How to Choose Wheels That Fit Your Car: Size, Bolt Pattern and Offset

A wheel's look is the first thing you notice, but it should be the last thing you decide on. Before you choose a design, make sure of four numbers; all of them are in your owner's manual, or a technician can read them from your VIN. The first is size: the diameter in inches and the width. A larger wheel needs a lower-profile tyre to keep the overall diameter the same, which means steadier handling but a firmer ride over bumps. The second is the bolt pattern, such as 5x114.3: the number of bolts and the diameter they sit on, in millimetres. There is no rounding here; a wheel that does not match it does not fit. The third is the centre bore, the hole in the middle of the wheel. If it is wider than your car's hub, you will need hub-centric rings to fill the gap, or you may feel the steering shake at speed. The fourth is offset, written ET and a number. It is the distance between the wheel's centre line and its mounting face, and it decides whether the wheel sits out towards the arch or in towards the suspension. The wrong offset can make the tyre rub on the arch or the brakes. Once you know these numbers, pick the design and colour freely. If you are not sure, send us your car's model and year before you order, and we will confirm the right size.