It seems surprising because wheels are such a critical part of your car’s performance and safety, but currently, there are no mandatory standards for wheel performance and testing in the United States. However, the Society of Automotive Engineers has established standards for performance for aftermarket wheels, called SAE J 2530. Aftermarket manufacturers recognize the importance of J 2530 certification as a mark of quality.

Car manufacturers traditionally provided steel wheels, until weight and looks become more of an issue for car owners. Enter alloy wheels—typically made of aluminum combined with another metal, such as magnesium (that’s where “mag wheels” comes from). Nickel or some other combination of these light metals are also common. In addition to their light weight, the benefits of alloy rims include:

Masujiro Hashimoto founded Japan’s first automaker, Kaishinskha Motor Car Works, in 1911. They called their first car the DAT and rolled it out in 1914. After two name changes and years of primarily producing trucks for the military market, the company, at the time called DAT Motors, merged with Jitsuyo Jidosha and became DAT Jidosha Seizo Automobile Manufacturing Company. The new entity produced cars and trucks under the name Lila.

We’ve all heard the rule of thumb that a new car loses a lot of value the minute it rolls off the lot. There are several basic considerations to keep your car in great shape, maintain its resale value, and get the most enjoyment out of it for as long as possible. As an example of ways to maintain a luxury car, here is a guide on how to care for your Lexus.

Road salt lowers water’s freezing temperature and helps keep ice from forming. It substantially reduces accidents on treated roads. Drivers should be grateful for the added safety, but they should stay mindful of the negative effects of road salt on cars. We address specifically how road salt affects your rims.

It’s bad enough when a wheel is so badly damaged by a pothole that it has to be replaced. Then it gets worse when you are confronted with a dizzying array of choices to replace it. Knowing the difference between OEM and aftermarket wheels can ease the pain of decision-making.