At Livingston Tire Co., we stock a wide selection of wheels for customers in Livingston, NJ, West Orange, NJ, Short Hills, NJ, and surrounding areas. We also offer OEM wheel refinishing and repair.

Before you start shopping for a new set of wheels, use our wheel buying guide below, and consider the advantages and disadvantages of different wheel materials in order to find the best wheel to suit your needs. If you have any questions during your research, simply contact us online.

Livingston Tire Co.’s Wheel Buying Guide

• Alloy Wheels are light wheels with improved performance characteristics. These light wheels increase cornering and steering precision, and decrease road feedback for better braking response.
• Steel Wheels are heavier wheels that provide vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Steel wheels are perfect for harsh road conditions in the snow or off-road over rugged terrain, but lack other performance capabilities because of the added weight.
• Chrome is an aesthetically pleasing finish applied to both alloy and steel wheels. Chrome wheels are sought by drivers concerned with cosmetic appearance. While chrome wheels are known for their metallic mirrored shine, durability, and strength, they require regular attention and cleaning to maintain their visual appeal.

Wheels & Rims: The Manufacturing Process

• Cast Wheels: Aluminum wheels are manufactured through a process of pouring molten aluminum into a mold. The shape of the wheel is formed through a process of gravity or pressure casting.
• Machined Wheels: The machining process combines casting, heating, spinning, and precise pressurization to fill a mold with molten aluminum and shape the wheel.
• Forged Wheels: The forging process takes a solid piece of aluminum and molds the wheel through high heat and extreme pressure. The result is a light, dense, and strong wheel.

The right set of wheels depends on vehicle characteristics and desired ride quality. When choosing wheels for your car, truck, or SUV, consider the following:

• Size: Various wheel sizes and weights hold different performance characteristics. If you plan on upgrading your current wheel size, be sure to consider the maximum wheel size allowance on your vehicle.
• Weight: Wheel weight impacts vehicle performance. Heavier wheels increase braking distance and reduce handling, while lighter wheels will improve maneuverability and braking performance.
• Terrain: Where do you drive most often? Wheels should be selected based on their primary function.

If you'd rather fix the wheels you already have, we can assist. Let our technicians tell you about our OEM wheel refinishing and reconditioning services today.

The cosmetic appearance of your alloy or chrome wheels can be difficult to maintain. Wheels are consistently exposed to harmful road elements like tar, dirt, salt, and stones. Minor impacts like curb damage and potholes can have adverse effects on the appearance and performance of your wheels. At Tire & Wheel Depot, our wheel and rim repair and straightening services for customers in Ridgewood, NY, Queens, NY, Brooklyn, NY, and surrounding areas are guaranteed to return your wheels and rims to like-new conditions.

Know When It’s Time for Wheel Repair

• Is there rust or dirt build-up on the bead seat of the wheel or rim?
• Can you see rust on the inside or outside of the bolt hole of the wheel?
• Is there rust or dirt on the visible surface of the wheel?
• Are your wheels bent or damaged?

Wheel Repair in Livingston, NJ

Worried about cost? Wheel repair is generally 40% cheaper than buying new wheels, which makes wheel repair the perfect cost-saving option for drivers who take pride in maintaining the appearance of their vehicle.

Build-up of rust and debris are reasons to seek wheel and rim repair and conditioning services. Sometimes you may not even be aware of the cracks and defects below the dirt and rust. Allow one of our wheel repair professionals to blast the wheel for a closer examination of the damage incurred during travel to better understand the necessary wheel and rim repairs.

We pride ourselves on returning like-new appearance and performance during each and every wheel repair service. Contact us to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our wheel repair process.

Every customer’s criteria for buying wheels is different, so we urge you to contact us with your questions or concerns. Our service staff is comprised of wheel and rim experts who remain on the cutting edge of wheel style, configuration, and performance.

For the best wheel buying and reconditioning experience around, contact us today. Call us now at (973) 533-0101 to get started.