Good wheels can make a big difference in a car's overall safety, as tire and wheel manufacturers are quick to point out in their advertisements. There have been a surprising amount of major developments in wheel design in the last few decades, and despite the cliche, the wheel has been reinvented a number of times. This has led many drivers to question whether aftermarket wheels are as safe as factory models. After all, they cost less than quality factory wheels, so it stands to reason that there should be major differences. In most cases, however, the biggest difference between factory wheels and aftermarkets is simply the name printed on the wheels.
The good news is that aftermarket wheels are held to the same safety standards as factory options. While different manufacturers use different standards and features to differentiate their aftermarket products, at their core the wheels are based on the same design as factory wheels. Provided that they're approved for use on a specific vehicle, it's absolutely safe to use aftermarkets when they come from a reliable manufacturer, and thanks to a wide variety of manufacturers that specialize in high quality wheels, it's possible to find aftermarket alternatives for just about any car, truck, or other vehicle on the market.
In fact, in certain instances they can actually improve the overall performance of a vehicle. They can provide better balance, and while this doesn't mean better safety, it can mean better handling than standard wheels. Aftermarkets are often made from lighter materials than their factory alternatives, and some actually use different technology for enhanced handling. They're a more professional option in many instances and can give a vehicle a much better look than what would be possible with a factory wheel.
This is why aftermarket options are preferred by serious racing enthusiasts and car modification hobbyists. Any improved performance adds value to a vehicle. This improved performance comes with a lower price, too, as aftermarket wheels don't require the heavy name advertising investments of factory options, although many major aftermarket companies do have name recognition. An aftermarket wheel is simply less expensive than a factory wheel without a drop in performance and with a much lower price tag.
Ultimately, if aftermarket wheels were more dangerous than their major factory alternatives, they'd be harshly regulated to meet the high standards of safety commissions like the IIHS. Drivers who are worried about using aftermarket wheels should check into their materials to ensure quality, but aftermarket options are a great way to save money while getting improved balance and handling for any type of vehicle.
The author of this article has expertise in wheels. The articles on wheels reveals the author's knowledge on the same. The author has written many articles on wheels as well.
For the 2006 campaign, Stillen built up the Ford GT in a few months, equipping the mid-engine supercar with a performance exhaust, catalytic converter delete pipes, AP Racing front brakes, Penske shocks, a full cage and MOMO racing seats and harnesses. This year, they've tweaked the suspension, upgraded the brakes front and rear, added a set of Nordskog gauges and a GPS speedometer, along with pulling a few more ponies out of the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 and sending the additional grunt through an AP Racing clutch and a lower final drive ratio.
