TireFitLab

Wheel fitment depth

Wheel fitment depth

Rim, offset, spacer and bolt-pattern guides for physical fitment checks.

FAQ

Wheel fitment depth
Rim, offset, spacer and bolt-pattern guides for physical fitment checks.
What should I verify before using this information?
Use TireFitLab values as a sizing reference, then verify the vehicle handbook, tire placard, rim compatibility, load rating, and physical clearance before fitting.
Bolt pattern guide Find which bolt pattern your car uses and which wheels are compatible. PCD tables for 4x100, 5x112, 5x114.3 and more. Rim diameter guide Find which tire sizes fit each rim diameter from 14 to 22 inches. Rim types and materials guide Rim types explained: steel stamped, cast aluminium alloy, flow-formed alloy, forged alloy, carbon fibre. Weight comparison, heat dissipation, repair cost, corrosion resistance, and which type suits which driving application. Rim width and tyre fitment guide Check ETRTO rim-width ranges for tyre section widths 155–355 mm: minimum, ideal and maximum widths, plus risks of too-wide or too-narrow rims. Wheel offset (ET) guide What is wheel offset (ET)? Positive, negative and zero offset explained, with how to measure backspacing and choose the right ET for your vehicle. Wheel spacers: hub-centric vs lug-centric, legality and risks Wheel spacer guide: hub-centric vs lug-centric spacers, how spacer thickness changes effective wheel offset (ET), risk of vibration and wheel bolt shear from incorrect spacers, legal status in Germany/UK/EU, stud conversion spacers explained, and how to select the correct spacer for your vehicle. Wheel bolts vs wheel studs: differences, regional standards, torque specs, and safe installation Wheel bolts vs studs guide: how the two systems work (bolt screws into hub flange vs stud threaded into hub with nut on top), which markets use each (most EU vehicles use bolts, North American vehicles use studs, UK mixed), common thread sizes (M12×1.5, M14×1.5, M12×1.25), proper torque values (85–130 Nm typical passenger car), torque sequence (star/cross pattern), consequences of overtorquing (warped brake discs) and undertorquing (loose wheel), how to convert from bolts to studs (aftermarket stud conversion kit), and why studs are preferred for wheel changes in track/off-road applications. Wheel alignment guide What is wheel alignment? Camber, caster and toe explained, symptoms of misalignment, how often to align, and the difference between alignment and balancing. Wheel balancing guide What is wheel balancing? Why wheels go out of balance, symptoms of imbalance, static vs dynamic balancing, when to balance (new tyres, impact, vibration), and what it costs. Wheel balancing vs alignment: what is the difference? Balancing vs alignment: what each fixes, which symptoms point to which problem, when you need both, how much each costs, and what happens if you skip them. Alloy wheel repair: scuffs, cracks, buckles — what can and cannot be repaired Alloy wheel repair guide: which types of alloy wheel damage can be repaired (cosmetic scuffs, minor buckles, small cracks in non-critical zones), which damage requires wheel replacement (cracks through the bead seat, structural cracks near spokes, severe buckles), methods of repair (SMART cosmetic, diamond cutting, TIG welding, hydraulic press), approximate costs, and safety considerations. Spare tyre types explained Comparison of car spare tyre types: full-size matching spare, space-saver (temporary use), run-flat tyre (no spare needed), tyre inflation kit (puncture sealant + compressor), and donut spare — speed limits, distance limits, cost, and legal requirements. Crossply vs radial tyres: construction explained Crossply (bias-ply) vs radial tyre construction: how the cord angle differs, why radial dominates passenger cars, where crossply is still used (vintage vehicles, agricultural, off-road), and why the MOT prohibits mixing the two constructions on the same axle. Staggered tyre fitment: why sports cars use wider rear tyres and what it means for tyre rotation and replacement Guide to staggered tyre fitment: what staggered means (different section widths front and rear — typically wider rear), why rear-wheel-drive sports cars use staggered fitment (wider rear tyres have higher cornering stiffness and traction capability — the larger rear contact patch handles the engine drive force without oversteering), common stagger examples (BMW M series: 255/40R18 front, 265/40R18 rear; Porsche 911: 235/35R19 front, 295/30R19 rear), why tyre rotation is impossible with a staggered fitment (different sizes cannot swap axles), the implication for tyre wear life (rear tyres wear faster on RWD cars and cannot be relieved by rotation), how staggered fitment interacts with directional tyres (cannot be cross-swapped either), and how to manage tyre costs on a staggered fitment vehicle.

More tools

Seasonal check

Planning a long summer drive?

Use the budget and running-cost tools before a trip, especially if the current tyres are worn or the replacement size changes diameter.

Estimate tyre budget
Last reviewed: 2026-06-28
What changed
  • Added pillar pages for the existing guide bundle taxonomy.