How to protect wheels in winter?

Car rims, like tires, have their own resource, and just like tires, a lot depends on how we operate them. The issue is not even about the type of roads, but rather about how carefully we treat them. The most common lightweight rims are made of complex alloys that are protected from various aggressive liquids and climate conditions by a paint coating, so when we damage it, we open up a potential site for corrosion and metal oxidation. 

No matter how carefully you drive your car, sooner or later you will scratch your rims. It's inevitable. There are several ways to protect your rims, if not completely, then at least to significantly reduce the degree of damage and risks. The most vulnerable area of the rim is the edge of the rim flange. This part of the rim comes into contact with foreign objects, most often a curbstone, when parking the car in parallel. Tire manufacturers are aware of this problem and make special "rim protectors" made of rubber designed to protect the rim flange from damage. As a rule, such protection is found in premium brand tires with a diameter of 17 inches or more. 

Since not all tires have rim protection, there are special protective rim strips that can be attached to the rims or inserted into the contact area between the tire and the rim. In this case, it is recommended to prefer adhesive protective elements, as their analogs, which are simply installed between the rim and the tire, can lead to minor pressure losses under extreme loads, which is already a serious threat to loss of control. Of course, not all manufacturers' protective strips have this drawback, but it's not worth checking it out on your own. 

 

However, rims, like tires, need to be treated as consumable materials, where attempts to save them should not compromise your safety.

And, of course, the factor of winter conditions. Low temperatures and a large amount of road reagents, salt, sand, and constant humidity significantly exacerbate the impact on the paint coating of the rims. Therefore, a layer of "protective" dirt consisting of complex components of reagents and salts does not benefit either your body or your rims. You should regularly wash your car, paying special attention to the rims, not only for cleanliness but also for protection.