A second set of tires already mounted on their own rims is one of the best money-savers for Edmonton drivers. Every spring and fall you swap wheels instead of re-mounting tires, which is faster, cheaper and easier on the tires. Used wheel sets show up on Marketplace and Kijiji all the time. The catch: the wheels have to fit your vehicle, not only the tires.
The four numbers that matter
1. Bolt pattern (PCD)
Written like 5x114.3: five lug holes on a 114.3 mm circle. This must match your vehicle exactly. 5x114.3 and 5x115 look almost the same and are not interchangeable. Look up your vehicle's bolt pattern before you shop, and ask the seller for theirs.
2. Rim diameter and width
Diameter (for example 17 inches) must suit the tire and clear your brakes. Bigger brakes on some trims will not clear a smaller rim. Width is usually stamped as something like 7J or 7.5J and should be in the range the tire maker approves for that tire size.
3. Offset
Offset, stamped as ET40 or +40, is how far the mounting face sits from the centre of the wheel, in millimetres. It decides whether the wheel sits further in toward the suspension or further out toward the fender. Too far off your original spec and the tire can rub, or the wheel can hit suspension parts. Staying within a few millimetres of factory is the safe zone.
4. Centre bore
The hole in the middle of the wheel that fits over your vehicle's hub. On a hub-centric fit, the wheel centres on the hub. If the used wheel's bore is larger than your hub, you need hub-centric rings to centre it and prevent vibration. If it is smaller, it will not go on at all.
Lug nuts and bolts
Steel wheels and alloy wheels often use different lug nuts. The seat shape (conical, ball or flat) has to match the wheel. Wrong lug nuts can work loose. Ask if the set comes with the right hardware, and if not, budget for a set.
Factory wheels from the same model are the easy win
The simplest used set is factory wheels from the same make and model as yours, the same generation. Even then, double-check the bolt pattern and size, because trims and model years can differ.
TPMS sensors
Newer vehicles watch tire pressure with sensors inside each wheel. A used set without sensors usually means a warning light on your dash all season. See TPMS sensors and used wheels.
Before you buy
- Check for bends, cracks and heavy corrosion around the bead seat, where the tire seals. Corrosion there causes slow leaks.
- Spin each wheel by hand if you can and watch the edge for wobble.
- Ask whether the set was balanced at the last swap.
Once you have them, a seasonal swap at our garage in Laurel, South Edmonton is priced per tire and does not include balancing. If the set has not been balanced recently, add balancing. See Tire change, seasonal swap or balancing.
As always with parts you buy yourself, confirming fitment is your responsibility. Include the wheel specs when you book.