What is Wheel Offset??? Your Answere is here

What is Wheel Offset??? Your Answere is here

Offset is:

The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. The offset can be one of three types.


Zero Offset:
The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.

Positive Offset:
The hub mounting surface is toward the front or wheel side of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front wheel drive cars and newer rear drive cars.

Negative Offset:
The hub mounting surface is toward the back or brake side of the wheels centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are typically a negative offset.

Summary of why correct offset is important??

If the offset of the wheel is not correct for the car, the handling can be adversely affected. When the width of the wheel changes, the offset also changes numerically. If the offset were to stay the same while you added width, the additional width would be split evenly between the inside and outside. For most cars, this won't work correctly. We have test fitted thousands of different vehicles for proper fitment. Our extensive database allows our sales staff to offer you the perfect fit for your vehicle.


All of the above information was borrowed from tire rack.

so what is the reccomended offset?

Just like they said, the correct offset depends on the width of the rim... so a question like "what is the correct offset for my car?" is a little too vauge.

Dont take it wrong minja im not bitching at you at all, just saying...

so I'll ask a more specific question, what is the correct offset (on an 03 corolla S) for a 7.5 inch wide rim? or for that matter a 7" rim?

how would someone go about calculating the proper offset for a specific wheel size/width combination? Is there a forumla?

IE... if OEM wheels are 15x6, and OEM offset is +42mm, what is the offset for 17x7.5 wheels?

If you want to preserve original clearance between wheel and strut with a 7.5" wheel;
7.5 - 6 = 1.5 / 2 = 0.75 x 25.4(mm per ") = 19.05...42 - 19.05 = 22.95, so a positive offset of 23 mm on a 7.5" rim would retain stock strut/wheel clearance. Increasing positive offset will give you more fender clearance if you can allow the wheel to be closer to strut.

Are the stock steel wheels on the LE 15x6 or 15x7? I've found conflicting info. I have Celica alloy wheels now (15 x 6.5 et39) and am just curious to do some tire geometry comparisons between the "standard" and this modified wheel.

I found this little gem while googling. A nice wheel offset calculator. Enjoy. 8)

http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html

heres another fitmnet jem:

http://www.saturnperformance.com/tech/tiresize/