How to Identify an Alloy Wheel Brand
by William Zane
There are so many companies designing and manufacturing wheels, it can be difficult to determine who the manufacturer actually is. When you add to that the fact that there are companies making replicas (or fakes) of high-quality wheels, it can be important to determine who made your wheels.
Step 1
Inspect the wheel cap. The cap is the part that covers the car’s hub where it comes through the center of the wheel. Manufactures generally have their logo and name on the center cap. Often wheels are missing the center caps, making it difficult to determine the maker.
Step 2
Inspect the rim of the wheel. The rim is the outer part of the wheel (not the center), and manufacturers like BBS often have their logo molded into the rim for identification. Also inspect the area around the lug holes where the wheel is fastened to the car. Often there will be a logo or company name there as well.
Step 3
Turn the wheel over so that the back can be inspected. If the wheel is mounted on a car, you will have to remove it to allow the back to be inspected. Loosen the lug nut, raise the vehicle with a floor jack, and place it securely on jack stands. Finish removing the lug nuts and the wheel.
Step 4
Look for a logo or the name of a wheel manufacturer imprinted on the back of the wheel. There might also be the size of the wheel, the offset, and the date it was manufactured, depending on the company that made it.
Step 5
Compare the wheel to photos on a wheel distributor's website such as the Tire Rack. This can be helpful if no markings are found on the wheel.
References
Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
Writer Bio
William Zane has been a freelance writer and photographer for over six years and specializes primarily in automotive-related subject matter among many other topics. He has attended the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, where he studied automotive design, and the University of New Mexico, where he studied journalism.
