How to make sure wheels and tires fit
## How to Make Sure Wheels and Tires Fit
When it comes to your car, there are a lot of factors that can affect its performance and safety. One of the most important factors is the fit of your wheels and tires. If your wheels and tires are not properly fitted, it can lead to a number of problems, including:
Decreased handling and stability
Increased risk of accidents
Premature tire wear
Damage to your vehicle
To avoid these problems, it is important to make sure that your wheels and tires are the correct size and offset for your vehicle.
### How to Determine the Correct Wheel and Tire Size
The first step in making sure that your wheels and tires fit properly is to determine the correct size. This information can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the door jamb.
The wheel size is typically expressed in inches and includes the width of the wheel (in inches) and the diameter of the wheel (in inches). For example, a wheel with a size of 15×6.5 has a width of 6.5 inches and a diameter of 15 inches.
The tire size is also expressed in inches and includes the width of the tire (in inches), the height of the sidewall (in inches), and the diameter of the tire (in inches). For example, a tire with a size of 205/55R16 has a width of 205 millimeters, a sidewall height of 55% of the width, and a diameter of 16 inches.
### How to Determine the Correct Wheel Offset
Once you have determined the correct wheel and tire size, you need to determine the correct wheel offset. The wheel offset is the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel to the center of the wheel. It is typically expressed in millimeters (mm).
A positive wheel offset means that the mounting surface of the wheel is closer to the center of the wheel than the outer edge of the wheel. A negative wheel offset means that the mounting surface of the wheel is closer to the outer edge of the wheel than the center of the wheel.
The correct wheel offset for your vehicle will depend on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. You can find this information in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the door jamb.
### How to Check the Fit of Your Wheels and Tires
Once you have determined the correct wheel and tire size and offset, you need to check the fit of your wheels and tires. This can be done by following these steps:
1. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel that you want to check.
2. Carefully lift the wheel off of the vehicle.
3. Place the wheel on a flat surface.
4. Measure the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel to the center of the wheel.
5. Compare the measurement to the correct wheel offset for your vehicle.
6. If the measurement is different from the correct wheel offset, you will need to adjust the wheel offset using wheel spacers or adapters.
### How to Adjust the Wheel Offset
If you need to adjust the wheel offset, you can do so using wheel spacers or adapters. Wheel spacers are placed between the wheel and the hub, while wheel adapters replace the wheel hub.
Wheel spacers and adapters are available in a variety of thicknesses, so you can choose the correct thickness to achieve the desired wheel offset.
### Conclusion
Making sure that your wheels and tires fit properly is important for the safety and performance of your vehicle. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can make sure that your wheels and tires are the correct size and offset for your vehicle.
