How Long Can You Drive on a Bent Wheel?
How Long Can You Drive on a Bent Wheel?
Driving on a bent alloy wheel is extremely dangerous—the longer you drive on it, the more damage you risk to your vehicle, yourself, and other drivers.
Driving on a bent alloy wheel creates extremely dangerous driving conditions. Your vehicle will be more difficult to steer, and you possibly crack the wheel. If you suspect you’ve got a bent wheel, it’s safest to pull over and inspect the extent of the damage.
Your heart probably skips a beat every time you hit that sneaky, unexpected pothole in the middle of the road. But, if no lights come on on your dash, you’re probably in the clear…right? Well, if you’ve bent your alloy wheel, the damage could be devastating—and potentially deadly.
How can you tell if a alloy wheel is bent?
First, you’ll want to take a look at the exterior of the alloy wheel. Whip out your phone flashlight and be on the lookout for scratches, dents, or other signs of damage. But, not every bent wheel is visible to the naked eye. The following symptoms also indicate that you may have bent wheel:
A shaky steering wheel
A thumping noise when you accelerate
Decreased vehicle handling
A shaky, vibrating vehicle
Difficulty steering and steering the car
Even though you may not be able to see the dent, you will certainly be able to feel it when you’re driving. Keep your eyes, ears, and other senses peeled!
Can you drive on a bent wheel?
You should never drive on a bent wheel for longer than you have to—drive the minimum distance you need to pull over safely. Then call up a mobile mechanic OR get a tow OR drive slowly and carefully to your nearest tyre store.
The longer you drive with a bent wheel, the greater the risk to yourself and your fellow drivers on the road. A bent wheel causes uneven contact with your tyre to the road. If the tyre is not touching the road evenly, you risk causing an accident.
An unchecked and unfixed bent wheel can cause your wheel to eventually crack.
How much does it cost to fix a bent wheel?
There’s no one answer for how much it will cost to fix a bent wheel: what you end up paying will depend on the extent of the damage.
In more serious cases, the wheel may not be able to be fixed, and the only option you’ll have is to get it replaced. If that’s the case, you’ll probably pay between $200 and $5000 per wheel, just depending on brand of OEM wheel you have.
If it is fixable, you generally should go that route. Fixing a bent wheel costs anywhere between $150 and $350. Keep in mind that the size and material of your wheel also play a part in the cost.
