| Alloy rims are one of the hottest vehicle accessories | | | | Place the new rims - Put the new rims into place and |
| going. They not only look great, but they can also | | | | secure them properly with the bolts. It is best to use |
| improve performance, handling and safety. When a set | | | | bolts provided with the new rims if they are present. |
| of rims is purchased, the first thing most motorists | | | | Otherwise, grab the bolts that were set aside from the |
| want to do is get them installed right away. | | | | old rims and make sure they are properly reinstalled. |
| If paying installation fees or waiting for garage time | | | | Fill the tires - Make sure to use the air compressor to |
| does not fit in the cards, it is possible to handle | | | | properly inflate the tires to manufacturer specifications. |
| installation at home. The task will take some serious | | | | Use a tire gauge to be certain the right amount of |
| elbow grease and a little bit of time, but it can offer | | | | pressure has been added. |
| rewards down the road. | | | | Rinse and repeat - Go around the car and repeat the |
| To get started with installing alloy wheels, it is | | | | process on the other three tires. |
| necessary to not only have the new rims, but also | | | | Test drive - It is a good idea to test out the rims in a |
| some basic tools. The list of tools includes a jack, | | | | safe location before settling that the job has been |
| preferably hydraulic, a crowbar, air compressor and | | | | done right. Drive around for a while and then test the |
| socket wrenches. When everything is in place, these | | | | rims to make sure they are still securely in place and |
| steps will get the job done: | | | | the bolts are tight. |
| Jack up the car - If a hydraulic lift is available, lift the | | | | If alloy rims get damaged down the road, it is |
| entire car off the ground to a safe level. If one is not, | | | | sometimes possible to repair them instead of having to |
| then jack up one tire at a time. | | | | replace them. Should the problem be a minor ding or |
| Let the air out - Deflating the air in the tires can make it | | | | dent, try reshaping the metal. Scratches can |
| a whole lot easier to remove the old rim and put on a | | | | sometimes be worked out through cleaning. If the |
| new one. Full deflation is probably not necessary, but | | | | problem runs deeper, there are garages that specialize |
| partial can make the job move much more quickly. | | | | in rehabbing alloy rims. |
| Loosen bolts - Before trying to remove the old rims, | | | | Alloy rims not only make cars look great, they can |
| loosen the connecting bolts with a socket wrench and | | | | improve handling and performance. Installing new rims |
| remove them completely. Set this aside because they | | | | at home is possible with the right tools and a little bit of |
| will be needed later. | | | | time. Just take care to do the job right to avoid |
| Out with the old - Take off the old rims using the | | | | damage to the new rims. |
| crowbar. | | | | |