Wheel offset is an important aspect that can't be overlooked in the wheel fitment. It influences vehicle performance, handling, and safety. Understanding wheel offset is crucial when upgrading tires or just understanding how the wheels and tires work together. This section delves into all that wheel offset means including how to measure it, and why it matters for your vehicle's performance.
What is Wheel Offset?
Wheel offset refers to the distance between the wheel's hub-mounting surface where it attaches to the vehicle and the wheel centerline. In other words, wheel offset determines how your vehicle wheels and tires are mounted and sit in the wheel wells. The wheel offset influences tire clearance and overall handling.
Types of Wheel Offset
Wheel offsets come into three main categories: positive offset (in which the hub-mounting surface is closer to the wheel's face), negative offset (in which the hub-mounting surface is closer to the back of the wheel), and zero offset (in which the hub-mounting surface sits exactly at the wheel's centerline).
The positive wheel offset is typically common in FWD and AWD vehicles. The negative offset is mostly seen in some sports and off-road vehicles. The zero-wheel offset is rarely met and is usually featured in some performance cars or custom variations.
Types of Wheel Offset: positive, negative, zero offsets, and their common applications
Positive Wheel Offset
A positive wheel offset means that the hub-mounting surface sits closer to the face or the front of the wheel. The positive offset is the most common of the 3 types (positive, negative, zero) for modern AWD and FWD cars. This offset helps to ensure that the wheel sits properly within the vehicle wheel well. The greater the positive wheel offset, the further the wheel sits inward (closer to the vehicle).
Negative Wheel Offset
A negative wheel offset means that the hub-mounting surface sits closer to the back of the wheel. The negative offset is typical for off-road trucks, specific sports cars, or older vehicles. The vehicle stance is more aggressive and the track is wider with negative wheel offset as it pushes the wheels further out from the vehicle.
Zero Wheel Offset
A zero offset means that the hub-mounting surface aligns perfectly with the wheel centerline. The wheel zero offset makes the wheel sit exactly in the same line as the vehicle hub. While it's a rarer type, the zero offset can still be applicable in some custom builds and performance cars.
How to Measure Wheel Offset
To measure the wheel offset, you need to find the wheel width, calculate the centerline, measure the distance from the hub-mounting surface to the back wheel edge, and calculate the offset by subtracting the centerline measurement from the hub-mounting surface distance.
To measure the wheel width, first remove the wheel from the vehicle and use a measuring tape (or caliper) to find the distance from the outer lip to the other. Further on, divide the total wheel width by two to calculate the centerline. Then find the hub-mounting surface and measure the distance between the surface (the flat part where the wheel attaches to the hub) to the back edge of the wheel (inner lip). To calculate the offset, make the subtraction between the centerline measurement and the hub-mounting surface distance.
Example of a wheel offset measurement
As a general guideline, the offset is positive if the measurement shows the hub-mounting surface is in front of the centerline. If the hub-mounting surface is behind the centerline, it is a negative offset. The offset is typically zero if it is exactly at the centerline. Some manufacturers may indicate the offset on the back of the wheel, so you may not need to measure it manually.
Too Much Positive Offset and Too Much Negative Offset: Issues
The effects of extreme offsets (e.g., +60 mm or higher; -40 mm or lower) in either direction are critically detrimental to the vehicle and driver's safety. These include interference with brake calipers, inner wheel well, or suspension arms, excessive strain on wheel bearings, poor handling, fender rubbing, steering instability, and/or uneven tire wear. Consult a professional whenever uncertain about wheel offsets to avoid improper offset selection.
Get the Perfect Wheel Fit with NeoTires
Understanding wheel offset is essential for making the right tire choice to ensure handling, performance, and safety. Whether you need a custom setup or factory specs, the right offset makes the difference. Need tires that just fit right with your offset? NeoTires has you covered! Browse our catalog or reach out for expert guidance!
