you are only buying the tyre itself, which is sometimes called the ring-shaped rubber piece that is attached to the rim.
If you want new rims, hubcaps, or both, you will have to buy them separately from your tyres.
When you buy a set of wheels at most tyre stores, you can choose to get rims and hubcaps as well.
If you choose this, you’ll have to spend more money, so make sure that everything you want fits into your budget.
Should Rims be Replaced When Buying New Tires?
It is recommended that you change the tyres on your car at least once every 10 years, no matter how much tread wear they have. The same is not true for the rims, though.
But when you replace your tyres, you should always keep an eye out for signs of damage to your rims, hubcaps, or other parts of your wheels.
If you’re not sure what the rim is on your car, it’s the part of the wheel that holds the tyre.
When your car has tyres, the rim is the outer edge of the wheel that goes around the spokes and the hub.
The part of the wheel where the bearing is located is called the hub. The hubcap goes over the hub, which is how it got its name.
No matter what kind of car you drive, hubcaps are almost never required. Most of the time, hubcaps are just there to make your tyres look better.
When Should Rims be Replaced? (Or Should They?)
Most vehicles’ rims will probably never need to be changed. Chances are you won’t have to worry about replacing rims unless you drive your car all the time and put hundreds of thousands of miles on it over its lifetime.
All of this changes, though, if you notice that one or more of your tyres is losing air pressure.
It could be a broken valve stem or a hole in the tyre, but it could also mean that the rim is broken.
When a car’s rim is worn down, it’s harder for a tyre to keep its air pressure.
If your steering wheel starts to shake when you’re on the road or you feel like your car always wants to drift to one side, this could also be a sign that your rims need to be fixed.
What’s Included in a Rim and Tire Package?
If you want to save money and take care of more than one thing with your car at the same time, you might want to buy a rim and tyre package.
If you think one of your rims is damaged or a mechanic tells you that one of your rims is damaged, you should not hesitate to get a rim and tyre package.
Most places that sell tyres sell rims and tyres as packages so that customers can save money.
Along with this benefit, these packages also let you customise your car with different types of rims and tyres, which, once installed, can give your car a look that’s all its own when you’re driving down the road.
Last but not least, since everything will be installed at the same time, you won’t have to pay multiple installation and service fees or bring your car in for service more than once.
How Much Does a Tire and Rim Cost?
When you buy a tyre and rim together, the total price may be a lot lower than you thought.
If you drive a compact car or a small sedan, you can expect to pay between $100 and $150 per wheel for an all-season tyre and its rim.
The price goes up to $100-$250 per wheel for small trucks, vans, crossovers, and SUVs that aren’t as big.
Lastly, larger trucks, SUVs, and other larger vehicles can expect to pay between $175 and $200 per wheel for new rims and tyres.
Even though installation and service fees are not included in these prices, you can usually save a lot if you buy a rim and tyre package and have all four tyres on your car replaced at the same time.
Why are Rims Needed for Tires?
Wheels are a required part of your car, but hubcaps are not. In fact, your tyre and rim need to fit together perfectly so that your tyre stays inflated while you’re driving.
The company that makes tyres lists the types and sizes of rims that each tyre needs.
Also, the right size of rims will be different for each type of car.
If you try to use rims that aren’t made for your vehicle and its tyres, you could hurt your vehicle’s wheels and suspension and make it harder to handle on the road.
Can I Replace Just One Rim?
Even though you can replace just one rim on your car, most car experts say it’s best to replace two at once, just like it’s best to replace two tyres at once.
If you only replace one wheel, the other wheels and tyres on your car could wear out at different times.
If this happens, the tyres may start to lose pressure on a regular basis, and the steering wheel may start to shake and the car may start to drift.
Even if you think it’s a waste of money to replace two rims when only one is broken, the repairs you might have to make later if you don’t follow this advice will be much more expensive than if you do these things before more problems arise.
Are Rims Just for Looks?
Not even close. As you probably already know, rims are important for keeping your tyres in good shape and making sure your car handles well.
But the wheels of your car also affect how it looks. In fact, changing the size of your car’s wheels can make a big difference in how it looks.
For instance, if you put smaller wheels on your car, it will have a much lower profile and look fast and sleek. If you put on bigger wheels, your car will look a lot bigger.
But no matter what kind of rims you put on your car, if they fit well, they will give your car a smooth ride and better performance, which are two things you and every other driver on the road want and need.
If you haven’t paid much or any attention to rims up until now, it’s time to change your mind.
Not only can rims change the way your car looks, but they can also make your car handle and perform much better on the road.
Whether you keep your car’s standard rims or get bigger or smaller ones, there’s no doubt that your car will soon look and feel better.
