What is the best way to adjust car rims and tires?
(Baonghean.vn) - The trend of upgrading rims and tires on cars is no longer a new thing nowadays. To make the car look sportier, stronger and more impressive, car owners often spend a lot of money on upgrading rims and tires... However, if the size of the rims and tires is changed without ensuring the outer diameter of the wheel is the same as the original, the harm will be more than the benefit.
1. What is rim and tire size?
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Rim and tire modification is to change the original size (diameter) of the rim and tire to make the car look more eye-catching and attractive with many different models and designs. Or help the car move easily on special terrain...
Tires are the only part of the car that is in direct contact with the road surface. This part plays the role of transmitting traction to help the car move and slow down when braking, so it must ensure grip. In addition, this is also part of the suspension system, acting as a shock absorber, so it must also have elasticity.
Car rims are considered a simple and common choice for many people when they want to create personality for their "car".
2. Important indicators in rim and tire adjustment
- Wheel Diameter:This index is calculated in inches and is also adjusted to increase by one inch, for example from 15" rim to 16", 17", .. 22"... There are some types of rims with odd diameters such as 16.5" but in general they are rare.
- Wheel Width:This is the distance between the two outer edges of the rim. This dimension usually increases in 1/2″ increments (ie 7.5″, 8″).
- Wheel Center:Is the center line of the rim measured in width.
- Offset:This is the distance from the center line of the rim to the contact surface of the rim with the wheel axle, this index is calculated in millimeters. This is a very important index when upgrading rims and tires.
- Backspacing:The distance from the contact surface to the inner edge of the rim. This number is closely related to the offset (without measuring, you can calculate the backspacing index approximately with the formula [Rim Width/2] + [Offset] + [about 1/4″]).
- Centerbore:The centerbore of a rim is the size of the hole in the back of the rim that allows the rim to be placed properly on the wheel hub. This hole is precisely machined to fit snugly on the wheel hub to help the wheel stay aligned, minimizing the risk of vibration.
- Bolt Circle:Bolt Circle Diameter, also known as PCD (Pattern Circle Diameter). Bolt Circle Diameter represents the diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the center point of the bolt holes.
In addition, you should also pay attention to the wheel diameter and the type of anchor (the number of anchor holes to attach the wheel to the vehicle). Most vehicles use 4 x 100 anchors (4 holes, 100mm diameter).
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3. Principle of rim andtires
According to experts, the size of the rim and tire must be inversely proportional, if the rim size increases by 1 inch, the tire thickness must be reduced by 1 inch. Then, the tire is thin and spread out, increasing the contact area of the wheel and the road surface, helping the car have better grip.
However, this should not be overused because thin tires, increased grip too much, the suspension system will work incorrectly compared to the original design, greatly affecting the safety of the car.
4. Things to consider when choosing rims and tires
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To make the car look sportier and more eye-catching, the following things need to be considered:
- Thinner sidewalls reduce the amount of spring, increasing the sportiness with better feel for the driver, more enjoyable cornering and a stiffer suspension, but this also makes the car bumpier.
- When changing to a wider tire, it is necessary to recalculate the ratio of the tire sidewall height to the tire width so that the overall diameter of the wheel does not change much (the rim type will also have to change at this time).
- When replacing a larger rim, you also need to choose a tire with a thin sidewall so as not to increase the outer diameter of the wheel.
- New tire size with an outer diameter that is too large or too small compared to the original tire will cause other systems on the vehicle to operate incorrectly, such as the speedometer, fuel consumption index, automatic transmission, ABS brakes, etc. In addition, if the overall outer diameter of the tire increases too much, the tire may scrape the wheel well, and an outer diameter that is too small will reduce the vehicle's ground clearance.
