For most Australians, an automobile is the biggest purchase to ever be made (other than buying a

home). Your car is an investment, and the last thing you need to deal with is damage to your rims or

tyres. Wheels can get dented and damaged over time, but new wheels can make even an old car look

newer while improving road performance. A set of custom rims can give your car a sleek, stylish new

look, but not all rims are the same. Cars require different rims than 4WDs do, and sizing requirements

can vary widely. At Ozzy Tyres, we can help you order custom and standard rims in a variety of sizes –

read on to learn how to buy a set of wheels that is a good fit for your vehicle.

Wheel Measurement Terminology

When you read your vehicle's owners' manual to find out what kind of rims you need, some of the terms

may be confusing – but learning them can help you buy the correct wheels. Understanding what "hub

centre bore" and "bolt pattern" mean can make your shopping experience a successful one.

Bolt pattern: Also referred to as bolt circle or lug pattern, it refers to the measurement of the

circle formed by the wheel lugs on the exterior of the rim. Composed of two numbers, the first

number is the number of bolt holes, and the second is the total diameter of the circle.

Hub centre bore: This is the central hole that keeps the wheel seated on the hub.

Torque: Wheels are commonly put on with a torque wrench, and newly installed rims should be

re-torqued after the first hundred kilometres to re-tighten everything.

Offset: This is the distance from the mounting surface to the wheel's centre line. You can find

wheels in zero, negative and positive offset. With a zero offset wheel, the centre line and the

mounting surface are flush with one another. Negative offset wheels have a mounting surface

toward the brake side, and positive offset wheels have a mounting surface toward the front.

By learning basic wheel terminology, you can easily find the right wheels for your car or 4WD. When

shopping with Ozzy Tyres, terms like these are often used in product names and descriptions; we will

work with you to help you find the right wheel and tyre package. In most cases, you will have your new

wheels within a couple of business days.

Buying Rims: What to Look For

When searching for new rims, several factors should be considered. Many drivers just want to replace

old, dinged-up rims, while others want a look that's in line with the performance of their vehicle. Still

others want flashy, big rims. If you drive a vehicle with large tyres, you'll need 4x4 wheels to match; style

is one of the determining factors in the wheel buying process.

Rims are available in two types: steel and aluminium. Chrome wheels are shiny and made of aluminium,

but these wheels can also be had in a variety of colours. Aluminium can be polished to a high shine, but

it's easy to dirty and dent. Aluminium alloy wheels are good if you do a lot of city driving, or if you live

on a rough road, because their design allows for more brake cooling. Some alloys are made with

magnesium (also known as mag wheels) rather than aluminium. Steel wheels are ideal if you want

durability and low maintenance, but they don't offer the shine and style of an aluminium or an alloy

wheel. If you want the ruggedness of steel wheels for your 4WD, you can often get these wheels in a

painted finish for added style.

When your vehicle's wheels get scratched, cracked or otherwise damaged, it can seem almost

impossible to find an adequate replacement. Finding the right wheels for your car or 4x4 should not be a

hassle – visit or call us at Ozzy Tyres and we'll help you through the buying process from start to finish.

We carry a wide selection of wheels, from small to large, and from alloy to steel. When shopping for

wheels, consider your car's bolt pattern; it has to match perfectly or the rims will not fit. If your car has a

dual bolt pattern, you may have more options when it's time to buy. Give Ozzy Tyres the chance to help

you find a set of wheels that are reliable, stylish and specifically fitted to your vehicle. You will be glad

you did!