Everything about Volkswagen cars


Alloy Wheels Offset, PCD, Plus-Sizing and Up-Stepping

Offset means what?Offset is normallyReducing the profile of your tires will
stamped or engraved into the wheel andalso decrease your car's damping
is measured in millimeters of ET: ET isdeflection under compression the ride
the short form of the German wordquality will get worse. Other
Einpresstiefe which translates asdisadvantages can include the need for
insertion depth.Offset is the distancemore expensive tires, your brakes
between the hub mounting face at thelooking undersized and people's grannies
back of the wheel and the wheel'slaughing and calling your car a
centerline.Negative Offset wheels havebuggy.You got the Alloy Wheels and then
their mounting face toward the rear ofwhat?Before you do anything, ensure to
the wheel - powerful rear-wheel drivesee that you have the right sort of
cars often have wheels with negativebolts - Bolts and studs have various
offset.Zero Offset wheels have theirdiameters, threads and settings, your
mounting face even with the centerlinewheel supplier should be able to advice
of the wheel and are by definitionon this. Also check to see that you the
ET0.Positive Offset wheels have their4 plastic spigot rings which help the
mounting face toward the front face ofinterface between the wheel and the
the wheel. Front wheel drive vehicleshub.Next you need to jack your car up;
usually have positive ET wheels.do this in a secure way, and be sure to
Eighties & Nineties Volkswagen wheelsuse axle stands, chock wheels still in
are generally ET38.PCD means what?PCDcontact with the ground and apply the
stands for pitch circle diameter and isparking brake. Offer a wheel up to the
the diameter of a circle drawn throughcar and check that the bolt holes line
the centre of your wheel's bolt holes.up, that the wheel locates on the hub
P.C.D. is measured in millimeters andproperly and that there is wheel arch,
also indicate the number of studs orsuspension strut and brake caliper
bolts the wheel will have. Volkswagenclearance. If you have upgraded your
Alloy Wheels are usually either 4x100:brakes be SURE to seek advice and
i.e. 4 bolt holes drilled through themeasure everything thoroughly before you
centre of an imaginary 100mm circle, ororder.The wheel bolts or nuts must be
5x100: for VR6s, GTis and MK4s.Centertightened to the manufacturer's precise
bore means what?The center bore of antorque. Be sure to re-torque after a 100
alloy wheel is the size of the hole atmiles or so as they will compress
the back of the wheel which the hub fitsslightly; tighten them increasingly till
into. To help the wheels to seatthey're 3/4 tight then lower the car and
properly this hole needs to be an exactcomplete the process.Take care of your
match to the size of the hub.Most modernAlloy WheelsAs anybody who's stepped
wheels are what's called hub-centric.into a motor factor in the last 10 years
This means that the hub which protrudeswill tell you, there's a huge variety of
from your car, and mates with thespecialist wheel cleaners on the market,
equivalent sized hole at the back ofall designed to help make the job of
your wheel, is load bearing. All thatcleaning your new rims that little bit
the studs or bolts do is holding theeasier, unfortunately the real key to a
wheel onto the hub.If you havegreat finish is hard work.Before you fit
lug-centric wheels, the state of youryour wheels, give them several coats of
studs or bolts is obviously moregood quality car polish back and front.
important - be sure to replace theseThis will help prevent the road salt,
from time to time and always 3/4 tightenbrake dust and dirt keying to the
the wheels off the car to make suresurface on first use. Be sure to treat
they're centered.Plus-Sizing andthe surface of your alloys as well, if
Up-Stepping means what?Plus-Sizing ornot better, than you would your
Up-Stepping are two terms given to thepaintwork. Remember, you have spent a
practice of rising the diameter of yoursmall fortune of your alloys and they're
wheels whilst at the same time reducinggoing to be subject to the harshest
the profile of your tires to keep theconditions of just about any part of the
overall rolling radius the same.Benefitscar!Frequent washing with mildly soapy
Plus-Sizing will develop the handlingwarm water; and remember to hose all the
of your car! Each step will decrease theloose abrasive grit off first. This is
proportion of flexible tire sidewall tothe best way to keep wheels clean. Do
rigid alloy. This will improve response,not use abrasive cleansers, electric
will help keep the tire tread square tobuffers or wire wool pads on your
the road and will improve your car'swheels. Where it is possible let your
feedback. If done correctly speed andwheels cool before cleaning them and
odometer accuracy will retain and thekeep away from car-wash wheel-cleaners
car look better.Disadvantagesat all times.Huge amount of information
Often, tire inches are lighter thanabout Alloy Wheels on this site - go
wheel inches. Plus-sizing can make yourcheck out.
overall wheel/tire package heavier.



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