Changing car rims is often the choice of automotive lovers. This is usually intended to improve the appearance of the vehicle to make it look sportier or more aggressive. But have you, automotive lovers, ever felt that the steering wheel becomes heavier after changing car rims? This is certainly very annoying and damages driving comfort. This time otomodify comes to answer questions about the causes of heavy steering and the effects of replacing rims. Read the full article.
Inappropriate rim size
The most common reason why the steering wheel becomes heavier after changing rims is because the rims used to replace them do not meet manufacturer standards. Rims that are larger than the specified standard increase the load on the wheels. This heavy load causes the steering system to work harder, so that the driver feels a heavier steering wheel, especially when maneuvering. The steering wheel will also feel heavier when at low speeds such as when parking or maneuvering in narrow spaces.
Comfort and stability in driving are also affected by replacing larger rims. This is because larger rims are usually paired with thin-profile tires. This combination can provide a harder and less responsive driving sensation.
Rim offset is not appropriate
What is offset? This is the distance between the center point of the rim and the mounting face (the surface that attaches to the wheel hub). What happens if the rim offset is installed not according to the car's specifications? This causes an uneven load on the steering and suspension systems.
This inappropriate offset changes the distribution of the vehicle's load on the wheels, affecting steering stability and comfort. Where this will have an effect on the steering that feels heavier and less responsive. In the long term, the use of inappropriate offsets can also accelerate the wear of undercarriage components such as ball joints and tie rods.
Wide tires
The use of wide tires on cars does make the car look more sturdy and dashing. However, technically wide tires have a larger contact surface with the asphalt. This means that friction between the tires and the road surface will also increase. Is this related to the rims? Yes, because generally rims with larger sizes are paired with wider tires. This can be a combination that worsens or makes the steering heavier.
High friction between the tires and the road surface requires extra power when turning the steering wheel, this will be more pronounced when the car is moving at low speeds. That is why many drivers feel their steering wheel becomes heavier after replacing standard tires with wider tires.
Thin tire profile
Low profile tires are a type of tire that has a short sidewall. This wall is usually used on large diameter rims. The goal is to maintain the overall height of the wheel so that it remains proportional. These tires provide a sporty appearance and provide better grip on flat road surfaces.
Then what makes these tires the cause of the steering wheel becoming heavy? Namely the lack of tire profile. The disadvantage of this tire is its ability to absorb shocks is very low. Therefore, every vibration and impact from the road will be more felt on the steering wheel. This is what then makes the steering wheel feel heavier. In addition to making the steering wheel feel heavier, this type of tire is also more susceptible to damage from impacts with holes or sidewalks.
Not re-aligned or re-balanced
After replacing the car rims, the user must do wheel alignment. What is the purpose? This is important to do so that the wheel position is aligned according to the manufacturer's specifications, while balancing is done to ensure that the wheel weight distribution is even.
What are the consequences if this step is ignored? This makes the wheels unbalanced or the angles are uneven. As a result, the steering becomes heavier because the car pulls to one side also due to vibrations at high speeds. In the long term, this condition can cause uneven tire wear. It can even accelerate damage to the steering and suspension systems.
Aftermarket rims are heavier
Original factory-made rims are usually specially designed with optimal strength in mind for the car. In contrast, aftermarket rims, especially those made of iron or ordinary cast tend to be heavier.
The extra weight of these aftermarket rims will add to the load on the steering wheel. Not only the steering wheel, but also on the braking and suspension. As a result, the power steering has to work harder. Which ultimately makes the steering feel heavier. Even in cars that already use Electronic Power Steering (EPS), this difference can still be clearly felt.
The consequences of changing to larger rims
As mentioned in the points above, using larger rims or rims that do not match the car's specifications can make the steering heavier. Well, besides the heavier steering, here are some consequences if automotive lovers still insist on using larger rims.
Increased fuel consumption
This increase in fuel is related to the car's steering which is getting heavier because it uses larger rims or rims that do not match the specifications that should be.
Large rims put more load on the wheels. Not only on the wheels, the steering system load also increases. This combination then causes fuel consumption to increase. The engine must exert extra power, especially when accelerating from a standstill or when going uphill. In the long term, this will have an impact on fuel efficiency and operating costs on the car.
Decreased acceleration performance
Acceleration performance is one of the effects that automotive lovers often ignore when changing their rims to larger rims. The heavy load given to the wheels makes the gas response slower and acceleration feels heavier.
The car will take longer to reach a certain speed. This will be very noticeable in cars with small engine capacities or not yet equipped with sophisticated drive systems.
The speedometer can become inaccurate
The speedometer on the car is designed based on the standard wheel diameter from the factory. If the user replaces the rim with a different size, the result is that the wheel rotation in one kilometer will change. This makes the speedometer no longer able to read the speed accurately.
The accuracy of this speedometer is very important, especially if you are on a toll road that imposes fines based on speed.
The suspension becomes stiffer
Large rims are often used for low profile tires. This is usually done with the aim of making the car look sportier. However, the result is that the larger rim load adds pressure to the suspension components. If it continues to be forced for the long term, it can result in wear on the shock absorbers, bushings and other suspension components.
How to overcome heavy car steering after changing rims
- Perform wheel alignment and balancing: The steering system is recalibrated according to the new conditions
- Pay attention to the size and width of the rims: Choose a size that is still within the manufacturer's tolerance limits. Generally 1-2 inches from the standard
- Choose lighter rims: Lighter rim weight will reduce the burden on the steering system
- Use tires with smaller treads: Reduce friction between tires and the road surface
- Check tire pressure regularly: Low air pressure will increase rolling resistance
- Upgrade the steering system: Upgrade the hydraulic power steering system to be stronger
Conclusion
Changing car rims can indeed improve the appearance of the car much cooler. However, it is important to remember to still pay attention to the functional and comfort aspects. A heavy steering wheel due to replacing the wrong rims not only makes you sore when driving, but can also be dangerous. So, it's okay to look cool... but still prioritize control and comfort, okay!