My car is a 2008 Volvo S40, automatic. Do I have aluminum, alloy, or steel wheels? I haven't changed them so they are the same ones that come on the car...what would that be? And is aluminum the same thing as alloy?

I ask because I took my car to get an oil change and the mechanic said I have a bend in my right back tire. I called a tire store and they said they could bend it back if it's steel but if it's aluminum, it would have to go someplace else more specialized. But also why didn't they mention if it was alloy? They only said "if it's steel or if it's aluminum"?

But I also don't know how bad the bend is.

The wheels look similar to this picture I found online:
http://images.dsscars.com/dealerpics...9131344082.jpg

 

what size are they? They look like the 17 inch Serapis alloy wheels... Google "vovlo serapis" to see if that matches up close. There are shops that do repair alloys - check out Wheel Collision Center Bath PA- Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum Alloy Wheel Rim Sales & Alloy Wheel Rim Straightening Repair Refinishing & Recycling! - www.oemfactoryrimwheel.com Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum A as an example

 

No idea what size they are...sorry I'm not smart with cars and don't know anything...what is standard for the 2008 Volvo S40? 17 inch?

I stuck a magnet on them and the magnet didn't stick. So does that mean they are aluminum or alloy? Or are those two things the same? Or are they different?

 

The wheels look more like this one and not the first one I posted:

http://2-photos7.motorcar.com/used-2...388-9-1024.jpg

 

To answer your question, the wheels are aluminum, technically. ‘Alloy’ is a term used for wheels which are an amalgam of aluminum and other materials (magnesium, etc.), which your wheels are. The terms ‘aluminum’ and ‘alloy’ are used interchangeably nowadays. Steel wheels are more like the black ones that come on cars that have wheel covers, and spares. Most standalone wheels today are of the alloy variety. Hope this helps.

 

the wheel size ie 16, 17, 18 is shown via the tire size. As noted almost all wheels these days are alloys - steel is usually reserved for winter wheels or budget cars (ie not a Volvo). the deal is, you can either have a wheel repair shop fix the wheel or you can buy a replacement. To buy a replacement, the best thing to do is to find the part number stamped on the rim or drive by a dealer and have them identify the rim for you. The second picture looks like the 16 inch "Cursa" rim.

 

There will be a part number cast into the wheel on the inner face. My 2005 S40 has 16" Borbet wheels. The tire size will be cast into the sidewall of the tire. 205/55R16 with the 16 indicating the tire size in inches. The 205/55 is width vs height ratio. R is a radial tire although I haven't seen bias ply tires in many years.