# How-To: Understand Wheels (offsets, tire sizes, etc) **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [December 15, 2004, 8:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520 "2004-12-15T20:36:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![s14\_2Nv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/s14_2nv/32/5476_2.png) [@s14\_2Nv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/s14_2Nv)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 12:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/21 "2004-12-17T12:22:07Z")
Time to add some actual value to this post: Visit this website for learning how to calculate offset, backspacing, bolt circle, tire size, and overall diameter. These questions come up often, and this site has excellent information laid out in an organized fashion. [http://www.gmpperformance.com/produ...ires/wheels.htm](http://www.gmpperformance.com/produ...ires/wheels.htm) * * * [http://www.newsales.com/wheels/info/BoltPatternOffsetReference.htm](http://www.newsales.com/wheels/info/BoltPatternOffsetReference.htm) * * * Their tech section has a Tire Size Calculator and some other useful info. [1010tires.com](http://1010tires.com) * * * Here’s a site that lets you compare wheel offsets to each other: [http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html](http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html) * * * > **[WheelMax: America's Largest Mail Order Wheel And Tire Company - WheelMax:...](https://www.wheelmax.com/)** > > A wide range of US wheel brands. We guarantee that our wheels & tires will fit perfectly on your vehicle. We have the best deals online carrying brands like Arospeed, Enkei, Verde, Konig, Status, TSW, Concept One and much more! Request a quote via... * * * ---
**Author:** ![boMex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@boMex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boMex)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/22 "2004-12-18T00:17:21Z")
> [@Racer 180sX](#): > > I run 18X9-15 i go through a wheel bearing every 10km’s. Well nik if you wanted to be more accurate it would be: I run stock teardrops with 195 all seasons :roll: Try not to make stupid posts please. ---
**Author:** ![Racer\_XTREME](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@Racer\_XTREME](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Racer_XTREME)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2004, 7:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/23 "2004-12-18T07:32:44Z")
> [@boMex](#): > > [quote=Racer 180sX]I run 18X9-15 i go through a wheel bearing every 10km’s. Well nik if you wanted to be more accurate it would be: I run stock teardrops with 195 all seasons :roll: Try not to make stupid posts please.[/quote] Well if we are going to be serious, right now i have 4 winters 2 on steelies, 2 on gold 300zx rims. And in the summer i have toyo’s on my stock teardrops. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a4c791/32.png) [@Pavel](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pavel)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2004, 9:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/24 "2004-12-18T09:18:08Z")
Andrew, please edit the forums so that Guests were unable to post in this section… it’s the 2nd time already I forget to log in and it lets me post. ---
**Author:** ![Silvia\_Wannabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@Silvia\_Wannabe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Silvia_Wannabe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/25 "2005-01-28T12:00:35Z")
Find somebody with a similar setup and ask them their offsets and pics ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/97f17d/32.png) [@Mr\_zero](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_zero)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/26 "2005-01-28T12:15:16Z")
I am wondering how you determine what offset is necessary to clear z breaks or a big break upgrade? Is there a defined offset? Is there a calculation? Or does it depend on the actual rim spoke design itself? ---
**Author:** ![Pavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a4c791/32.png) [@Pavel](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pavel)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/27 "2005-01-28T14:11:24Z")
It mostly depends on the spoke design, lower offset generally can clear the calipers better, however it’s all in the spoke design. ---
**Author:** ![Cal](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cal/32/5505_2.png) [@Cal](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Cal)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/28 "2005-01-28T17:08:52Z")
didnt actually read any of this thread, but while i googled low offset wheels on google in hopes of finding some nice looking 4 bolt ones i found this: Positive offset ![http://www.tyresave.co.uk/graphics/ofsetpos.gif](http://www.tyresave.co.uk/graphics/ofsetpos.gif) Negative offset ![http://www.tyresave.co.uk/graphics/ofsetneg.gif](http://www.tyresave.co.uk/graphics/ofsetneg.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/97f17d/32.png) [@Mr\_zero](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_zero)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/29 "2005-01-28T17:10:26Z")
So basically I would have to find out how big the z breaks or big break kit is first, and then measure that up to the spoke clearance from the wheel centre. Aight, well thanx for the answer. (not that i have either…) but I am just wondering… ---
**Author:** ![Silvia\_Wannabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@Silvia\_Wannabe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Silvia_Wannabe)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520/30 "2005-02-14T12:49:43Z")
Could you not just find a wheel that is the correct offset for a z32 and then run it if your worried about clearing z brakes. Allthough if you are using coilovers you need to find someone who’s running the same or similar ones. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-understand-wheels-offsets-tire-sizes-etc/82520.md?page=1)