Moving Ahead

Anthony Fontanelle
January 21, 2008

Despite having a flashy exterior and a powerful engine, a vehicle cannot go anywhere without a set of wheels. A wheel is a circular device that can rotate and make motion of machines or objects possible. The wheel, together with the axle, beats friction by rolling.

In the beginning, wheels were simple wooden disks with a hole for the axle. Soon, man discovered that these components would be perfect for propulsion if used with an axle. This gave birth to wheeled transportation. The spoked wheel was later invented and paved the way for lighter and swifter vehicles. This kind of wheel had been commonly used without key alterations until in the 1870s when wire wheels and pneumatic tires were conceptualized and produced.

The wheel is an important auto part because it pushes a vehicle forward. Also, an attractive set of wheels adds to the aesthetic features of a car. Not many people know that this auto part can give an extra punch to the other people’s impression of the vehicle. Wheels nowadays come in various styles and designs. These are constructed out of a variety of materials and are decorated with either simple or intricate designs.

Two types of car wheels are most commonly used today: the steel wheel and the magnesium alloy wheel. Steel wheels are durable and inexpensive. These wheels are easy to manufacture; that is why many automakers produce them. On the other hand, magnesium alloy wheels are designed for those who want a lighter, more attractive, more exceptional and/or larger wheel base on their cars. This type is also known as the mags, a term coined from magnesium alloy. This type of wheel is popular because it can boost the performance of race cars. However, magnesium alloy wheels are not ideal for ordinary passenger vehicles because they are expensive.

Source:  Amazines.com