Hi all,I'm new to this forum. I've been looking at a ford focus 1.6l x reg. Lovely car but it has alloy wheels which I've never had before. I use my car for work and I'm worried about the bad snow we've had. Are alloys just as safe as steels in bad conditions. Plus I drive a few hundred miles to my daughter twice a year. Please excuse my ignorance but I neeed help with this.
zev

[quote name='zev' date='24 March 2010 - 05:15 PM' timestamp='1269450305' post='73709']
Hi all,I'm new to this forum. I've been looking at a ford focus 1.6l x reg. Lovely car but it has alloy wheels which I've never had before. I use my car for work and I'm worried about the bad snow we've had. Are alloys just as safe as steels in bad conditions. Plus I drive a few hundred miles to my daughter twice a year. Please excuse my ignorance but I neeed help with this.
zev
[/quote]
As long as you have good quality tyres on them you will be fine. There really is no difference at all unless you are upgrading size (15" to 16" for example)

As has already been mentioned, if the tyres are good there is nothing to worry about. The main advantage of alloys over steel is that they are lighter and more cosmetically pleasing. If they get damaged (through hitting a kerb etc.) then they can be expensive to repair. In terms of safety they are every bit as re;liable as steel wheels.

Lighter??? When i have compared weight like for like with the steel wheels i exchange in place for alloys i find the alloys far heavier.

[quote name='bottletree' date='24 March 2010 - 08:56 PM' timestamp='1269463588' post='73754']
Lighter??? When i have compared weight like for like with the steel wheels i exchange in place for alloys i find the alloys far heavier.
[/quote]
Alloys generally are heavier, which is strange seeing as they're sold as probably being more sporty. Although, thinking about it scientifically, a heavier wheel while spinning would create greater centrifugal force, allowing the wheel to rotate easier than a lighter one.

Does that make sense?

Mike

Sorry, typo!, was getting excited about watching Avatar in 3D!

alloys look good probaly not a lot of difference really other than that but downside hit a pot hole with alloy it def get damaged (buckle)where as steel tend to be a little more give hth

[quote name='craigy' date='26 March 2010 - 06:01 PM' timestamp='1269625905' post='74179']
alloys look good probaly not a lot of difference really other than that but downside hit a pot hole with alloy it def get damaged (buckle)where as steel tend to be a little more give hth
[/quote]
Not if you get a decent alloy
I hit a massive pothole at about 60 with my O.Z i a think it gave me a bigger scare than my alloy

[quote name='Gazjs' date='26 March 2010 - 06:28 PM' timestamp='1269627515' post='74184']
Not if you get a decent alloy
I hit a massive pothole at about 60 with my O.Z i a think it gave me a bigger scare than my alloy
[/quote]
fair enough lol