Kia Sonet Alloy Wheels by Variant

Factory Kia Sonet alloy wheels by variant

Variant guides differ on whether the HTK family's dual tone wheel is a true alloy or a styled steel wheel. A quick check is a fridge magnet: it sticks to steel and not to aluminium alloy.

Crystal cut finish, and why it needs care

A crystal cut or diamond cut wheel has its face machined on a lathe to bare metal, then coated with clear lacquer. That gives the bright two tone look. Once that lacquer is chipped, damp gets under it and the polished metal clouds over in a milky haze, usually worst after the rains. Repairs need a specialist lathe; a body shop paint job will not match. The re-cutting process is described under diamond cut alloy wheels.

Fitting alloys to the base HTE

Since the maker fits 16 inch wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres on higher variants of this car, that is the sensible upgrade for an HTE. Buying the genuine wheels from a dealer is the cleanest route. Aftermarket rims need four things to line up with the original Sonet wheel:

• PCD, meaning the diameter of the circle through the stud holes. It is often stamped on the inside of the wheel; you can also measure it with the PCD calculator.
• Centre bore, so the wheel sits on the hub, not just on the nuts.
• Offset, which decides how far in or out the rim sits; wrong offset makes the tyre scrub the arch liner or strut at full lock.
• Load rating of both wheel and tyre.

Hold the wheel and tyre height inside roughly 3 percent of stock so speed and odometer readings stay believable.

Bigger than 16 inch: think twice

Seventeen inch rims look good, but the Sonet does not use them from the factory in India. Lower profile tyres pass more shock into the suspension on broken roads, and the rim edge is closer to the pothole. Insurers may ask questions after a claim, and the dealer can refuse warranty on related suspension parts. If you still go ahead, keep the overall diameter close to the 664 mm of the 215/60 R16.

Cleaning Kia Sonet alloys at home

Brake dust sticks to the front wheels in city traffic. Rinse the wheels with plain water first to lift grit, then work a pH neutral cleaner around the spokes with a soft long bristle brush. Skip acid wheel cleaners at roadside washing points, as they strip the lacquer off machined metal. Dry the wheel with a microfibre cloth so tap water spots do not etch the finish.

Kerb rash and bent rims

Scrapes on the rim edge are common in tight parking. Light scratches can be refinished. If the rim visibly wobbles when spun, or the steering starts to tremble around 80 km/h after you hit a pothole, suspect a bend. Have it checked on a balancing machine.

Locking nuts and theft

Alloy wheels attract thieves in open parking. A set of locking wheel nuts with a coded key adds protection. Store that key with the jack and tool kit, because a puncture shop cannot remove the wheel without it.

Tyres and other parts for the same car

Wheel and rubber go together, so pair this with our Sonet sizes by trim and the cold inflation chart under Sonet tyre pressure. Broader reading sits in the alloy wheels section plus 16 inch alloy wheels, or compare with Venue alloy wheels.