Tyreforce advice · October 2026 · 4 minute read

A new set of wheels can give your car a fresh look, but the right choice starts with how they fit. For drivers around Campbellfield and Melbourne’s northern suburbs, the aim is a setup that suits the vehicle and everyday driving. Before settling on a finish or spoke design, work through these checks so you can compare options with confidence.

Start with your exact vehicle

Have your make, model, year and variant ready, along with details of any brake or suspension changes. Similar-looking versions of the same car can need different fitments. Photograph your tyre placard and current tyre markings, and check the owner’s manual for the original specifications. Tell the fitter whether you carry tools, tow or have a modified vehicle, so those details form part of the discussion.

Check the bolt pattern and centre bore

The bolt pattern combines the number of fixing holes with the pitch circle diameter, usually shortened to PCD. For example, 5×114.3 describes five holes arranged on a circle measuring 114.3 mm across. A five-hole wheel still needs the correct PCD for the vehicle.

The centre bore is the opening in the middle of the wheel that fits over the hub. Its compatibility, along with the correct wheel nuts or bolts, should be confirmed as part of the fitment.

Consider diameter and width together

A wheel marked 18×8 has an 18-inch diameter and an 8-inch nominal rim width. Width describes the tyre-mounting section, so it is a different measurement from the tyre width printed on the sidewall.

Choose the wheel and tyre combination together. If you want to reuse your tyres, have their size and suitability checked before ordering. If you are changing sizes, ask which tyre options suit both the proposed wheel and your vehicle’s requirements. Include replacement tyre costs in your budget from the start.

Understand what offset changes

Offset, often marked ET, measures the distance in millimetres between the wheel’s centreline and its hub mounting face. It affects where the wheel sits relative to the suspension and guards.

For wheels of the same width, a lower offset generally places the wheel further outward; a higher offset places it further inward. Width changes affect clearance too, so copying an offset from a photo or another car can be misleading. Have the full specification checked together, including space around the tyre.

Confirm the wheel’s load rating

Load rating describes the load capacity specified for the wheel. Check the rating of the exact size and offset you are considering: versions of the same wheel design can carry different ratings.

This matters when comparing wheels for utes, SUVs and vehicles with carrying duties. Mention any gross vehicle mass (GVM) upgrade and provide its documentation. Ask the fitter to confirm the wheel and tyre load capacities against the requirements of your particular vehicle.

Allow for brakes and other clearances

Matching diameter and PCD does not confirm clearance around the brake calipers. The shape inside the wheel and behind its spokes matters as well. RAYS recommends checking the bare wheel against the vehicle before mounting tyres, including clearance around calipers and steering components.

Ask how fitment will be confirmed before proceeding, especially if you have upgraded brakes or changed the suspension. Any proposed change should also be checked against the requirements that apply to your vehicle.

Bring your shortlist to Tyreforce

A useful quote should identify the wheel’s exact specification and the tyres being paired with it. Ask what fitting, balancing and any required hardware are included, so you can compare the complete job.

Browse the Tyreforce wheel range and save the designs you like, together with their listed specifications. Then contact Tyreforce in Campbellfield with your vehicle details, tyre size and any modifications. That gives the conversation a useful starting point: the look you want, the way you use your car and the fitment that needs confirming before you buy.

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