If you're in the market to buy a new set of tires, you might be wondering if they also come with a new set of rims. Tires are expensive, and it pays to do some research before installing a new set. It's intimidating to walk into a tire shop and have no idea what you're looking for or what you actually need compared to what they're trying to sell you.
Table of contents
- When you buy new tires, do they also come with rims?
- Buy new tires and matching rims
- Tires
- Rand
- Hub
- hub cap
- 1. Are you upgrading your tire?
- 2. Are your old rims worn out?
- 3. Are you looking for a more customized look?
When you buy new tires, do they also come with rims?
New tires don't usually come with rims, but you can buy them separately if you're upgrading your tire, if your old rims are worn out and need replacing, or if you're just looking for something more customized and new in the market.
When we talk about needing new tires for our vehicle, most of the time we focus on the actual rubber hitting the road. Although it is advisable to change our rubber tires after a certain number of kilometers (depending on your car and driving habits), we rarely talk about changing rims.
For anyone who doesn't know much about cars, the question of whether new rims are needed can seem daunting, to say the least.
I like cars and have always been amazed at how little attention people pay to the rims that support their tires. Not only can different rims give a vehicle a very different look, they also play a role in a car's safety and performance. It is worth spending some time understanding and researching them.
Buy new tires and matching rims
It's a good idea to know the different parts of the tire before you go to the tire shop. The better you understand the various components, the more likely you'll be happy there and feel like you've played an active role in your purchase and not scratched your head over the tire fitment.
Tires
The part we usually refer to as the tire is the rubber part on the very outside and the part that hits the road. The rubber fits around the skeleton of the wheel and protects the metal part inside.
Rand
The rim is the piece of metal that we can see spinning and is usually silver but can be customized (as you'll see in a moment). The rim sits under the rubber portion of the tire. The rim is also responsible for keeping the rubber portion of the tire attached to the axle and the rest of the car.
Hub
The hub sits right in the middle of the wheel and connects the whole thing to your car's axle. The hub is also what connects the wheel to the braking system.
hub cap
The hub cap sits over the hub and is mainly for aesthetics so you don't see the inner workings of the hub itself. Hubcaps are not technically a necessary part of a tire.
Now that you're more familiar with the major components of your wheelset, we can talk about why your new tires probably don't come with new rims, but when and if you should buy them anyway.
1. Are you upgrading your tire?
If you've decided to try a larger tire size (more tire width means a larger wheel diameter), you'll most likely need to buy rims to match.
Depending on how much larger your tire is, you might be able to get away with the same type of rim you rolled into the store with. (There are manyTire Size Calculatorthat may help you determine this.)
However, usually for a larger tire you need a larger rim because you want to keep the diameter between tire and rim the same as before.
If your rim is too small for your tire, the rubber will not fit around it. If the rim is too big for your tire, the rubber will not seal properly and can eventually damage your wheels. It can also cause problems with the wrong speedometer and is just a safety hazard overall.
Most tire shops will not be thrilled to fit such a tire to your vehicledoes not fit on a rimSo if you want to get bigger, you need to invest bigger.
Rims usually last much longer than the average set of tires. So if you're planning to go down that route, know that you're letting go of rims that probably could have given you at least a few more years before needing to be replaced.
2. Are your old rims worn out?
Another reason you might want to consider buying new rims when shopping for new tires is that rims wear out over time, just like any other part of your car.
Rims don't need to be replaced as often as tires. Most experts agree that a typical American drives between 12,000 and 15,000 miles a year which means a decent set of tires should last around 5 to 6 years as most tires these days claim to last 60,000 to 80,000 miles.
However, rims can last even longer. Assuming you drive like the average American, your rims should last around 10 years for alloy wheels and 15 to 20 years for steel wheels. Most of us won't have the same car for even that long!
But if your rims are starting to show significant signs of wear (rust, nicks, dents, etc.), it's something to think aboutreplace themwhen you buy new tires.
A wheel rim that is rusting or warping at the edges is a dangerous component of your vehicle and should be checked for damage and potential complications. While it's not a common problem if the car has been in an accident or has driven significant miles, it's definitely worth having the rims checked to make sure they're in good working order.
3. Are you looking for a more customized look?
Sometimes car owners decide to buy new rims if they want tobuy new tiresbecause they are ready for a more individual look.
Rims are like glasses or a new watch. Yes, they serve a function... but they can look really good doing it!
I would guess that most Americans won't be that concerned with the rims of their cars. (Especially because they can be quite expensive.) But if you're an avid car enthusiast, have built your car from the ground up, or just have a desire to show off something different while your wheels are turning, buying is newer Rims definitely the right thing you might want to consider.
Like I said before, rims don't come cheap. One reason they don't come with new tires is that they would increase the price of tires significantly. Not to mention that they are not needed as regularly as new tires.
A regular, plain rim can cost around $100 (for one). Fancy rims cost over $1000 for one and $4000 for a set of 4.
Buying new rims can clearly be an investment. But many think it's worth every penny.
FAQs
Do I need to buy new rims with new tires? ›
If your new wheels are the same diameter and width as your existing wheels, then it is acceptable to reuse your existing tires on your new wheels. We strongly suggest reaching out to your local dealer or tire shop to verify that this would be safe to do.
Do you need to replace all 4 tires on 4WD? ›With AWD and FT-4WD vehicles, replacing less than 4 tires can be harmful to your vehicle's drive-train. This is why many AWD/FT-4WD vehicle manufacturers state that all 4 tires need to be replaced at the same time.
Do you have to replace all 4 tires on FWD? ›On a two-wheel-drive vehicle, regardless of being FWD or RWD, a better approach would be to replace the pair on the same axle. The best approach, though, is to replace all four if the tread on the old tires is significantly worn.
Can you reuse rims on new tires? ›As long as the rim brake track is not excessively worn you can reuse the rim. Even if it is worn you can use it but expect to re-replace it sooner rather than later. You need the number of spoke holes in wheel to match the replacement hub, and the spoke length to be close enough.
Do you need an alignment after replacing rims and tires? ›We recommend an alignment after the installation of new tires. This helps you get the most life from your new tires. Wheel alignment checks are always advised after a significant impact or uneven tire wear is detected.
How much do new tires with rims cost? ›According to sources around the internet, the average cost of a full set of tires is around $600. However, tire prices vary widely by size and intended use. A typical all-season, 15-inch tire size (fits most sedan-size cars) tends to cost about half as much as its 20-inch pickup truck or SUV-sized counterpart.