Staggered Rims, Wheels and Tires

STAGGERED WHEELS APPLICATIONS

What are staggered wheels?

Staggered wheels means the wheels on the back of the vehicle are a different size than the front. Most common staggered fitment will be wider wheels in the rear of the vehicle such as 19×8.5 and 19×10. On some vehicles such as the Acura NSX, Chevrolet Corvette, and others you will find wheels in the rear that are both wider, and usually 1 inch larger in diameter. Typically staggered fitment wheels are found on rear wheel drive vehicles such as Infiniti G35, Nissan 350Z, many BMW applications, Mercedes Applications, Audi, VW, Ford, Porsche and many more.

Is a staggered application ok to use on AWD?

Generally staggered wheels are not recommended for AWD (All Wheel Drive) vehicles. AWD vehicles have been engineered to perform their best with the same size wheel front and back, so you may suffer a decrease in performance and handling of the vehicle.

Can I put staggered wheels on a front wheel drive car?

In some cases FWD (Front Wheel Drive) cars have enough room in the rear to fit a wider wheel such as the Acura TL but generally speaking you will have to make fender modifications in the rear to fit a wider wheel and tire. If you want the staggered look with a larger lip in the rear, many wheel companies have introduced a simulated staggered application. What this means is the front and rear wheels are the same diameter and width, but the rear wheels have a bigger lip. They are able to accomplish this by setting the spokes on the rear wheels further in the wheel to give it a bigger lip. Sometimes you can get as much as a 4 inch lip in the rear.

Features of Staggered Wheels:

Sometimes, the differences are small. The back set of tires may be only an inch wider than the front or 1/2 inch wider in diameter, but this is enough to make a difference in most vehicles. Some types of staggered wheel configurations, such as airplane wheels, are necessary to balance and maneuver the vehicle.

Why Stagger?

Sometimes people prefer the way staggered wheels look because the wider wheels allow for more lip--the part of the car frame that overhangs and protects tires extending beyond the body. Staggered wheels also have technical benefits: Wider tires mean more traction on the road and therefore better control, at least in the back tires. Your tires will also tend to be low profile, allowing for easier turning and braking. In certain recreational planes, staggered wheels also make it easier for aircraft to land without digging ruts in the ground.

Considerations?

Though staggered wheels can make aspects of driving easier, they also come with difficulties. Staggered wheels make tires more difficult to rotate and can adversely affect driving. If the back wheels are too large, they can make it more difficult to brake in a short time. If you're switching to a vehicle with staggered wheels when you're used to driving without, you must change your driving style and expectations to compensate.

Common Applications:

Many sports cars come with staggered wheels, including the Nissan 350Z, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW and Ford Mustang models.

Are Big Rims, Wheels and Tires Still Hot?

As you’ve driven around the streets you’ve probably noticed that there are less cars with big rims than about two years ago. Still, all sorts of car rim sizes that are available on the market today. It’s true that with the economy these days, people are holding on to their cars for longer. So maybe, instead, they are keeping their look fresh by buying a new set of rims. Still, it seems that people are keeping their rims within a more affordable range, since there are less SUV’s on the road than before. So it looks like the most common rim sizes are 18-20 inch rims for passenger vehicles and crossovers. But, as the demand for 22’s and bigger has gone down, it’s a great buying opportunity for a set of big rims, if you are willing to pay a bit more. And after all, if you are sporting a bigger size than most, you’re going to get noticed on the road. If that is what you are looking for, maybe it’s time to think about a new set of BIG RIMS!

So you want to get yourself some big rims? Well, although big rims are most common for SUV and trucks, you can get big rims for passenger cars as well, especially luxury cars such as BMW, Mercedes and Lexus.

If you’re looking for big rims and wheels for your car or truck, you might want to look for sizes from 22 inch rims all the way up to 26 inch rims. You'll find that there are great deals on wheel and tire packages these days. As I said, the buying opportunities are great!

So if you are thinking of taking your trucks style to the next level definitely think about the different rim sizes available and also what kind of impact you are trying to give off. Chrome rims are always the flashiest where as black rims can give your truck or car a bit more class. Either way the decision is yours but cars with big rims definitely stand out and are the king of the roads that everyone remembers. Maybe it’s time to go back to the BIG RIMS!

Painted Finish Rims

Paint can be a variety of colors, from white to black. However, the most common color for custom wheels is silver. Paint, when applied through a powder coating process, is a very durable finish. Paint becomes even more effective when it has a clear coat over it. A painted and clear-coated aluminum wheel is the most corrosion resistant wheel available. Paint has very few downfalls and is relatively inexpensive. It can chip and scratch but is very resistant to this.
Paint with a clear coat is very easy to clean with most acid free cleaner or ordinary detergents and water. This finish requires no special maintenance. Use caution when purchasing a painted wheel without a clear coat. Make sure you understand the special cleaning instructions for these wheels.

Hankook Tires

Hankook Tire America Corp. bills itself as the fastest-growing tire manufacturer in the United States. The company is indeed expanding at a rapid clip.
In the U.S., Hankook’s total sales increased 22% year-over-year through the end of the third quarter. During the same period, its ultra-high performance tire sales grew by 39%.
Hankook used last month’s Global Tire Expo/Specialty Equipment Market Association Show as a forum to preview four concept tires, including the Ventus V2 Concept High Performance All-Season Tire. Among the four concept tires that Hankook displayed at its SEMA Show booth was the Enfren Eco, an environmentally friendly tire designed to fit hybrids and other high fuel efficiency cars. The Eco will be Hankook’s first officially designated eco-friendly product for the North American market when it hits warehouses during the third quarter of 2011.