STORE FAQ's
Is Wheels First are real store, or just a web store?
Wheels first has been in business since 2004 with a combined industry experience of over 60 Years. We service customer world wide, but we also have a fulfillment and installation warehouse in Chandler, Arizona. If you're even in the area, please stop by and we'd love to show you around.
Do you have any shipping restrictions?
We ship anywhere in the United States as well as any country allowed by Fedex International. The only restriction is that we cannot ship a wheel and tire package to an APO address because of the size and weight restrictions through the United States Postal Service. We can however ship wheels, or any wheel accessory to an APO or FPO. Additional shipping charges may apply.
Do you do mounting and balancing in house?
Yes, we perform all mounting and balancing in house with state of the art equipment. We know that it takes the right tools to do the job well, so we only use the best equipment in the industry including touchless tire mounting machines by Hunter as well as Road Force Balancing equipment by Hunter Equipment.
Do you do installations at your store?
Yes, we are a full service shop. All mounting, balancing, and installation of wheels is performed in house.
Do you carry brands not on your website?
Yes, the task of adding new wheels brands to the website, and keeping existing brands up to date is extremely time consuming. We do the best to add new brands as often as we can, but only about 50% of what we carry is currently listed. If you are looking for a wheel not found on our website, give us a call or email.
Do you have a return or cancel policy?
Yes, we have a return and cancel policy. As long as the product has not been installed, you can return it to us within 30 days of delivery. This includes, but is not limited to, unmounted wheels and tires, suspension, and any other parts that are not custom made to your vehicle. The product MUST be in BRAND NEW RESELLABLE CONDITION and MUST be in ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS PACKAGING. For returns, you must first call and get an authorization from us, so that we can document the reason for its return. If you do not get this authorization, we will not know why the wheels have been returned, and many times we will not know who it is returning the wheels. For cancellations, you must first call and verify that the order is not in production if your wheels are custom drilled or shipped. If the product is received by us for mounting and balancing, restocking fees and shipping fees may incur. Restocking fees are determined by the wheel, tire, or suspension brand. Some manufacturers do not charge a restocking fee. Some can charge up to a 25% restocking fee, on single wheel orders our restock fee is 50%. You will be responsible for the return shipping if delivered, and the initial shipping charges incurred are non refundable. If items have shipped, Route shipping protection is non-refundable as that covers a one way trip only. Clearance items are non-refundable and do not come with a warranty as many times the product is being discontinued, and will no longer be available. Wheels that are custom built or semi-custom built are not returnable and cannot be exchanged as they are built specifically for your vehicle. If your wheels are in production and are custom made to your vehicle, they are not able to be cancelled. Any product that has been altered, modified, or customized for the customer or by the customer is sold as is, and cannot be returned or refunded for any reason.
What warranty does the product come with?
All of our non-Sale wheels and tires come with a manufacturers warranty. Clearance items do not come with a warranty as many times the wheel is being discontinued, and will on longer be available. Most wheels come with 1 year warranty on the finish, and lifetime structural warranty against any manufacturers defects. Tire warranties depend on the manufacturer and model of the tire. Please see the manufacturers website for complete warranty information. Some manufacturers deal directly with the consumer in handling warranties, but generally Element Wheels will facilitate warranty exchanges. Please note that defective products will only be replaced with the exact same product, and cannot be substituted for a different item. Element Wheels is not responsible for any costs associated with the exchange of a warranty item such as shipping back and forth, labor charges, time, etc. Any costs associated with the exchange will be the responsibility of the customer. The role of Element Wheels is to only facilitate exchanges, as Element Wheels does not manufacture any wheels or tires.
Do you charge sales tax?
Yes, you will be charged the appropriate sales tax based on the destination state.
Do you have a fitment guarantee?
Wheels First performs many steps to ensure that all orders we ship will fit your described vehicle.
Please be aware that if you are installing aftermarket wheels, and/or changing tire size you are customizing your vehicle; therefore, the products you order from Element Wheels may not fit exactly the same as the factory settings. If the order is approved for our 100% Fitment Guarantee and the product doesn't fit we will offer you a replacement or a full refund, including shipping charges (*some conditions apply).
To qualify for our 100% Fitment Guarantee the following conditions must be met: You must provide your vehicle information. The selected vehicle information must be accurate and complete. It is the customers' responsibility to provide accurate and complete vehicle information. The vehicle must be unmodified and has all original factory settings. Please note, If your vehicle is lowered or lifted you MUST inform us first unless it is specified in the title of the vehicle. You are purchasing a full set of tires, wheels or tires and wheels package. Less than a set (3 or less) may not qualify for our 100% Fitment Guarantee. We will email you to confirm your order.
We guarantee that the products you have purchased will fit your vehicle, meaning the following:
Wheels: Wheels will bolt on and will not interfere on OEM brakes, suspension, or body components. Wheels that require hub centric rings or different wheel nuts/bolts are still considered to be correct fitment.
Tires: Will fall within the approved overall tire diameter, width and load rating.
Wheel and Tire Packages: The package will bolt on and will not interfere on OEM brakes, suspension, or body components. Wheels that require hub centric rings or different wheel nuts/bolts are still considered a correct fitment
When you place an order, you must select your vehicle information from the drop-down menus presented to you in the Select Your Vehicle area. Please note, the description of the vehicle may differ from your markings on the car. Always refer to your user manual for a full description of your vehicle. The failure to choose the correct vehicle may affect the selection of the product that fits your vehicle and your claim for fitment guarantee may be rejected. If you feel that your exact vehicle is not listed please add in the "Order Comments" box more vehicle information at checkout. An Element Wheels expert will use that information provided for verification.
If you choose not to provide your vehicle information, or choose to skip Fitment Check, when placing an order our Fitment Guarantee is not applicable. Once we receive your order our first priority is to check fitment. This is done by our fitment team that employs various methods and manufactures databases to check fitment. We may come to the conclusion that the products you have ordered will not fit your described vehicle. In this case, you will be notified and will be provided with alternative options. If you still feel confident about your original purchase and want to proceed with the order as it, we will ship it to you with a disclaimer stating this is a final sale and no returns or exchanges will be accepted.
Since we don't have your vehicle present to physically check it for fitment we rely on our collective experience and expertise, and consult numerous fitment sources to make approved fitments. Due to mechanical wear and tear of a vehicle, tires and/or wheels may not fit as intended. It is impossible to take these factors into account when verifying fitment. Therefore, on rare occasions when a customer claims the product does not fit we reserve the right to refuse such a claim based on our previous experience with the same vehicle and/ or manufacturers fitment data available to the public. In such cases we will request pictures showing the issues with fitment and will assess the claim on a case by case basis.
Wheel Tech FAQ's
What are custom wheels
Custom aftermarket wheels are specialized rims designed to replace factory-installed wheels on vehicles, offering unique styles, finishes, and sizes tailored to individual preferences. They enhance aesthetics and performance, often crafted from premium materials like alloy or carbon fiber. These wheels allow for personalization and can elevate a vehicle's overall look and handling.
What is backspacing?
The distance from the mounting surface to the back of the wheel. You can find out more about backspacing here.
What is offset/ET?
The distance from the centerline of the wheel to the face of the mounting surface of the wheel that contacts the hub. A simple way to understand offset, is the lower the offset, the more the wheel will stick out, likewise, the higher the offset, the more the wheel will tuck. For example, and Honda Civic generally uses around a +40mm offset. So if you put a +15mm offset wheel on the car, the wheel is likely to stick out about 1 inch. You can find out more about wheel offset here.
What is bolt pattern/PCD?
The Bolt Pattern is the diameter of an imaginary circle that goes through the center of the bolt holes. Examples are 4x100 mm, 5x4.5 in, 6x5.5 in, 8x170 mm
What is centerbore?
The size of the hole in the back of the wheel that centers the wheel properly on the hub of the car. Many aftermarket wheels will be drilled to a larger universal size, and uses hub rings to reduce the size to match the hub on the car for perfect centering. Generally speaking, a perfect hub size match and hub rings can be optional for vehicles that use lug nuts, but are absolutely required for vehicles that use bolts such as BMW, Mercedes, and VW.
What are Staggered Wheels?
Staggered wheels feature different diameters and widths between the front and rear axles of a vehicle. This setup enhances traction, handling, and aesthetics by accommodating larger rear tires for improved grip and stability during acceleration, while maintaining precise steering with narrower front tires. It's a common choice in performance and luxury car setups.
What are Concave Wheels?
Concave wheels have a distinctive design where the rim curves inward towards the center, creating a visually striking and dynamic appearance. This curvature adds depth and dimension to the wheel, enhancing the vehicle's overall aesthetics. Concave wheels are favored for their sleek and aggressive look, often seen in high-performance and luxury car applications.
Should I buy chrome wheels if I live in an area that snows?
Chrome wheels are not recommended to be used in areas that it snows. The salt used to help clear snow off of roads can be highly corrosive to the chrome plating on wheels.
Are black wheels the right look for my car?
Black wheels have dominated in popularity over the last several years. They can make your vehicle look more sporty than those with standard silver wheels.
Cast, Flow formed, Forged, What's the Difference?
Cast wheels are made by pouring molten metal into a mold, forming the wheel's shape. They're cost-effective but heavier and less durable than other types. Flow formed wheels start as cast wheels but undergo additional processing where the barrel is stretched and compressed, enhancing strength and reducing weight. They offer a balance of affordability and performance. Forged wheels are crafted from a solid block of aluminum, subjected to intense heat and pressure. This process results in superior strength-to-weight ratio, making forged wheels lighter and more durable than cast or flow formed ones, albeit at a higher cost.
How to find my wheel size?
You can find out more information here.
How to measure wheel offset?
You can find out more information here.
How to measure an alloy wheel?
You can find out more information here.
What is Ceramic Coating and how is it applied?
Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied to the exterior of a vehicle to protect its paintwork from damage caused by environmental contaminants and UV rays. When applied to custom wheels, the process involves thorough cleaning, followed by the meticulous application of the ceramic coating using specialized applicators. Once applied, the coating bonds chemically with the surface, forming a transparent layer that repels water, dirt, and other pollutants, making the wheels easier to clean and maintain. It enhances gloss and depth of the wheel's finish, while also providing protection against scratches, chips, and oxidation, thereby preserving their appearance for longer periods.
What is PVD Chrome?
PVD, or Physical Vapor Deposition, chrome finish is a process where a thin layer of chromium is applied to the surface of custom wheels using a vacuum chamber. Unlike traditional chrome plating, PVD chrome involves vaporizing solid chromium metal in a vacuum, which bonds to the wheel's surface molecularly. This method produces a durable, corrosion-resistant chrome finish that's environmentally friendly and offers enhanced longevity. PVD chrome finish provides the same lustrous appearance as traditional chrome plating but with added durability and resistance to chips, peeling, and discoloration, making it a popular choice for custom wheels.
Powdercoated VS Painted Wheels. What's the Difference?
Powder coating and painting are two different methods of applying a protective and decorative finish to wheels:
Powder coating involves applying a dry powder to the wheel's surface electrostatically, then curing it under heat. This process creates a durable and uniform finish that resists chips, scratches, and fading better than traditional paint. Powder coating also allows for a wide range of colors and finishes, including matte, satin, and gloss.
Painting, on the other hand, typically involves spraying liquid paint onto the wheel's surface. The paint is then left to dry or cured using heat. While painting offers versatility in color options and customization, it may not be as durable as powder coating and can be more prone to chipping and fading over time, especially in harsh conditions.
In summary, powder coating provides a more durable and long-lasting finish compared to traditional painting, making it a popular choice for custom wheels subjected to frequent use and exposure to the elements.
What is TPMS?
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. It's an electronic system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the tires of a vehicle in real-time. TPMS sensors are installed in each tire, measuring the pressure and transmitting the data to the vehicle's onboard computer. If the pressure drops below or rises above a certain threshold, the system alerts the driver via a dashboard warning light or display, prompting them to check the tire pressure to ensure safe driving conditions. TPMS helps prevent accidents, reduces tire wear, and improves fuel efficiency by maintaining proper tire inflation.