Replacement wheels must match your vehicle's bolt pattern, center bore and offset, not just the diameter, and a bent or cracked wheel is unsafe even when the tire holds air. Milwaukee Tire Shop in Milwaukee, WI can look over a damaged wheel and talk through replacement options.
A wheel that leaks slowly or shakes at speed usually has a problem at the bead seat or a bend in the barrel, and a new tire will not cure either one. The wheel is part of the fix as often as the tire is.
Winter road salt does most of the damage. It eats at the bead area of steel and alloy wheels alike, and the corrosion lets air seep out where the tire meets the rim. Bring the wheel when you call Milwaukee Tire Shop, since it is hard to judge a rim from a description.
What has to match when I buy different wheels?
Buying on looks alone is how people end up with wheels that bolt on badly or rub the suspension.
- Bolt pattern, which is the number of lugs and the circle they sit on.
- Center bore, so the wheel centers on the hub rather than hanging on the lug nuts.
- Offset, which sets how far the wheel sits in or out of the fender.
- Load rating, especially on trucks and SUVs that tow.
Can a bent or curbed wheel be saved?
Scuffed paint from a curb is cosmetic. A bent lip or barrel that makes the wheel run out of true is different, and so is any crack, because a cracked wheel can let go under load. A shop can check how true a wheel runs, but a crack generally means replacement, not repair.
Ask for the opinion before you pay for a tire on a wheel you may have to scrap.
Do the tire pressure sensors move to new wheels?
They can, but each one has to be moved over and relearned by the car. Check whether your sensors are in good condition before reusing them.
Can I use any wheel that fits my bolt pattern?
No. The center bore and offset also have to fit, and the wheel needs a load rating high enough for your vehicle. A matching bolt pattern alone does not make a wheel safe.
Will a bent wheel always leak air?
Not always. A bend can hold air and still cause vibration and uneven tire wear. Have it checked rather than waiting for a leak.
Should I buy new tires and wheels together?
Doing both at once saves a second mounting visit. Pick the wheels first, then choose tires to fit them.