When your drive becomes a glide

Lead in: Wheels impact the overall performance of a vehicle. Taking good care of wheels can not only ensure a smooth journey, but also improve the vehicle's mileage. Read on for a few tips on maintaining your car's wheels.

A car owner's driving style and the road conditions affect the automobile's performance majorly. Owing to the dire state of Indian roads, you vehicle may need extra care, especially for external car parts like wheels.

Car wheels specifically need extra attention as they are prone to more wear and tear compared to other car parts. To ensure that your wheels remain unaffected and well-maintained even in rough driving terrain, you need to combine regular maintenance with efficient driving.

We have listed below three-step process to keep your wheels zooming for years to come.

1. Clean
Grime, dirt and dust accumulate in different parts of the wheel like rims, spokes, hubcaps, nuts, bolts, etc. Such material, if left unattended for long, corrodes the wheels. To avoid such damage, all parts of the wheels must be cleaned thoroughly. To have spic and span wheels, spray a wheel cleaner on the corners and crevasses of the wheels and clean with a brush. Use a jet spray to rinse and wash off all the grime and dirt. Follow this up with a coat of surface protectors which will prevent scratches on the wheels. All these products are easily available in auto stores. If you have a new or recently-launched car, you may find also find customised products for it. Compare various car cleaning products and then select the most appropriate one.

2. Oil
Ensure that there are no leaks in and around the wheels. The brake fluid should not be seeping out. Watch out for a coat of oil on the tyres' surface, which is a sign of fluid leakage. After you have cleaned and washed the wheels, wax them so that they sparkle and stand out on the road. Different car models have varied finishes on their wheels; hence take care not etch the polished surface.

3. Inspect
One of the most important parts of a wheel is the tyre. Tyres affect the performance of each vehicle, no matter what the model of the car is. Inspect the tyres regularly to ensure that they are neither over-inflated nor under-inflated. Under-inflated tyres consume more fuel, whereas over-inflated ones carry the risk of exploding while driving at a high speed. Refer the owners' manual to know the recommended tyre pressure for your car model. If possible, invest in a tyre gauge to check the air pressure periodically.

These simple steps will convert your dull looking car wheels into a bright and gleaming set of four wheels.

Your car's wheels may need different products for maintenance according to their make or model. New cars being launched today come with various types of wheels ranging from alloy, steel, aluminium to chrome, hence they should be maintained according to the respective materials. In addition to this, put in extra time and effort for wheel care to ensure that they last longer and you cut repair and replacement costs.