Alloy wheels
The main advantage of alloy wheels over steel wheels is their lighter weight. Accordingly, their installation on the car leads to a decrease in unsprung mass and, as a result, an increase in comfort and traffic safety, as well as an increase in dynamics.
The second advantage, for many it is the main one, a more interesting and varied design.
Basically, in the production of light alloy wheels, aluminum alloys are used, less often magnesium alloys, although in the second case, the wheels are even lighter in weight and have better damping ability. In addition, due to better thermal conductivity, magnesium discs improve heat dissipation from wheel hubs and brakes.
Depending on the technology used in production, alloy wheels can be cast or forged (stamped). 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 not exceeding the cost of cast wheels from not very famous manufacturers.
The downside of alloy wheels is that they tend to oxidize and corrode. Therefore, the discs are covered with a protective varnish. But this protection is not eternal and can be damaged both on a bad road and with inept tire mounting, and a good powder coating of a wheel is an expensive pleasure. Of course, the steel disc also begins to actively rust when the paintwork is damaged, but in this case the rust is superficial and does not lead to a change in the structure of the disc metal. The second disadvantage of an alloy wheel is that, unlike a steel wheel, in case of damage, it cannot be rolled. Special equipment is needed to straighten the wheel, and in the event of a strong blow, cast alloy wheels usually break. In this regard, forged wheels are better able to withstand bumps in the road surface and are more resistant to deformation and destruction. Therefore, fake and cheap discs are very dangerous, in the casting of which there may be shells, cracks and other hidden defects.
Alloy wheels are perhaps one of the most important accessories influencing the appearance of a car.
The first problem when choosing disks is the correct selection of geometric parameters. Currently, the choice of alloy wheels is huge and all you need to know to select a wheel for a 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 do not doubt only the need to match the number and diameter of the location of the mounting holes, and, perhaps, the matching of the diameter of the central hole using centering rings. The rest of the parameters are usually treated with disdain, the main thing is that the wheel fits in the arch and does not hurt for anything. But this is completely wrong, and often just dangerous. As a rule, the vehicle operating instructions indicate the parameters of the wheels and tires approved for installation on this vehicle. It can be seen that the manufacturer usually allows you to choose the diameter of the disks within certain limits, while indicating its width and offset, which may vary slightly depending on the diameter. This is not just done. Tires and wheels are important parts 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 in the course of engineering calculations and verified during development tests, the manufacturer guarantees the correct operation of the suspension units without reducing its resource, as well as the compliance of the vehicle's handling with the requirements laid down in its design. Do not look down on 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 larger 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, disc and even suspension. In addition, the car becomes more «nervous» and sensitive to rutting on the road, also a wheel with a large disk diameter, ceteris paribus, is heavier than a wheel with a smaller disk diameter, which leads to a deterioration in dynamics and a deterioration in comfort due to an 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 much more expensive.
The second problem when buying discs is the choice of manufacturer. Here you need to be very careful and be sure to ask the seller for certificates for the discs being sold. Which manufacturer to choose is up to you, but remember: your safety depends on the quality of the disks. Is it worth saving?
Fog lights
When driving around the city, fog lights are more of a fashion accessory than a useful one: they illuminate the road for a much shorter distance than dipped beam headlights, so in the dark at speeds of more than 50 km / h, their light is practically useless, since the road is illuminated almost in front of the very bumper.
Warning! According to the Rules of the Road of the Russian Federation, fog lamps at night on unlit sections of roads can only be used in conjunction with low or high beam headlights.
Fog lights are usually installed at the bottom of the front bumper...
...that's why their glasses quite often break from stones that have fallen from the road and burst from temperature differences when, when turned on, they are flooded with cold water from a puddle.
But fog lights become indispensable during fog, rain and snowfall, when, unlike dipped or high beam headlights, fog lights better indicate the border of the carriageway and the distance to the car in front and exclude blinding glare of light from the introductory shroud.
Warning! According to the Rules of the Road of the Russian Federation, fog lamps in conditions of insufficient visibility can be used both separately and with dipped or high beam headlights.
Xenon headlights
Undoubtedly, xenon headlights shine much better than halogen ones, but this imposes corresponding requirements on vehicle equipment: a car with xenon headlights must be equipped with automatic headlight dimmer and headlight washer. This is due to the fact that due to incorrect light scattering by dirty headlight caps or inappropriate direction of the light beam 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 in the absence of a corrector and washer, there may be problems with passing the state technical inspection.
Mudguards
Mudguards on the one hand is a very simple and unaffected accessory. However, the front mudguards allow you to save the paintwork of the thresholds, as they cover them from sand and dirt flying out from under the wheels. And the rear mudguards cover the rear bumper and cars driving behind from them.
However, again, standard mudguards are better than universal mudguards screwed to the car body with screws.
Deflectors
Deflectors allow you to keep the windows of the car ajar in the rain, both while driving and while parking, as they protect the interior from water droplets.
Bumper pads, moldings
On vehicles with full body-coloured bumpers, bumper pads help keep the bumper in place in tight streets and car parks. However, in most cases, overlays greatly spoil the appearance of the car.
Side moldings perform a similar function when opening doors, protecting your car's doors from contact with the doors of nearby vehicles.
Protection of the engine crankcase and pipelines with steel sheets
Given the quality of the condition of the roads, protection is an essential thing, since it allows you to protect the engine crankcase and pipelines of the power supply and brake systems from hitting road obstacles. When choosing protection, it is better to stay on the original one, since it will be attached to specially provided places on the power elements of the body. Protection from a third-party manufacturer is most often attached in the most accessible places, as a result, not only does it not perform its functions, but also in the event of a hit against an obstacle, it can deform the body elements on which it is fixed. This is also dangerous because many manufacturers, when testing cars for strength, take into account the optimal frame bends and the displacement of the power unit, and the installation of non-original protection may prevent «directional deformation» and cause significant harm to human life and health.
Drawbar hitch
Drawbar hitch (hitch) required for towing a trailer. As usual, you have a choice: branded or non-original. Non-original ones are much cheaper, but do not always allow you to choose and install the towbar correctly for a specific car model, and an incorrectly installed towing device when towing a trailer can lead to body deformation or even an accident. Branded towbars are significantly more expensive, but they are usually foldable or quick-release (which is very convenient, because you don’t have to drive with a trailer all the time). In addition, the place for a standard towbar is designed to withstand a trailer with the maximum permitted load.
Roof rails for securing luggage
On sale there are both original and universal crossbars. You need to be careful with the choice, since the universal crossbars can either match the original ones in terms of the method of attachment, or differ. In the second case, during the transportation of cargo, they can come off and damage the car body, and even the cargo will be lost.
If there are railings on the roof (this accessory is available only to owners of station wagons and SUVs) universal crossbars will provide a fairly reliable fastening of the load, and it probably does not make sense to buy original ones.
It should be understood that in a modern car, the crossbars are only the basis for attaching the trunk itself, for example, for transporting bicycles,...
... universal frame trunk...
...or an aerodynamic box.