Wheels are vital components of almost any vehicle and they are staples without which no car can actually move and run. Proper wheel fittings are very important in this regard for saving you from future hassles and problems. Having knowledge of car wheel sizes is very essential and this will help you buy the right tires and rims for your beloved car. There are particular types of tires and rims that can actually be value additions to your car and can also serve to convey your own style statement. You can get loads of information relating to wheel sizes on various forums and platforms. Alongside, you should also endeavor to get an idea of multiple measurements and other specifications for rims, tires and wheels.

Alongside, make sure that changing your wheels does not serve to cancel out any car warranty of sorts. Wheels were first made use of right in the Paleolithic age and logs were used to move heavy items around. The automotive wheel first came into existence in the 1800s. Pioneers like Karl Benz made use of wire wheel tires for vehicles and hard rubber fittings for wheels. The legendary Michelin brothers were among the first users of rubber wheels for vehicles. The Model T cars from Ford made use of the artillery wheels which were then substituted by welded spoke and steel wheels around the 1920’s. These tires did not actually last long and ran for only about two thousand miles which proved to be a problem of sorts. However, contemporary car wheels are top notch and are more reliable and sturdy than before.

You should first know how to tell the differences between tires, wheels and rims if you have to zero in on the right wheel size for your car. The entire assembly is denoted by the term wheel while rims help the tire to be mounted onto the wheel. The rubber ring is the tire that touches the road surface. This is essential to know as many car dealers and other outlets often refer to rims as wheels, thereby confusing many customers. Take a look at the printed numbers on the sidewall of any car tire you choose. This might help you zero in on the right tire size. Alongside, do not think of using a conventional measuring tape for tire measurements. This will not be accurate by all means and will only lead you towards making the wrong choices.

Go by the numbers present on the sidewall as mentioned above. This is one code that holds the relevant information you need while choosing your wheel size. You should instead focus on interpreting these numbers and letters. Tire size labels were a regular affair right from the 1970’s onwards. If your car is older or a classic car, you should consult a car wheel and parts dealer, store expert, industry professional or mechanic immediately. In the entire numeration, the P-metric size is denoted by the letter P. These wheels are mostly used for SUV’s, small trucks, minivans, MPV’s and other cars. This letter also denotes service type as it helps you learn about the proper vehicle for this tire type.

There are three digits that come after the service type indicator and the wheel section width is indicated in millimeters. This measured between the innermost and outermost parts of the rim right across the barrel and you can convert this into inches by using twenty five as a divider. The rim size when measured between upper and lower wheel beads is the diameter and this is also found on the tire sidewall. These measurements are very handy when you are looking for tires and rims and they will help you get the best fit for your car. Diameter measurements are done in inches and sometimes millimeters and half inches are used as measurement standards which is rare though. The distance right between the rim centerline and the hub mounting surface is considered as the offset. Zero offset indicates the evenness of the mounting surface with the wheel centerline. Positive offsets indicate the presence of the hub mounting surface nearer to the wheel street side while negative offsets translate into the presence of the hub mounting surface nearer to the wheel interiors.

The bolt patterns of wheels are also important. Lug nuts are used in most cases to bolt wheels onto a car. The patterns for this are configured by making use of four, six or even eight lug holes. The diameter of the lug nut circle is known as the bolt pattern and this can be measured in millimeters. Bolt pattern gauges are mostly used for accurate measurements of this pattern and this information is sometimes available online. Accurate measurements of bolt patterns will help you buy the correct rims and ensure the right fit for your car. If you are only buying tires, you need not look this up as bolt pattern measurements have no bearing or influence on tire fittings. You can easily snap up tires and rims online or at listed dealerships, stores and other outlets. However, as mentioned, you should be careful not to damage any warranty that already exists on your car. Always be clear about the wheel information of your car and purchase accordingly.

Remember that even a small mistake can cost you a lot in the long run. Always have an accurate idea of the ideal wheel measurements for your car along with other basics like the bolt pattern, diameter, offset and width among others. Service type knowledge also comes in handy at times even though it is not regarded as a particular measurement of sorts. The information present on the sidewall of any car tire serves as a handy guide once you learn to decipher the same. However, there are other ways out as well and you can search for wheel information courtesy stores, dealerships and mechanics. All you need to do is supply some essential information like the make, year and model of your car.