How do I know what rims can fit my car?
Choosing the right rims for your car can be a daunting task, but it's essential to ensure a proper fit and maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle. The key is to understand the specific wheel and tire requirements for your car model. By following a few simple steps, you can easily determine what rims will work best for your ride.
Identify Your Car's Wheel and Tire Specifications
The first step is to locate the information about your car's factory-installed wheels and tires. This can typically be found in your owner's manual or on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb. Look for details such as:
- Wheel size (diameter and width)
- Bolt pattern (the number and spacing of the lug holes)
- Offset (the distance from the mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel)
- Tire size (width, aspect ratio, and diameter)
With this information, you can start researching compatible aftermarket rims that will fit your car properly.
Measure Your Existing Wheels
If you don't have access to the factory specifications, you can measure your existing wheels to get the necessary details. Use a tape measure or caliper to determine the wheel diameter, width, and offset. You can also count the number of lug holes to identify the bolt pattern.
Research Aftermarket Rim Options
Once you have the key measurements, you can begin searching for aftermarket rims that match your car's requirements. Look for online rim fitment guides or consult with a reputable tire and wheel retailer. They can help you find the right rims that will fit your vehicle without causing any clearance issues or affecting the handling and safety.
Consider Additional Factors
When selecting new rims, also consider the following factors:
- Desired style and finish
- Weight of the rims (lighter rims can improve acceleration and fuel efficiency)
- Compatibility with your car's braking system
- Any local regulations or restrictions on wheel and tire modifications
By taking the time to properly identify your car's wheel and tire specifications, you can ensure a perfect fit and enhance the overall appearance and performance of your vehicle.
Can you put any size rims on any car?
You cannot simply go out and put on a larger wheel and tire and expect your car to be the same. Your car is designed to roll on a specific wheel and tire size. Changes to either may start a cascade of handling and mechanical issues if you don't plan carefully.
Which rims will fit my tires?
How to make sure that rims will work with tires? Width and diameter are the two factors that determine tire and rim compatibility. For diameter you'll need to be sure that your tires and wheels are an exact match, e.g. a 215/65R17 tire will only fit on a 17" diameter wheel.
How to match rims to tires?
How to Match Your Tires to the Right Rim Size
- Step 1: Place the rim up-right, like it was mounted to a vehicle.
- Step 2: Going from inside of one bead (lip of the rim) to the inside of the other, measure the width of the rim.
- Step 3: Multiply width (in inches) by 25.4 (total mm per inch).
- Step 5: Call a professional.
Can I put 18 rims instead of 15?
In most cases, the answer is yes. No one can deny the aesthetic appeal of having larger tires and wheels on your car, light truck or SUV. Adding a larger tire and wheel combination to your vehicle is referred to as “plus sizing” such as a “plus one” or “plus two” fitment.
How do I know what size rim to get for my car?
The rim size is denoted by the last number in the tire size code. It represents the diameter of the rim in inches. For example, in the code P215/65R15, the rim size is 15 inches. In the code 225/50ZR17, the rim size is 17 inches.
Do all 16 inch rims fit all cars?
The answer to Can I put 16 car wheels on is dependent on the car you have. If your vehicle came from the factory with a 17 inch wheel or larger you may not be able to run 16 inch wheels.
Will any 5 lug rim fit my car?
Only if it's from the same manufacturer and on the same body type. Every manufacturer uses their own size bolt pattern.
How to know if rims are universal?
No, there is no such thing as a universal wheel. Numerous factors come into play when deciding what wheels can go on your vehicle. Two of the most critical factors are the wheel's diameter and width. Every car will have a range of wheel diameter sizes of several inches that will securely and adequately fit.
How do I tell if rims will fit my car?
Put simply, to find if your wheels will fit your car, measure the distance from your wheel's center point to where it is mounted. This is the offset. Add that to half your wheel's width to find the back space and subtract it to find the front space. Compare this to your wheel well to see if it fits.
Can I put a 20 inch tire on a 19 inch rim?
Yes, it is possible to up- or downsize rims.
