Alloy wheels
The main advantage of alloy wheels over steel ones is their lower weight. Accordingly, their installation on a vehicle leads to a reduction in unsprung mass and, as a consequence, to an increase in comfort and driving safety, as well as an increase in dynamics.
 |
 |
The second advantage, and for many it is the main one, is a more interesting and varied design.
 |
 |
In the production of light alloy wheels, aluminum alloys are mainly used, less often magnesium alloys, although in the second case the wheels are even lighter in weight and have better damping capacity. In addition, due to better thermal conductivity, magnesium discs improve heat dissipation from wheel hubs and brake mechanisms.
Depending on the technology used in production, alloy wheels can be cast or forged (stamped). All other things being equal, forged wheels are lighter and stronger than cast ones, but their production is quite expensive and requires very powerful pressing equipment. Therefore, forged wheels from foreign manufacturers are very expensive, but in Russia there are a number of re-profiled defense enterprises that produce such wheels at a price that does not exceed the cost of cast wheels from lesser-known manufacturers.
The disadvantage of alloy wheels is their tendency to oxidize and corrode. That's why the discs are coated with a protective varnish. But this protection is not eternal and can be damaged both on a bad road and during improper tire installation, and good powder coating of the disk is an expensive pleasure. Of course, a steel disc also begins to actively rust when the paint coating is damaged, but in this case the rust is superficial and does not lead to changes in the structure of the disc metal. The second disadvantage of an alloy wheel is that, unlike a steel wheel, it cannot be rolled if damaged. To straighten a disc, special equipment is required, and in the case of a strong impact, cast alloy wheels usually split. In this regard, forged wheels better withstand impacts from uneven road surfaces and are more resistant to deformation and destruction. Therefore, counterfeit and cheap disks are very dangerous, as their casting may contain cavities, cracks and other hidden defects.
Alloy wheels are perhaps one of the accessories that most influence the appearance of a car.
The first problem when choosing disks is the correct selection of geometric parameters. Nowadays, the choice of alloy wheels is huge and all you need to know to select a wheel for your car is the number and diameter of the mounting holes, the diameter of the central hole, offset, width and diameter (these data are given on "General information"). However, as practice shows, most car owners have no doubts only about the need to match the number and diameter of the mounting holes, and perhaps also the correspondence of the diameter of the central hole using centering rings. The other parameters are usually treated with disdain; the main thing is that the wheel fits in the arch and does not touch anything. But this is completely wrong, and often simply dangerous. As a rule, the vehicle operating instructions indicate the parameters of the wheels and tires approved for installation on a given vehicle. It can be noted that the manufacturer usually provides the opportunity to choose the diameter of the disks within certain limits, indicating its width and offset, which may vary slightly depending on the diameter. This is not done just like that. Tires and wheels are important elements of a car's chassis. Therefore, any change in their parameters will inevitably lead to a change in the driving performance of the car, and not for the better. By specifying certain parameters obtained during engineering calculations and verified during finishing tests, the manufacturer guarantees the proper operation of suspension units without reducing its service life, as well as compliance of the vehicle's controllability with the requirements laid down during its design. Don't be condescending about this and try to argue with factory engineers and testers, it may cost more than it might seem at first glance. Also, when choosing wheels with a large diameter, keep in mind that the tire profile decreases, and the width often increases. On our "ideal" roads, it becomes much easier to damage such a tire, disk, and even suspension. In addition, the car becomes more "nervous" and sensitive to ruts on the road, and a wheel with a larger disc diameter, all other things being equal, is heavier than a wheel with a smaller disc diameter, which leads to worse dynamics and worse comfort due to the increase in unsprung masses. And finally, it should be remembered that the larger the radius of the disk, the more expensive it is, and the rubber is also significantly more expensive.
The second problem when buying disks is the choice of manufacturer. Here you need to be very careful and be sure to ask the seller for certificates for the disks being sold. It's up to you to decide which manufacturer to choose, but remember: your safety depends on the quality of the disks. Is it worth saving on it?
Fog lights
When driving in the city, fog lights are more of an image accessory than a useful one: they illuminate the road at a significantly shorter distance than low-beam headlights, so in the dark at speeds over 50 km/h their light is practically useless, since the road is illuminated almost in front of the bumper.
Warning! According to the Road Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation, fog lights can only be used in conjunction with low or high beam headlights in the dark on unlit sections of roads.
Full article on the website (LADAman)
Fog lights are usually installed at the bottom of the front bumper...
...that's why their glass is often broken by stones thrown from the road and bursts from temperature changes when they are flooded with cold water from a puddle while they are on.
But fog lights become indispensable during fog, rain and snowfall, when, unlike low or high beam headlights, fog lights better indicate the boundary of the roadway and the distance to the car in front and eliminate blinding glare of light in the leading veil.
Warning! According to the Road Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation, fog lights in conditions of poor visibility can be used either separately or with low or high beam headlights.
Xenon headlights
Undoubtedly, xenon headlights shine significantly better than halogen ones, but this imposes corresponding requirements on the vehicle's equipment: a vehicle with xenon headlights must be equipped with an automatic headlight dimmer and headlight washer. This is due to the fact that due to incorrect light dispersion by dirty headlight caps or inappropriate direction of the beam of light on a loaded vehicle, drivers of oncoming and passing vehicles will be blinded.
Therefore, it is better to order xenon headlights when buying a new car than to retrofit them later, since without a corrector and washer, there may be problems with passing the state technical inspection.
Mudguards
Mudguards are, on the one hand, a very simple accessory that does not affect anything. However, the front mudguards allow you to preserve the paintwork of the thresholds, as they protect them from sand and dirt flying out from under the wheels. And the rear mudguards protect the rear bumper and cars driving behind from them.
However, again, standard mudguards are better than universal ones, screwed to the car body with self-tapping screws.
Deflectors
Deflectors allow you to keep your car windows open during rain, both while driving and while parked, as they protect the interior from water droplets.
Bumper trims, moldings
On vehicles with bumpers that are fully painted in the body color, bumper covers will help keep the bumper in place on narrow streets and in parking lots filled with cars. However, in most cases, the pads seriously spoil the appearance of the car.
Side moldings perform a similar function when the doors are opened, protecting your car's doors from contact with the doors of nearby cars.
Protection of the engine crankcase and pipelines with steel sheets
Considering the quality of the road conditions, protection is an extremely necessary thing, since it allows you to protect the engine crankcase and the fuel and brake system pipelines from impacts with road obstacles. When choosing protection, it is better to opt for the original, as it will be attached to specially designated places on the power elements of the body. Third-party protection is most often attached in the most accessible places, as a result of which not only does it not perform its functions, but in the event of an impact with an obstacle it can also deform the body elements to which it is attached. This is also dangerous because many manufacturers, when testing cars for strength, take into account the optimal frame bends and displacement of the power unit, and the installation of non-original protection can prevent "directional deformation" and cause significant harm to the life and health of people.
Towing hitch
A towing hitch (towbar) is required for towing a trailer. As usual, you have a choice: branded or non-original. Non-original ones are much cheaper, but they do not always allow you to correctly select and install a towbar for a specific car model, and an incorrectly installed towing hitch when towing a trailer can lead to deformation of the body or even an accident. Branded towbars are much more expensive, but they are usually folding or quick-release (which is very convenient, since you don't have to drive with a trailer all the time). In addition, the space for the standard towbar is designed to support a trailer with the maximum permitted load.
Roof crossbars for securing luggage
Both original and universal crossbars are available for sale. You need to be careful when choosing, since universal crossbars can either match the original ones in terms of the method of fastening, or differ. In the second case, when transporting cargo, they can jump off and damage the car body, and the cargo can also get lost.
If there are roof rails (this accessory is only available to owners of station wagons and SUVs) universal crossbars will provide a fairly reliable fastening of the load, and there is probably no point in buying original ones.
It should be understood that in a modern car, the crossbars are only the basis for attaching the luggage rack itself, for example, for transporting bicycles,...
...universal frame roof rack...
...or an aerodynamic box.
