What Wheels From Other Vehicles Will Fit Yours?

Did you know that many drivers end up in fatal car accidents due to wheel separation? Wheels largely influence the look and feel of your car and determine your safety behind the wheel.

So, it’s normal and even encouraged to consider a wheel upgrade from time to time. However, before you buy new wheels and put them on a car wheel balancer, you must know what type of rims to pick to avoid misalignments and detachments.

Read on to unveil the answer to the age-old question of what wheels will fit your car.

The Deciding Factors

Switching your car wheels may sound easy, but it’s actually a task that requires knowledge and precision.

For starters, you must find a wheel that suits your vehicle – it should be nothing less than a perfect fit.

During your quest for a new wheel, pay attention to four key criteria:

• Tire size
• Bolt pattern
• Offset
• Rim

The wheel you choose should satisfy all of them. If not, you might have trouble with the anti-lock brakes, suspension angles, and more. Scroll down to learn about each factor in-depth.

The Right Rims

A common question auto shop owners might get from car owners who decide to change their wheels is about proper fitting rims. Rims are an essential component of every wheel. They are the key to finding your perfect replacement.

Luckily, many rims are compatible with each other. You can find the rim size of your model online or on your sticker plate. Then, start looking for rims of the same size.

Tire Size

The second thing to pay attention to is tire diameter and width. Your new tires should have the same diameter and width as your old ones. You can find information about your tire size on the sticker plate or online.

In addition, the tire size should fit your new wheels. For example, if you purchase wheels a little larger than your previous ones, the tires must be on the thinner side. This way, the new wheel plus tire size combo will match the old one.

Bolt Pattern

You might know this term as a “lug pattern.” It measures the size of an imaginary circle – that which the lug holes create at the center.

The measurement has two numbers – the first stands for the number of bolt holes, while the second stands for the imaginary circle’s diameter. For example, a wheel with a 4x100 mm bolt pattern has four lug holes forming a 100mm-diameter circle.

Offset

Wheel offset is the distance between the wheel centerline and the hub mounting surface. This is the most important factor to consider when choosing wheel replacement.

Once you start looking at wheel offsets, you will encounter three possibilities – zero, positive, and negative offset. The first means there is alignment between the hub’s mounting surface and the wheel centerline. The second means that the hub mounting surface is placed outwardly, while the third means that it faces the rear end centerline or the brake.

Choose JMC Automotive Equipment for any Wheel-Related Dilemma

With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, our team at JMC offers help to both auto repair shops and car owners. We take pride in our extensive collection, from car lifters and wheel balancers to paint booths and vehicle performance additives. You can only find high-quality tools and equipment at our shop suitable for various car needs.

Call us at 800-562-4791, and we promise to prolong your vehicle’s lifespan to the max!