This detail of the car wheel hub can affect the performance of the whole car?

Among the many parts of the car, the wheels are often easy to be ignored. Many people think that the wheels are just parts that support the tires and allow the car to run, and they look good. However, some of the details of the wheels have a critical impact on the performance of the car. Today, we’re going to delve into this easily overlooked detail — wheel size and offset.

Wheel size: more than just a visual difference
Wheel size is usually expressed by two parameters: diameter and width. In the field of car tuning, many car owners are keen to increase the diameter of the wheel, thinking that this will make the vehicle look cooler and more imposing. But in reality, the change in wheel size is much more than just affecting the appearance.
When the wheel diameter increases, the flat ratio of the tires usually decreases accordingly. For example, upgrading from the original 205/65 R15 tires to 225/45 R17 tires with thinner sidewalls may improve handling, though, with more responsive steering and less vehicle roll when cornering. This is because a thinner tire wall transmits information about the road surface more directly, allowing the driver to better sense the vehicle’s contact with the ground and thus control the vehicle more accurately.

However, this upgrade does not come without a price. Larger diameter wheels increase the vehicle’s unsprung mass, which is the mass below the suspension. With increased unsprung mass, the vehicle’s acceleration will suffer and fuel consumption may rise. In addition, because the tire wall becomes thinner, the cushioning ability of the tires is reduced, the vehicle’s comfort when passing over bumpy roads will be greatly reduced, and the tires are more susceptible to damage from potholes in the road.

Wheel Deflection: The Key to Vehicle Stability
Wheel offset (ET value) is the distance between the wheel mounting surface and the centerline of the wheel hub, measured in millimeters (mm). This parameter has a decisive influence on the vehicle’s driving stability and handling.
If the wheel offset is too small, the wheel will move towards the outside of the vehicle body, resulting in a wider wheelbase. A wider wheelbase improves the handling stability of the vehicle to a certain extent, especially at high speeds and when cornering, the vehicle will be smoother and less prone to rollover hazards. However, at the same time, too large a wheelbase may also lead to interference between the tires and the vehicle’s wing panels, suspension components, etc., creating friction in the vehicle’s driving process, which not only damages the tires and body parts, but also affects driving safety.
On the contrary, if the wheel offset is too large, the wheel will move towards the inside of the vehicle body and the wheelbase will become narrower. This may make the vehicle’s handling performance worse, especially at high speeds, the stability of the vehicle will be affected, and it is easy to have a floating feeling. Moreover, too much offset may also lead to too little clearance between the brake caliper and the wheel hub, affecting the normal operation of the braking system, and may even result in direct friction between the brake caliper and the wheel hub, seriously jeopardizing driving safety.
The Importance of Fitment
Whether it’s wheel size or offset, fitment to the vehicle is critical. When designing a vehicle, automakers will equip it with the most appropriate wheel parameters based on the vehicle’s overall performance, suspension, powertrain and other factors. Arbitrary changes in wheel size or offset, if not professionally calculated and tuned, are likely to have a serious impact on the performance and safety of the vehicle.
When replacing wheels, car owners should fully understand the original parameters of the vehicle, consult professional car tuners, and choose wheels that are suitable for the vehicle. This will not only ensure that the performance of the vehicle is not affected, but also to a certain extent to enhance the safety and comfort of the vehicle.
Seemingly ordinary car wheels, its size and offset and other details are hiding a big secret that affects the performance of the whole car. While pursuing personalization and aesthetics, we can’t ignore these key factors, and only by choosing the right wheels can we make our cars both safe and excellent on the road. So the next time you’re ready to replace the wheels on your car, make sure you do your homework and choose carefully.
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