Each winter, the question arises as to whether you need to change over to steel rims in the colder months or can continue driving on alloys. What if you have fitted all-season tires? Can you use these wheels in the winter season? Find out by reading this article whether your wheels are suitable for winter and what you should bear in mind when using them.
Why winter roads are so special
What is the difference between road dirt in summer and winter? In winter, the roads are wet and winter service cars are often out clearing snow and ice. The salt used to de-ice roads is a substance that should not be underestimated. It consists of at least 94% sodium chloride – the cooking salt commonly used in households. The sodium it contains is capable of oxidizing aluminum, thus leading to white patches of corrosion and infiltration of the coating.
Are there differences in the paintwork?
Not with RIAL. All fully painted wheels have a triple-layer wet powder coating. In the case of a burnished variant, these surfaces are machined down to the shiny aluminum using industrial diamonds and then coated with a clear lacquer powder.
It is important here that the wheel undergoes chrome-free pretreatment before each coating procedure. In the event of damage to the coating, this largely prevents the corrosion from spreading out below the coating down to the aluminum. As a result, any damage can be dealt with using an off-the-shelf touch-up pen.
Polished alloy wheels in winter
There is no question about it: a polished wheel looks good in winter, too, and can certainly still be used. With its single-coat paint, an alloy wheel is more susceptible to damage from stones or collisions. Damaged areas may therefore corrode if they are not identified and rectified in good time.
You can find the ideal winter wheels for your car from the comfort of your home, using our Wheel Configurator . By looking for the snowflake symbol right next to the wheel that fits your car, you can quickly identify the most suitable options for the colder months.
The right care in winter conditions
We recommend cleaning alloy wheels once a week in winter. This is because dirt from the road can become baked onto your wheels by the heat generated when braking. To avoid corrosion, you need to clear away the grime on both the inside and the outside of the wheels. The best way to do this is using a soft sponge, warm water and a dishwashing detergent or car shampoo. Detailed care instructions can be found here.
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