I found some 15" x 6.5" alloys which claim to fit the Prius C but have 42mm offset instead of 40. How critical is this? Would I need spacers?
Since the website recommends them for the Prius C I figure they probably would no cause any rubbing, but how would it affect the handling, tire wear, etc? I have found wheels that have 42, 40 and 38 mm offsets so there must be a technical reason why they give them such an exact number.
If you look behind your wheels on the front, the strut tower is about a hands width from the tire. If you choose an incorrect backspacing, you will get closer to this. When the tire flexes from road undulations, the tire will rub on this tower.
Thats a change of 2mm, I can assure you thats its not going to hurt anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The manufacture gives you a little more wiggle room than 2mm.
My OEM wheels are 45mm offset and we mounted 40mm with 195/55x15 tires. There should no problem mounting 42 mm offset wheels as long as you don't exceed 195 section tires; you can indeed use spacers, say 1/4" or 6mm, to reduce the offset by 6 mm, or 1/8" or 3 mm, to reduce the offset by 3 mm. DO NOT EXCEED 1/4" spacers. And if you increase the weight of the tires you should slightly decease the tire diameter so you won't harm your acceleration or mpg. Use tirerack.com to check the weights of tires.
Yes, he should be fine... I was just saying to make sure not to pick one that is outside that wiggle room.
Can some one tell me if I switch to wheels with the same stock tires that came with me C, will there be any issue? New wheels are: Offset 35MM, 4X100 bolt pattern, 15X5.5 Wheel. I am concern with the offset as is seems stock is 38.5 MM.
