When choosing a set of custom wheels for your car, truck or SUV remember these five points. (1) You can choose the manufacturer! (2) You can choose the style and/or model! (3) You can choose the finish! (4) You can choose where purchased! and (5) Let the experts choose the size of the custom wheel and tire, the backspacing, negative or positive offset, bolt circle diameter and centerbore.

Your supplier, whether they are local or on the Internet, has the expertise to make the right choice. They have access to manufacturers specifications either by computer programs or printed manuals. However, below are a few technical term and definitions you should be familiar with.

Low Profile Tires - tires that are wider and have shorter but stronger sidewalls.

Plus Sizing - is mounting tires that are wider and have a shorter sidewall on larger diameter custom wheels.

Mounting Surface - refers to the back side of the wheel that touches the disk/drum.

Backspacing - is defined as the measurement from the inside of the rim edge to the wheel mounting surface.

Wheel Centerline - an imaginary line that is equal to both outer rims of a wheel.

Zero offset - means that the wheel centerline and wheel hub mounting surface measurements to both outer rims of a wheel are equal.

Positive Offset - means the mounting surface of the wheel is positioned in front or street side of the true centerline of the wheel.

FWD - Positive offset wheels are generally found on front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles.

Negative Offset - means that the wheel mounting surface is positioned behind the true centerline of the wheel.

RWD - Negative offset wheels are generally found on rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles.

Deep Dish - another term for negative offset or RWD wheels.

Bolt Pattern - wheels usually have either a 4, 5 or 6 bolt pattern or circle.

Center Bore - The hole in the center of a custom wheel.

Hub Centric - the center hole is precisely sized where it meets the wheel hub and supports the vehicle's weight.

Lug Centric - the lug nut supports the vehicle's weight.

Hub rings - are used to center the center bore hole in a wheel to the hub of the drum or disc brake.

Wheel Adapter - changes the bolt pattern of your vehicle's hub and moves the wheel out. (Not recommended)

The technical terms are many and some are hard to understand. You choose how "cool" your custom wheels look and leave the tech stuff to the experts.