Car wheels are available in steel, cast aluminium, flow-formed aluminium, forged aluminium, magnesium and carbon-fibre constructions. Each material and manufacturing process offers a different balance of weight, strength, stiffness, durability, cost and repairability. This guide explains how the principal wheel types are manufactured, their history and which designs are best suited to road, performance and motorsport use.

Tyres are the only components connecting a vehicle to the road, making them critical to acceleration, braking, steering and stability. This guide explains the main types of car tyres, how they are constructed, what their compounds contain and why road, performance, winter, off-road and racing tyres require very different designs.