How to choose
How to read a rim marking
A rim size is usually written like this: 7.5Jx17 H2 ET45. The first number is the width in inches, measured on the inside of the rim between the flanges the tyre sits against. The letter J is the flange profile, and it is the most common one on passenger cars. The number after the "x" is the diameter: in this example it is a 17-inch rim, so it takes a 17-inch tyre. H2 means there is a hump on both tyre bead seats, which keeps the tyre in place even if the pressure drops. ET45 is the offset in millimetres.
Bolt pattern, offset and centre bore
The bolt pattern (PCD), for example 5x112, means five bolts on a circle 112 mm in diameter. It has to match the car's hub exactly. Cabinet Regulation No. 295 treats a rim with a bolt pattern different from the one the car manufacturer specifies as a defect, and the car will fail its roadworthiness test.
Offset (ET) is the distance from the centre line of the rim to the surface that sits against the hub. A higher ET pulls the wheel further in under the wheel arch, a lower one pushes it out. The wheel must not stick out beyond the bodywork or rub against it. All rims must be the same size unless the car manufacturer specifies otherwise. You will find the permitted sizes in the car's owner's manual, and the tyre sizes are usually also on the sticker in the driver's door frame.
The centre bore (DIA) must be at least as large as the hub spigot. If the bore is larger, the rim is centred with hub-centric rings: the outer size of the ring matches the rim and the inner size matches the hub, for example 72.6/57.1. If the bore is smaller than the hub, the rim will not fit.
Bolts, seat and load
The seat is the shape of the bolt hole in the rim that the head of the bolt presses against: conical, ball (radius) or flat. The seat of the bolt head has to match the seat of the rim, otherwise the wheel can come loose. That is why the original bolts often do not suit new rims. The required length can differ too, as alloy rims tend to be thicker than steel rims. The thread, and whether you need wheel bolts or nuts, is set by the car, while the seat is set by the rim.
The rim specification states the maximum load per wheel in kilograms. It must not be lower than the load the car's original tyre carries according to its load index. For heavier cars, including electric cars, it is worth comparing this figure before you buy.
TPMS sensors
If your car's dashboard shows the pressure of each tyre, the wheels have tyre pressure sensors, and you will need them in the new rims as well. A car fitted with this system by the manufacturer fails its roadworthiness test if the sensors are missing or not working. You can move the sensors over from your old rims or buy new ones. A universal sensor has to be programmed at a tyre service before use, while a Plug&Drive sensor needs no programming. On many cars the pressure is monitored by the ABS system, and then no sensors are needed in the rims.
Choose your car
Enter your car on this page. For each rim we will compare the bolt pattern, centre bore, size, offset and load with the manufacturer's data. First you will see the rims that fit, then those that need hub-centric rings, and finally those with a different size or offset. The data does not tell us the clearance to the brake caliper or the bolt length. So before fitting, put the rim on the hub without a tyre and check that it turns freely, does not catch the caliper and that the bolts screw in to their full length.