"If you have ever adventured out for an extended hike, you understand that the most important “tools” you have are your feet, the only things that come in contact with the ground. Every step you take requires that they do their job. If your boots do not fit right, or you have a blister, your time on the trail can be miserable. So, it is essential that you take time to take care of your feet. The same goes for your car. Your wheels and tires are what connect your four-thousand-pound machine to the earth. And they take a beating. Therefore, they need just as much care as the rest of your car.
Most passenger vehicles today roll off the dealership lot with sharp-looking alloy wheels, or “rims”, as original equipment. Aftermarket companies too offer hundreds of styles to suit any taste. Not only are these aluminum or magnesium alternatives to old, heavy steel wheels more stylish, they are also lighter weight and help to improve fuel efficiency.
But they are also more difficult to maintain than simple steel wheels. Some alloy wheels are coated with clearcoat. Some are uncoated. Others are anodized. Each is susceptible to damage from dirt, salt, abrasion, and the caustic effects of brake dust. Alloy wheels can suffer pitting, corrosion, and discoloration from exposure to those contaminants and damage from aggressive cleaning techniques. So, it is important that your wheels be cleaned and protected regularly and properly, just like the shiny and expensive paint finish that coats the rest of your car. Yet, just like the underbody, they are often neglected. What’s more, trying to clean your wheels the wrong way can actually make matters worse, cause more harm than good.
Here are a few mistakes to steer clear of when washing your wheels."
https://columbiatireauto.com/mistakes-to-avoid-when-cleaning-car-wheels/
As always, I am wide open to suggestions regarding topics you would like to hear me discuss. Email me at [email protected] or leave a reply on this episode!