How to Pick the Best Rims for Your Car

Posted May 13, 2021

What’s a car without wheels? No matter how pretty it’s packaged, it’s nothing more than a pile of metal, plastic, and electronic components. Wheels are the defining characteristic of a car; they’re what makes a car roll so that it can get you wherever you’re going. In other words, if your car doesn’t have wheels, it isn’t going to get you very far; in fact, it isn’t going to get you anywhere!

A car’s wheels are comprised of several different components, and the rims are one of the most important. The rims are the outer circular diameter or the circumference of the wheel where the rubber padding (the tire) is molded into. A rim is a vital part of a wheel because without it, the proper fitting between the wheel and the tire would not be possible. Rims not only play a part in the stability of a vehicle, but also impact the overall look of the wheels.

Because rims are so important, you want to make sure that you choose the right ones. Whether the existing rims on your car were damaged, you want to change the size of your wheels, or you want to improve the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle, if you’re shopping for new rims for your car, here are some tips that you can use to help you choose the right rims for your wheels.

The Diameter

The size of the rims, as well as the size of the tires, is crucial, for the car’s braking and suspension system, as well as the vehicle’s body. It also determines the number of lug holes and the spacing between them.

Offset and Backspace

Offset refers to the distance between the surface of the hub-bearing and the centerline of a rim. A negative offset is when the face mounting hub sits behind the centerline, kind of inside the barrel. A positive offset refers o the face of the mounting hub sitting near the edge of the vehicle. Offset not only impacts the appearance of the wheel, but it has a big impact on the manner in which the suspension reacts to the movements of the wheel.

Bolt Patterns

The bolt patterns on the rims and your wheels have to be a precise match in order to properly fit your car. To determine accuracy, utilize a chart or template that indicates the make, year, and class of your vehicle.

Mounting

You also want to make sure that you choose the right mounting. Most rims are hub-centric, meaning that they fit exactly around the hub. If you choose a mounting that doesn’t fit the wheel, you’ll feel imbalance and vibration when you’re driving.

Categories: Auto Repairs