Is It Meaningful to Upgrade from 17-inch to 18-inch Wheels?
3 Answers
There are both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, you get improved stability, better grip, enhanced anti-skid performance in rainy conditions, and a safer experience when attempting occasional drifts. Additionally, the aesthetic appeal is significantly enhanced. Overall, the handling and sporty performance are noticeably improved. On the downside, the costs are higher, and fuel consumption increases. If the wheel well structure doesn't provide enough space, upgrading to larger wheels also means you'll need to replace the suspension; otherwise, the tires may rub against the body. On smooth roads, this might not be an issue, but on rough roads, even with new suspension, the ride quality may feel unchanged. Based on the tire and wheel specifications, you can calculate the outer diameter of the tire. An 18-inch wheel has a slightly larger outer diameter than a 17-inch one, meaning the actual distance traveled with 18-inch wheels is slightly more than what the odometer shows. More details are as follows: 1. The wheel hub is also known as the rim. Depending on the characteristics and requirements of different vehicle models, the surface treatment process of the wheel hub may vary, generally including painting and plating. 2. For ordinary vehicle models, the appearance of the wheel hub is less of a consideration, with good heat dissipation being a common requirement. The process typically involves painting, which includes spraying followed by baking. This method is cost-effective, provides vibrant colors, and maintains durability—even when the vehicle is scrapped, the wheel hub's color remains unchanged. 3. Many popular vehicle models use painted wheel hubs. Some trendy, dynamic, and colorful wheel hubs also employ painting technology. These hubs are moderately priced and come in a wide range of specifications. Plated wheel hubs can be further categorized into silver plating, water plating, and pure plating. 4. Silver-plated and water-plated wheel hubs offer bright and vivid colors but have a shorter lifespan, making them more affordable and popular among young people who seek novelty. Pure-plated wheel hubs, on the other hand, maintain their color for a long time and are considered high-quality but come at a higher price.
Last week I just swapped my Civic's 16-inch wheels for 18-inch ones, and the most noticeable difference is how rock-solid the lane changes feel, like it's glued to the road. With larger rims and thinner tires, the steering response is quicker by half a beat, and high-speed cornering sees 30% less body roll. But you have to slow down below 15km/h for speed bumps, or the jolt could send your phone flying. Tire costs also require careful budgeting—what used to be 400 yuan per tire now costs 700, making the set 1200 yuan more expensive. Most crucially, you need a wheel alignment after the modification. Last time I forgot to adjust the toe-in, and two tires were bald within a month. It's advised to check tire pressure monthly for the first three months post-modification, as thin tires lose air much faster.
Honestly, fitting 18-inch wheels with low-profile tires can boost the side profile appeal by 20 points. My brother's Fit instantly turned into a sharp-looking ride after the mod, but you gotta watch the ET value. Last time he cheaped out on the wrong wheels, they rubbed against the fenders at full lock, costing him another 800 bucks to adjust the suspension. Daily commute fuel consumption increased by 0.8L/100km, and you have to brake early for manhole covers. The tire guy said these thin tires are most prone to bulges—once he hit a brick at 60 km/h, and 3,000 yuan went straight down the drain. My advice? Get the measurements right at a tire shop before modding.
