Since May of 1998, Wheel Pro has been providing wheels, hubcaps and accessories to the general public and rare automobile collectors in Western Canada.
With over 5,000 sq. ft. of inventory and equipment allows Wheel Pros to provide the largest product selection and services. In addition to our regular stock, we can special order hard to find products for new and antique automobiles.
We are your one stop for everything you need for your vehicles wheels!
November 18, 2011
Winter tires and wheels are usually on a car for about 6 months of the year. That’s a long time to be staring at ugly black wheels. A better alternative is to get some hubcaps. These days, hubcaps can make a steel wheel look like a more expensive alloy wheel and will improve the overall look of the vehicle. Moreover, they provide some protection to the lug nuts and wheel studs so they don’t corrode and seize up. Wheel Pro’s stocks top-quality hubcaps that have steel clips on the back that bite into the steel wheel and stay on firmly.
November 13, 2011
Q: Are winter wheels hub-centric?
A: No, winter wheels are lug-centric, which means they centre with the lug nuts, not the pilot (or centre) hole of the wheel. A
larger pilot hole in the steel wheel is normal and will not affect the fitment of the wheel nor vehicle safety.
Q: Do I need hub rings with steel wheels?
A: No, the wheels will centre properly when the lug nuts are installed. Hub rings are only used with aftermarket alloy wheels.
Q: What kind of lug nuts should I use on steel wheels?
A: Open-ended conical (acorn) lug nuts are used with steel wheels. German cars (and some Hondas) use conical lug bolts. These
are inexpensive and can be bought along with your steel wheels.
Q: Do I need to install a Tire Pressure Monitoring System?
A: TPMS is standard on all vehicles 2008 and newer. It is optional on aftermarket wheels, including winter rims.
Q: I don’t like the look of black steel wheels. Any other options?
A: We carry a wide selection of hubcaps to cover the wheels and make them more stylish. Alloy wheels (or “mags”) are also
available.
Q: I have chrome wheels. Should I use them in the winter?
A: Chrome wheels do not last in Canadian winters. They will pit and, after several years, the chrome will peal. Steel rims or
painted alloy wheels are recommended.
October 30, 2011
A lot of people think changing out your wheels in winter is enough. But what about your lug nuts?
Factory alloy wheels (i.e. Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, etc.) will come with a lug nut that typically costs $5-8 at the dealership. Those are expensive to replace if they start corroding. Moreover some factory lug nuts (particularly Toyota) are designed specifically to work with their alloy wheels and don’t fit properly with winter wheels.
Aftermarket alloy wheels usually come with chrome lug nuts that can be damaged by road salt and winter weather. Others are “tuner” lug nuts, which are slender and meant to fit in the narrow lug holes of alloy rims.
For an extra twenty bucks, you can get some open acorn lug nuts which are exactly what a steel wheel requires. Most are zinc or nickel, so they hold up very well. It’s what we suggest to our customers- keep your good lug nuts with your summer wheels and use an inexpensive lug nut. In the long run, it’s twenty dollars well spent.
