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Wheels and Tyres
Over the past several years, aftermarket wheels have become a staple of exterior styling. With the sheer number of different styles, sizes, and performance levels of wheels and tyres available, the most difficult decision really lies in what's most important to you. The first and most obvious decision you'll need to make when shopping for wheels is the design and finish. There's a plethora of unique patterns and styles available. In addition, manufacturers offer most wheels in several different colors as well as show-quality chrome and polished finishes. It's all a matter of personal preference.
The next and most important step in choosing your wheels is in the specifications. It is crucial to proper operation and performance that the wheels fit your vehicle properly. These specs include the wheel diameter, width, bolt pattern, and offset. The wheel diameter is the size of the rim measured across its centre. Most enthusiasts look for something that's a couple of inches bigger than the factory diameter to help "fill in" the space in the wheel well. The width refers to the distance from the inner lip to the outer lip of the wheel as viewed from the top. Original equipment wheels are typically a bit too narrow to achieve optimal performance results. A slightly wider wheel gives you the ability to install a wider tire, increasing the amount of tread on the pavement and improving traction and cornering performance. The bolt pattern specifies the configuration of lug holes both in total number (4-bolt / 5-bolt / 6-bolt), and the distance between them across the center of the wheel. For instance, a wheel with a 4x100 bolt pattern has 4 lug holes spaced 100mm apart when measured from the center of the wheel. Auto manufacturers use several different arrangements depending the make and model. The offset is the measured distance between the wheels mounting surface on the hub, and the centerline of the wheel. It's responsible for the fitment of the wheel in the wheel well from side to side. It's critical, especially on lowered vehicles, that the offset is correct for the application to keep the tyres from rubbing on the edge of the fenders when the suspension travels downward. The offset is measured in millimeters.
Once you've got your wheels picked out, you've got to select suitable tyres for your vehicle, and there are several things to contemplate. Considering the fact that the only part of the car that actually touches the ground is the tyres, the decision of which ones to go with is an important one. Installing a below-average set of tyres on your new wheels would remove any performance advantage you're getting from the upgrade. The two major areas of concern when choosing a set of tyres is getting the correct size for the wheel, and determining the performance level required.
Tyre sizes are expressed as three numbers separated by slashes, such as 205/40/17. The first number, in this case "205," specifies the tyre's width in millimeters from the widest point of the outer sidewall, to the widest point of its inner sidewall. The second number specifies the tyre's sidewall height (from rim to tread) as a percentage of the tyre's width. In our example, the "40" indicates that this tire's sidewall height is 40% of its width. This second number is often referred to as the tyre's series or profile. Higher numbers mean a taller profile sidewall; lower numbers mean a lower profile sidewall. Low profile tyres (most performance tyres) have a short and wide contact patch that provides very responsive handling, cornering stability, and traction. Finally, the third number, (the "17" in our example) specifies the tyre's inner diameter in inches and needs to match the diameter of the wheel it will be installed on.
