Customizing a car or truck with aftermarket tyres and wheels is a great way to make it unique. If you’re just starting the search for a new set, it’s helpful to know about wheel offset. With proper offset, your wheel and tyre package will have enough clearance, and nothing will rub against the body, brakes, or suspension. Wheel offset also affects driving safety, as improper offset will inhibit braking and reduce a vehicle’s stability. In this guide, you’ll learn how offset will affect your choice of wheels.
Offset and Backspacing: The Basics
Simply put, offset refers to how a truck or car’s tyres and wheels are mounted into the wheel wells.
- Zero-offset wheels are those with hub mounting surfaces that sit flush with the wheel’s centerline.
- Positive offset happens when the hub mounting surface is forward of the wheel’s centerline. Most wheels on new rear-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles have a positive offset.
- Negative offset is when the mounting surface is behind the centerline. Most deep-dish wheels have a negative offset.
Backspacing is a measurement of the distance required so wheels and tyres can accommodate the wheel width and the offset. When buying Niche wheels, it’s important to consider whether your chosen package is wider than the wheels that came on the vehicle. Perfecting backspacing and offset measurements means that you’ll get a wheel and tyre combo that offers the performance, handling, and appearance you want. Getting those measurements wrong, however, can create significant problems.
Problems Created by Excessive Positive Offset
- Costly damage that happens when the wheel and tyre’s inner edge rubs against the suspension or bodywork
- Interference with and damage to brake components
- An increased risk of tyre failure
- Substandard handling
- Overall instability
The Consequences of Excessive Negative Offset
- Steering wheel kickback
- Increased stress on suspension components
- Decreased handling
Let us help you choose a wheel and tyre package that suits your vehicle’s needs and your driving style.
Things to Keep in Mind
New tyres and Diesel wheels can make an everyday vehicle handle and look much better. However, getting the offset measurement right can be challenging. Even if the wheel and tyre have sufficient clearance, improper offset will decrease the vehicle’s stability. Typically, when choosing new wheels, the offset should be no more than five millimeters greater or lesser than the stock offset.When buying wheels that are significantly wider than the stock units, backspacing must be considered along with the offset. To ensure that the package fits properly, stays within the recommended load capacity, and provides the stability and handling you require, ask a wheel and tyre expert for recommendations. We carry a variety of wheels and tyres for most makes and models, and we’d like to help you find the right set for your car or truck. I hope you enjoyed reading our guide to wheel offset and have a better understanding of it.
