Considering buying new wheels for you car? Confused about bolt patterns, offset and lug sizes? Fear not, our experts at INOVIT have you covered, with a very simple to follow guide.
Wheel Sizes Explained.
The wheels fitted on your vehicle are made to specifically fit your suspension, gearing and bodywork, all which can affect your vehicles performance, and rider comfort. But that doesn’t mean you can’t switch them out for another set. To understand what type of wheels work on your vehicle, we’ll look at wheel size and some basic measurements.
Express Yourself.
There are many reasons you may want to change your wheels. Maybe you want a new set for better performance and handling, you may be going for something with a bit more style to match your car or your own personal taste. Whatever the reason, it’s important to note that getting the wrong wheel setup could cause discomfort while driving, vibration, or some rubbing on suspension components and vehicle body parts that could damage your wheels and vehicle.
How to Read Your Tire.
First start with the wheel size for your vehicle. You will find that on the sidewall of the tyres on your original wheels, as shown below or the inside frame of the driver’s door.
- The number 195 represents the section width of the tire, in millimetres. This is the measurement of the tire at its thickest point.
- The number 65 represents the sidewall aspect ratio. This will help you find out the height of the sidewall, from the rim to tread. This is also called section height. The second number in a tire size indicates the ratio between tire width and height.
- The last number, 18 in our example, represents the diameter, in inches, of the wheel on which the tire is mounted.
INOVIT Tip: It is important to note that you do not measure the whole diameter of a wheel to get the diameter. Wheels have what's called an "actual diameter" and an "overall diameter." The actual diameter is what wheels are named after—a 15" wheel will have an actual diameter of 15" (measured between its bead sets). The wheel's overall diameter (measured from the outside edges of the wheel) will be closer to 16".
- The last number which is the speed rating, is the recommended maximum speed for the tyres and has nothing to do with the actual wheel size.
Correct fitment is vital
This covers the basics on how to find your wheel size, however we still have more ground to cover from understanding lug sizes and offset to knowing your backspace and bolt patterns. Stay tuned and in no time you too will be an expert on wheels.