What Size Rims Fit My Car?

The car tire is not the only one problem that drivers face when thinking about the wheel. The rim also is the subject of the wheel’s damage. It is the thing that most people do not pay attention. So at the end, when something bad happens, everyone wonders what size rims fit my car. Let’s take a look at what size rims are on your car.

What Is Rim In Your Car?

The rim is the “outer edge of a wheel, holding the tire”. It makes up the outer circular design of the wheel on which the inside edge of the tire is mounted on vehicles such as automobiles. Main function of the rim is supporting and sealing the tire to the wheel. The rim ensures proper fitting between tire and rim and retaining the air inside the tubeless tire.

what size rims fit my car
The rim is the “outer edge of a wheel, holding the tire” and It makes up the outer circular design of the wheel on which the inside edge of the tire is mounted on vehicles such as automobiles. Source: urotuning

Each tire manufacturer has a specific rim width range on which the tire can be mounted. Failure to follow rim width recommendations may result in poor tire performance or possible wheel and/or tire failure. That’s why you need to ask what size rims fit my car. Now check it out!

So What Size Rims Fit My Car?

There are few answers for the question of what size rims fit my car. Let’s go from the easiest way.

1. Asking Your Tire Dealer

Buying new tires can be a daunting prospect for many consumers and same as with the rims. For sure, you – reader of this article – wonder sometimes what size rims are on my car. But there is an easy way which for sure you can do is asking the tire dealer. Just tell them what kind your car, they will tell you what size rims you need. 

However, if you want to buy custom or tricked out car rims online. There are other ways to tell you what size rims fit my car.

2. Check The Dimension Of The Wheels

Step 1: Determining your bolt pattern

To answer the question what size rims are on my car, you should follow our instructions and the first step is determining your bolt pattern. To do so, you can count the number of lug nuts. After that, you should measure the distance between opposing lug nuts with your tape measure. You can do it by finding the bolt pattern of the hub. Let’s look at our example. A common VW bolt pattern is 4×100, it means that there are 4 lug holes and the holes are 100mm across from the opposing hole.

what size rims fit my car
You can count the number of lug nuts to determine the bolt pattern. Source: buddysautorepair

Step 2: Identify the stock dimension of your wheels

At this step, you should prepare the tape measure to know what stock dimensions of your wheel are. The wheel dimensions are measured in diameter and width. If you replace wheels which are the same size as stock, the wheels will run without problem. In case you install the larger diameter and wider wheels, it still works but will run into clearance issues soon. 

However, if you are fitting larger diameter wheels you will have to install lower profit tires to keep the outer dimensions of the wheel and tire package the same. So remember that, if you use a wider wheel, you may have to install wider tires.

Step 3: Determine the offset of the original wheels

The next step is identifying what size rims fit my car and checking the offset of the original wheels. A wheel’s offset refers to where a wheel sits in relation to the hub. According to the auto specialist, the offset is determined by where the wheel mounting pad is located in relation to the centerline of the wheel. There are 2 parts you need to know. The negative offset wheel’s mounting pad is on the outside of the centerline and people commonly use it on rear wheel drive vehicles. The second part is positive offset wheel’s mounting pad is towards the inside of the centerline of the wheel and locates the wheel closer to the body. 

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If you use the wrong combination, it will cause the damage to your wheels. The tire may rub on the edge of the wheel openings. Vice versa, if the wheels are located too close to the suspension and brakes, there may be interference between the wheels and the suspension.

3. Look Online For The Vehicle Specifications

This is also an easy method if you feel checking on the wheel is difficult for you. There are some websites where you can find the answer for the questions about what size rims fit my car. Going to these websites, put on the information to get the result. Usually they will ask your car model, some information which you can read from the wheels. It is really simple to do.

Important Specialization Of The Rim

There are some factors that are important for you when you think about changing the rim. And we would like to introduce to you 9 aspects that are critical for your choice of alloy wheels to fit properly.

1. The wheel pitch circle diameter

The pitch circle diameter is the measurement of the bolt holes on your standard wheels/vehicle’s hubs. 

2. The wheel offset

The wheel offset determines how far under or how far out the wheel will sit in relation to the vehicle’s outer arches once bolted to the car. 

3. The front and rear tire size

Each car begins life from the factory with its standard tire size. When upgrading to larger wheels, smaller wheels or wheels of the same size there are a select few tire sizes that can be used. 

4. The wheel diameter

The wheel diameter is basically the size of the wheel itself. 

5. The front and rear wheel width

The wheel width is important. Some wheels are too wide for some cars, some cars need wider rear widths.

6. The Tyre Load Index

The tyre load index relates to the maximum amount of load in kilograms that the tyre can hold. 

7. The Wheel Load Capabilities

Every wheel manufactured is capable of carrying a particular weight load measured in kilograms. If you exceed the load capability then your vehicle insurance could be void and you will be putting extra strain on the wheel – potentially causing it to crack or buckle. It is UK law to ensure that your vehicle axle load is less than or equal to the wheel load capabilities.

what size rims are on my car
If you exceed the load capability then your vehicle insurance could be void and you will be putting extra strain on the wheel. Source: kateonthinice

8. The Centre Bore

The centre bore is the hole drilled in the centre of the back of the wheel. This is usually greater than the diameter of the hub lip it will mount on to. Some wheels are also direct fit and will not require spigot rings.

9. Fitting Kit (Wheel bolts/nuts and spigot rings)

A fitting kit is an important part of the package and where necessary it is free. This includes the correct size spigot rings if needed to give a perfect fit with no vibration, and the relevant nuts or bolts, whichever is required to ensure the wheels are correctly fitted to your car.

Sum Up

As we mentioned above, there are 3 methods which help you in answering the questions about what size rims fit my car. If you are not good enough at reading the information specialization, bring your car to the tire dealer to have exact information about your rims.

Do not forget to check other maintenance tips for better understanding your car problem and know what to do when needed. Comment below your opinion and we will be right back!