Viral video draws attention to Houston's car culture

A video of a car with massive studded rims on all four wheels driving on a Texas highway is going viral on social media.

TikTok user “lisamariesanders” captured the unforgettable car on I-45 South in Houston on November 23rd.

“Could someone please explain this to me???” The lyrics in the video read as WAR’s “Low Rider” plays in the background.

“Would someone ask to explain it to me like that?” Lisa wrote in the post’s caption. “I really don’t understand. This should be illegal.”

Most users who commented on the video were equally taken aback and questioned the purpose and logic of such episodes.

“It’s stupid, I can’t wait to see someone get ripped off,” one user wrote.

“You get a ticket if your tire is out of the fender. And not for that???” another user commented.

“I want to hear what he says to the judge,” one comment said.

Some users who watched the video expressed concerns about the potential dangers of the spiked rims, which could cause damage to other vehicles. The footage also showed the car weaving through traffic without indicators, adding to onlookers’ concerns.

Others pointed out the strangeness of such accessories on what they believed to be a much cheaper car, with some speculating that the studded rims cost more than the vehicle itself. Another group identified the rims as “Swangas”, sometimes called “Swingaz”. Term describing the large studded rims inspired by Cadillacs of the early 1980s.

What are “Swangaz”? A look into Houston’s car culture

As mentioned in classic Houston rap, the giant car rims actually have their origins in Houston’s unique car culture. But before we talk about “Swangaz”, we must first understand the “Slab” culture.

“Slab” stands for “slow, low and bangin’” and describes the look of cars that became popular in Houston in the 1980s. ABC Houston reports that local rappers like Bun B, Chamillionaire, Z-Ro, Mike Jones, Slim Thug and Paul Wall were instrumental in driving the trend toward cars with high-slung bodies and bright, shiny paint. Many also feature a chrome grille, fifth wheel and rear pop trunk, as well as a flying goddess ornament on the front hood.

Slabs differ from low riders, with the former sitting higher above the tire while the latter have more traditional features like smaller rims and white walls, sources told ABC Houston.

Slabs are also to be distinguished from donks, a term used for cars with oversized tires. Chron also defines “poke,” which refers to how far a car’s swangas stick out, and “swangin’,” a verb that describes how a car can glide conspicuously, that is, “slowly zigzag across all lanes of a road.” “.

Are studded car rims legal?

Although they seem intrusive for no reason, these swangas are completely legal in the Lone Star State. Section 621.201 of the Texas Transportation Code states, “The overall width of a passenger vehicle and its cargo shall not exceed eight feet.” As long as the overall width of the vehicle and its rims do not exceed this limit, studded rims are perfectly acceptable.

According to Rideout Law Group, Hawaii is currently the only U.S. state with restrictions on studded rims.

The vehicle in the viral video did technically breaking the law, but not with his studded rims. Section 545.106 of the Texas Transportation Code requires the use of a turn signal to indicate turning directions, lane changes, and exiting a parking position.

Viral video draws attention to Houston’s car culture

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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