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A rim protector does what the name implies. It protects the rim of your car from dents and scratches that commonly occur while driving. Contrary to what many think, it is a non-structural part of the tyre and not on the rim itself, but on the tyre or more precisely, the sidewall of the tyre.
What tyres have rim protectors?
A mark on the tyre sidewall indicates whether a tyre has a rim protector or not. However, this marking varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. In general, you will find a mark on the sidewall of the tyre to indicate if the tyre has a rim protector. Unfortunately, this marking is not standardised. An alternative to rim protectors is rim blades. These are flexible rim protection rings that you can stick around the rim to protect it. Although the system is less effective than rim protectors built into the tyre, the rings can be replaced after an impact and are available in a variety of colours, if you buy new tyres online, which should appeal to tuning fans.
A protective cover for the rims is particularly useful if you are going to drive a lot in the city. In the confines of the city, an accident on the curb can happen more quickly. These are also often used on higher-end or Ultra High Performance (UHP) tyres, also commonly known as low-profile tyres. This is because these tyres have a particularly wide tread and low sidewall, making them inherently more sensitive to obstacles on driveways, car parks, etc. Even off-road tyres are often fitted with a protective strip because the damage caused by wild off-road driving, bumps and obstacles is inevitable. Similarly, this is often used on vans, mail delivery vehicles, and caravans as the side wall is reinforced to provide extra protection against kerbs.
Car wheel trims
Wheel trims have no particular function other than to personalise your car and make it look sportier. It is therefore up to you whether you want to put them on your car or not. If you decide to spruce up your car, there are a variety of different designs of car wheel trims available at reasonable prices.
More ways to protect your tyres
If you have quality 205 55 r16 tyres or any other type, you’ll want to make sure that they last as long as possible. Other than rim protectors, there are ways to prevent damage and keep your tyres in tip-top shape.
When parking at a kerb, never drive right up to the kerb, but always leave some space between to protect your tyres and wheel rims. Keep in mind that the tyres have to be properly stored. Before you decide to store them, make sure to give them a good cleaning, but don’t use cleaning agents that contain potentially harmful oils or solvents. A high-pressure cleaner should only be used for rims, but not for cleaning the tyres, as high water pressure can cause damage. Make sure that they are completely dry before you put them away to prevent rust or corrosion.
The lifespan of tyres also depends on the correct air pressure. If the pressure is too low, the rolling resistance increases, the braking distance becomes longer, and the vehicle has less grip in curves. This can lead to higher fuel consumption and a significantly reduced service life.
Excessive tyre pressure leads to increased tyre wear. When storing summer or winter tyres, the air pressure should be 0.5 bar higher than when driving. This is because even unused tyres continuously lose pressure. Contact with oil, grease or solvents will also damage tyres, as will prolonged exposure to sunlight through a cellar or garage window. The ideal storage place is cool, dry, and dark. If you follow some of these basic tips, your tyres will thank you and reward you with many years of service.
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