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The right rims for your wheels
Car rims come in different sizes and types and the best way of knowing the right size for your car is by checking your tyres. NET PHOTO
What you need to know:
The rim is the outer part of a car tyre and if you pick the right one as Racheal Irene Nalubega writes, you will have people staring at your car tyres wherever you pass.
A car rim is the outer edge of a wheel, holding the tyre. Without it, the tyre is of no use since it cannot be attached to the car. Rims come in different types, sizes and prices as explained.
Types
Car rims are either sport rims or ordinary rims and this determines the prices, car appearance and strength to adhere to harsh roads.
According to Kiseka Edward a mechanic, sport car rims are aluminum while ordinary rims are steel. This explains the expensive nature of sport rims because aluminum is expensive.
“Some car owners with cars such as Pajeros use sport rims because they want their cars to look good. Sport rims are loved for their good appearance,” Kiseka says.
“Sport rims are also eye catching due to their designs and it is these designs that make the car more expensive depending on how much art was put in when making the rim,” Kiseka adds.
Rim sizes
Car rim sizes vary according to the tyres used. The size of the rim supposed to be fixed in the tyre is scripted as R15 or 16 (number varies) on the tyre. So for a car owner to get the right size rims, they are supposed to check the rim size on the tyre before heading to purchase a rim.
Kiseka adds that a car owner should stick to that particular rim size because a different size from what is recommended will not fit in the tyre.
“Rims range from size 13 to 22, so before purchasing a rim, one has to know the size of their rim by reading it from the tyre on top because it is only that size that will fit.”
Prices
Rim prices vary depending on the size and type of rim you are to buy. The prices also defers depending on the brand purchased; Japan and Taiwan are the most commonly imported rims in Uganda according to Kisingo Abdul, a mechanic at Tyre Centre, Jinja Road.
“Japan rims being original are the most expensive with a pair of rims ranging from Shs550,000 to Shs1m but Taiwan rims range from Shs240,000 to Shs600,000 depending on the rim size and type.”
“The more the size, Shs 50,000 is added however since Ugandan prices are not stable everywhere then it is advisable to use the amounts as a basis for bargaining when buying rims,” Mr Kisingo advises.
Durability
Kiseka say rims never expire so it is up to the car owner to change it at any time they feel like but it can last up to even 20 years depending on your driving techniques.
Kisingo agrees with Kiseka adding that rims are only changed if they wear out.
“Car owners never change rims unless they burst when driving on bad roads which will require one to get new rims since a damaged rim is no longer of use but even if it is, a Japan model rim but of an ordinary type, it is also bound to give way,” Kisingo says.
THE numbers
Shs550,000
Cheapest price of Japan rims
Shs240,000
Cheapest price of Taiwan rims
