A range of alloy wheels are now available to fit almost any car, truck or motorcycle. The wheels are normally manufactured from an alloy of aluminum, or an alloy of magnesium, or quite often, a combination of both of these metals. This makes the wheel lighter but just as strong. These metals also conduct heat more efficiently and they look good too.

Road handling can be improved through the use of lighter wheels, as this reduces the unsprung mass of the vehicle, keeping the suspension closer to the road, which improves the grip provided by the tires. It should be pointed out that some alloy wheels may be heavier than steel pressings. Reducing the weight of a vehicle overall may also bring down fuel consumption.

Braking systems may be improved because of the heat dissipation qualities of the alloys. Carrying away the heat generated by the brakes in unfavorable conditions, may prevent brake failures because of overheating.

The cosmetic attraction of alloy metals can not be overlooked, coupled with the fact that the alloys being used are, in the main, corrosion free. Bare metal finishes, free from paint and wheel covers, are appealing to many vehicle owners. Bold, intricate designs are now a major part of the manufacturing process. Steel wheels on the other hand, are pressed from sheets of metal which are then welded with no attempts being made to dress up the welding. Painting and the fitting of hub caps or wheel covers then becomes necessary to improve the wheels appearance.

Because an alloy is a combination of two or more different metals, it is often subjected to galvanic corrosion where the metals react with one another under certain conditions. If not cared for, this may cause air to leak from the tires. When damaged, repairing the alloys may be difficult, but because they cost more, repairing them may prove to be cheaper than replacing them, even if they are badly damaged. This, of course, will depend how the owner feels.

Being more expensive than steel, the alloy wheels are not usually included as standard fittings on a new vehicle, but are supplied as optional extras. However due to their increased popularity, more and more economy types of vehicle are now fitting them. Larger, more expensive vehicles have been fitting them for some time now with the larger sizes being particularly popular.

Unfortunately, because they are so valuable, they have been targeted by thieves and this has forced many manufacturers to supply wheel nuts that can be locked which, in turn, requires that a key be carried in order to unlock them. The majority of alloy wheels are cast, but many are forged. The forged wheels tend to be stronger and lighter than the cast type but they are also more expensive.

A great proportion of magnesium alloy rims, also called mags, are being fitted to vehicles by owners who not only want esthetically pleasing accessories, but are also looking for performance improvements. Some aluminum products are mistakenly being called mags by the uninitiated. Some motor cycle manufacturers fit alloy wheels with disks cast from magnesium.