Many drivers enjoy customizing their cars to make them fully their own; one of the easiest ways to do this is to get custom wheels. There are thousands of wheel designs available to help you get the appearance you want—which for many drivers means bigger wheels. At one time, the largest wheels that came from the factory were 15 or 16-inch wheels. Today, sizes up to 18 inches are standard; you can even find wheels up to 20 inches or more. 

What to Consider When Upsizing Your Wheels

When upsizing your wheels, there are a few important considerations. First, you’ll need to know your vehicle’s rolling diameter, which refers to the overall height of your tires. Unless you want to modify your suspension, you’ll need to find wheels with the same rolling diameter as what your vehicle is already equipped with. 

Maintaining the same rolling diameter is essential for several reasons:

• Larger tires may not fit properly in the wheel well.
• The speedometer, odometer, and antilock brake system are calibrated based on the factory rolling diameter; to ensure your anti-lock brakes work properly, the rolling diameter must be within 3% of the manufacturer’s recommendation. 
• Altering the rolling diameter can have adverse effects on vehicles equipped with electronically controlled suspension.

As the size of a wheel gets larger, the sidewall gets shorter. This also means that the tire holds less air—so the sidewalls must be made stiffer to compensate for that. Top manufacturers of low-profile tires use specialized compounds that provide additional strength to the sidewalls without compromising ride quality. 

Upsizing the wheels often results in needing slightly wider tires, leading to a larger contact patch. The contact patch refers to the portion of the tire that makes contact with the road. With increased rubber contact on the road, your car will have better handling and shorter braking distances. Many drivers, particularly those with trucks or SUVs, enjoy the enhanced control they get by upsizing their wheels. However, it’s essential to ensure that the contact patch doesn’t become excessively large, as that can lead to tire rubbing during turns or driving over bumps—this is known as “fitment”. 

Get the Right Wheels for Your Ride

At EuroCar Service, our service advisors have the expertise to help you select the right tires for your vehicle. They’ll guide you through the installation and, if needed, add spaces to ensure your brakes fit inside the new wheels perfectly. We specialize in all European makes, including BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Mercedes, Mini-Cooper, Saab, Jaguar, Volkswagen, Volvo, Smart Car, and Fiat! Call us today at (206) 527-8828 or request an appointment online. 

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