| Offset means what?Offset is normally stamped or | | | | heavier. Reducing the profile of your tires will also |
| engraved into the wheel and is measured in millimeters | | | | decrease your car's damping deflection under |
| of ET: ET is the short form of the German word | | | | compression the ride quality will get worse. Other |
| Einpresstiefe which translates as insertion depth.Offset | | | | disadvantages can include the need for more |
| is the distance between the hub mounting face at the | | | | expensive tires, your brakes looking undersized and |
| back of the wheel and the wheel's centerline.Negative | | | | people's grannies laughing and calling your car a |
| Offset wheels have their mounting face toward the | | | | buggy.You got the Alloy Wheels and then |
| rear of the wheel - powerful rear-wheel drive cars | | | | what?Before you do anything, ensure to see that you |
| often have wheels with negative offset.Zero Offset | | | | have the right sort of bolts - Bolts and studs have |
| wheels have their mounting face even with the | | | | various diameters, threads and settings, your wheel |
| centerline of the wheel and are by definition | | | | supplier should be able to advice on this. Also check to |
| ET0.Positive Offset wheels have their mounting face | | | | see that you the 4 plastic spigot rings which help the |
| toward the front face of the wheel. Front wheel drive | | | | interface between the wheel and the hub.Next you |
| vehicles usually have positive ET wheels. Eighties & | | | | need to jack your car up; do this in a secure way, and |
| Nineties Volkswagen wheels are generally ET38.PCD | | | | be sure to use axle stands, chock wheels still in |
| means what?PCD stands for pitch circle diameter and | | | | contact with the ground and apply the parking brake. |
| is the diameter of a circle drawn through the centre of | | | | Offer a wheel up to the car and check that the bolt |
| your wheel's bolt holes. P.C.D. is measured in millimeters | | | | holes line up, that the wheel locates on the hub |
| and also indicate the number of studs or bolts the | | | | properly and that there is wheel arch, suspension strut |
| wheel will have. Volkswagen Alloy Wheels are usually | | | | and brake caliper clearance. If you have upgraded |
| either 4x100: i.e. 4 bolt holes drilled through the centre | | | | your brakes be SURE to seek advice and measure |
| of an imaginary 100mm circle, or 5x100: for VR6s, GTis | | | | everything thoroughly before you order.The wheel |
| and MK4s.Center bore means what?The center bore | | | | bolts or nuts must be tightened to the manufacturer's |
| of an alloy wheel is the size of the hole at the back of | | | | precise torque. Be sure to re-torque after a 100 miles |
| the wheel which the hub fits into. To help the wheels to | | | | or so as they will compress slightly; tighten them |
| seat properly this hole needs to be an exact match to | | | | increasingly till they're 3/4 tight then lower the car and |
| the size of the hub.Most modern wheels are what's | | | | complete the process.Take care of your Alloy |
| called hub-centric. This means that the hub which | | | | WheelsAs anybody who's stepped into a motor factor |
| protrudes from your car, and mates with the | | | | in the last 10 years will tell you, there's a huge variety |
| equivalent sized hole at the back of your wheel, is load | | | | of specialist wheel cleaners on the market, all designed |
| bearing. All that the studs or bolts do is holding the | | | | to help make the job of cleaning your new rims that |
| wheel onto the hub.If you have lug-centric wheels, the | | | | little bit easier, unfortunately the real key to a great |
| state of your studs or bolts is obviously more | | | | finish is hard work.Before you fit your wheels, give |
| important - be sure to replace these from time to time | | | | them several coats of good quality car polish back |
| and always 3/4 tighten the wheels off the car to | | | | and front. This will help prevent the road salt, brake |
| make sure they're centered.Plus-Sizing and | | | | dust and dirt keying to the surface on first use. Be |
| Up-Stepping means what?Plus-Sizing or Up-Stepping | | | | sure to treat the surface of your alloys as well, if not |
| are two terms given to the practice of rising the | | | | better, than you would your paintwork. Remember, you |
| diameter of your wheels whilst at the same time | | | | have spent a small fortune of your alloys and they're |
| reducing the profile of your tires to keep the overall | | | | going to be subject to the harshest conditions of just |
| rolling radius the same.Benefits | | | | about any part of the car!Frequent washing with mildly |
| Plus-Sizing will develop the handling of your car! Each | | | | soapy warm water; and remember to hose all the |
| step will decrease the proportion of flexible tire sidewall | | | | loose abrasive grit off first. This is the best way to |
| to rigid alloy. This will improve response, will help keep | | | | keep wheels clean. Do not use abrasive cleansers, |
| the tire tread square to the road and will improve your | | | | electric buffers or wire wool pads on your wheels. |
| car's feedback. If done correctly speed and odometer | | | | Where it is possible let your wheels cool before |
| accuracy will retain and the car look | | | | cleaning them and keep away from car-wash |
| better.Disadvantages | | | | wheel-cleaners at all times.Huge amount of information |
| Often, tire inches are lighter than wheel inches. | | | | about Alloy Wheels on this site - go check out. |
| Plus-sizing can make your overall wheel/tire package | | | | |