The Complete Wheel Fitment Guide You'll Ever Need

If you want to enhance your vehicle's performance, one component often replaced is the wheels. Stock wheels may be fine for some, but after-market models will often offer better driving capabilities.

Unfortunately, figuring out what new after-market wheels you can safely install on your car isn't as easy as it seems. There are a few measurements and specs you'll need to ensure for a proper fit.

Continue reading to learn more about what those essential items are.

Bolt Pattern

The bolt pattern is comprised of two numbers. The first number is the most obvious one: it tells you how many bolts are in the pattern. The second number refers to how far apart the bolts are spaced.

The bolts are essential because they hold the wheel on. If a wheel doesn't have the correct bolt pattern, it won't fit the car.

Center Bore

The center bore is in the middle of the bolts. It's generally (but not always) larger than the other bolts on the wheel.

Newer vehicles have hub-centric wheels, which means there are extended rings on them, and these rings interface with the wheel.

If you're looking at wheels with a too-small center bore, it isn't going to work. If you're looking at wheels with a too-large center bore, you can fit them on with a cheap set of ring adapters.

Diameter

The diameter is the measurement around the wheel. You want to stick close to the wheel's original diameter size. Having a wheel with a diameter too far off the original size can cause issues with essential parts, such as brake calipers.

Width and Offset

Wider wheels allow you to have greater handling and stability when driving your vehicle. To ensure your new wheels fit properly, you need to know both the internal width of the fenders and the offset.

There are three types of offset:

Positive offset - This means the wheel's hub-mounting surface is located nearer the outboard side.

Negative offset - This means the wheel's hub-mounting surface is located nearer the inboard side.

Zero offset - This means the hub-mounting surface is aligned precisely with the centerline.

General Clearance

In some cases, you'll need to take more clearance measurements. Examples include disc brakes or drum brakes. In all circumstances, however, it's essential to know the general clearance of the wheels.

You can figure out your vehicle's general clearance by measuring from the face of the wheel mounting hub to the first thing you hit internally. Depending on your vehicle, the first thing hit will either be a component of your suspension or a piece of sheet metal.

Do You Have More Questions About Our Wheel Fitment Guide?

The items detailed above are vital in ensuring a proper wheel fit. Once you have these specifications, you can use them to determine whether a new wheel will fit in the place of your old one.

Do you have more questions about our wheel fitment guide?

Contact us today. One of our associates will be happy to answer any questions you have.