How to Know Which Wheel Size to Buy

Figuring out the proper off road wheels for your vehicle is an important decision, one that relates to both utility and style. There are many choices in tire types for your car or truck, and choosing the right size not only means improved performance in off-road settings, but also safety and security wherever you drive.

1. First: Determining the right type of wheels for your vehicle

   Most cars and trucks are outfitted with all terrain tires when they are sold, and they are the most common you see on the road today. All terrain tires are not appropriate for serious off-road use, however. Wheels appropriate for off-road use include mud and rock crawler/grabber tires, both occasionally reinforced with tough materials such as kevlar. Both have heavy "lugs" creating deep channels located in the spaces between the tire's tread. Mud tires are designed with channels that force mud and snow out from the channels and into the outer circumference of the wheel, while lugs on grabber tires are designed for maximum grip and traction across sandy, rocky or uneven terrain. The terrain driven should dictate the type of tire chosen, then the size.

2. Second: How to know which wheel size to buy

   Every vehicle has a standard tire size assigned by the manufacturer. This standard wheel size is usually found stamped into the driver's side door, on the current tires and in the owner's manual. If the car or truck is not modified with a lift suspension, the standard size applies when selecting mud, crawler and all terrain tires. Wheels for lifted vehicles require careful measurement to ensure that they do not damage the vehicle; these measurements are normally taken when the lift is put on to determine the new true height and depth of the vehicle's wheel well.