There are many ways to improve your car’s looks and handling. Most people start with exterior modification because there are many more options to choose from. Aside from aesthetic appearance, some external changes can improve certain performance aspects of a car.
Staggered wheels are amongst the exterior modifications that have a much more significant effect on a car than just appearance. But what are staggered wheels, anyway?
Staggered, or offset wheels, as some call them, are a set of wheels and tires that are of different sizes. It’s usually the width that’s different between the front and rear wheels, but in some cases, the diameter can be different, too.
In this article, we’ll talk about staggered wheels, what kind of options you’ll come across, the pros and cons of fitting staggered wheels to your car, and what you need to know before actually buying and fitting them to your car.
Staggered Wheel Options
When it comes to the options for staggered wheels, there are two main variations commonly used. The first one is where all the wheels are of the same diameter, however, the wheels on one axle are wider than the wheels on the other one.
The second option for staggered wheels is when the wheels on the rear axle have a larger diameter than the wheels on the front. This type of variation isn’t as safe as the first one, especially because it can cause issues with wheel speed and ABS sensors on your car. This is also why it’s a far less popular option.
There’s also the possibility of fitting larger or wider wheels on the front, especially for drag cars with front-wheel drive. It’s not common to see a front-wheel-drive drag car, but when you do, it’s likely it will have larger front wheels.
Pros & Cons
As soon as people fit staggered wheels on their cars, there are some benefits, even if they don’t affect how well your vehicle performs. The first and most obvious benefit of having staggered wheels on your car is improved aesthetics. Whether your rear wheels are wider or bigger compared to the front wheels, it looks more aggressive that having all four same wheels.
Another benefit that’s more important than looks is increased stability, traction, and grip. Wider wheels require wider tires and with a larger contact surface, the car has more grip. The suspension setup has a lot to do with these attributes, but the wheel and tire choice also play a significant role in the car’s handling capabilities.
Lastly, high-performance cars largely benefit from staggered wheels due to the increased weight support. With narrow wheels and tires, a huge amount of weight pressures the suspension system. With wider tires at the back, the weight is supported, and there’s less stress on the suspension.
Like any other modification, staggered wheels have their downsides, too.
Obviously, one of the things you won’t be able to do is rotate your tires. The only way you can rotate them is on the same axle, which isn’t as helpful as rotating them between axles. This means that a misaligned suspension geometry will lead to premature tire wear, which can be pretty expensive.
With additional grip at the rear tires, it’s possible to experience understeer when cornering. Although oversteer is expected from a rear-wheel-drive car, understeer happens due to the difference in grip between the axles. The rear tires are able to withstand a specific amount of force, while the front tires aren’t wide enough to keep the car stable in the corner. This is why it’s also recommended to replace all four tires at the same time, no matter what the condition of the front tires is.
While talking about cost, finding a staggered set of wheels can be pretty expensive. It’s also pretty difficult to find a set of staggered wheels with the exact bolt pattern and center hub. A new set of wheels can often cost up to four digits, depending on the size and bolt pattern. Tires can also cost a lot due to their width and low profile. Some specific tire sizes are more difficult to get ahold of, which is something you need to consider when getting a staggered set for your car.
Lastly, fitting wheels of different sizes on a car can trigger a variety of issues with sensors. Stability control depends on the sensors that measure the wheel speed on each corner, so if the wheel and tire size isn’t the same, it can lead to ABS and other safety equipment failure when you need it the most.
Are Staggered Wheels Only For Rear-Wheel-Drive Cars?
A common misconception is that staggered wheels can only be fitted to rear-wheel-drive cars, when in fact, they can be fitted to any car, no matter if it’s a rear-wheel-drive, front-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive car.
When it comes to improved handling, rear-wheel-drive cars get the most out of a staggered wheel setup. Front-wheel-drive cars, that already have issues with understeer, will have an even bigger problem, which is why it isn’t a recommended setup if the car is meant for the track. All-wheel-drive cars have the best handling when all wheels are the same size, however, staggered wheels will only slightly reduce their ability to go through corners fast.
Things to Know Before Fitting Staggered Wheels To Your Car
Before investing in staggered wheels, there are a few things you should know. The first, and most important factor is whether or not the wheels will fit your car. You should consider the wheel’s diameter, width, offset, and most importantly, the bolt pattern. The suspension setup also plays a role in whether you’ll be able to fit staggered wheels to your car.
Secondly, you should be aware of whether your car’s systems can work with staggered wheels or not. Many all-wheel-drive systems require all of the wheels to be the same size for the system to work properly. The same applies to the safety systems such as ABS and stability control. Unless you’re using your car purely for the track, and you have the possibility to override these sensors, staggered wheels will be a waste of time and money.