Wolfrace Wheels FAQs

Choosing the correct alloy wheels involves more than the diameter. The PCD, size, width, offset, centre bore, load rating and brake clearance all need to match the vehicle. If you are unsure which Wolfrace wheels suit your car or van, contact the Explorer shop with the registration or the full vehicle details and we will help identify the right fitment.

PCD means pitch circle diameter. It describes how the bolt holes or studs are arranged, written as the number of holes and the diameter of the circle they sit on, for example 5x112. The wheel PCD must match the vehicle or the wheels will not fit correctly.

The method depends on how many studs the wheel has. On a wheel with an even number of studs, such as four or six, measure from the centre of one stud to the centre of the stud directly opposite. On a five-stud wheel, measure from the centre of one stud to the outer edge of the stud furthest away. If you are not sure, take a clear photo of the measurement and send it to us before you order.

Check the vehicle handbook, the existing wheel, or the fitment listed for your model on the Explorer shop. A registration check is more reliable than a guess. Send the registration, or a photo of the hub, and the Wolfrace team can confirm the stud pattern before you buy.

Yes. The number of studs and the pitch circle diameter both have to match the vehicle. A wheel with a similar size, such as 5x114.3 instead of 5x112, is not a fit. Do not use the wrong PCD.

Offset, usually shown as ET, is the position of the wheel's mounting face compared with the centreline of the wheel. It controls how far the wheel sits in or out of the arch, and the clearance around the suspension, brakes and bodywork.

ET is the offset measurement. A higher ET sits the wheel further in. A lower ET sits it further out. The right ET depends on the vehicle and the wheel, so it should be checked for that combination rather than copied from another car.

The centre bore is the hole in the middle of the wheel. It locates on the vehicle hub. It is part of the fitment, not a cosmetic detail. If the wheel bore is larger than the hub, a suitable spigot ring may be needed.

Spigot rings fill the gap between a larger wheel centre bore and a smaller hub so the wheel sits centrally. Not every vehicle and wheel combination needs them. Check the fitting information for your wheels before they are installed.

No. Wheels are specific to the vehicle. Two alloys with the same diameter can have different PCDs, offsets, centre bores, load ratings or inner profiles. Check the full specification against the vehicle before you buy.

Brake clearance depends on the wheel diameter, width, offset and the shape inside the wheel, as well as the brakes on the vehicle. If the vehicle has larger, upgraded or non-standard brakes, contact Wolfrace before you order so the specification can be checked.

Yes, you can fit alloy wheels yourself if you have the correct equipment, the knowledge and a safe place to work. Wolfrace strongly recommends that the wheels are fitted by a qualified professional. Fitting is safety-critical, and a professional should check that the wheels are seated correctly, the fasteners are right for the vehicle, and nothing is touching the brakes, suspension or bodywork before you drive. If you are not completely confident, do not fit them yourself.

Before you drive, the wheels should be seated correctly, the fasteners installed and tightened to the requirement specified for that vehicle or wheel, and the tyres inflated to the correct pressure. There should be no obvious contact between the wheel or tyre and the brakes, suspension or bodywork. Follow the fitting requirements supplied for your vehicle and wheels rather than a single figure that applies to every car.

The bolts have to suit both the vehicle and the wheel. Thread size, thread length and the shape of the bolt seat can all stop a bolt fitting. Never force a bolt that does not seat properly. Contact Wolfrace if you are not sure which bolts you need.

If a bolt does not turn in smoothly by hand, stop. Check the thread, the bolt specification, how the wheel is sitting, and any dirt around the mounting face. Do not force it and do not cross-thread it. If you are unsure, have the wheels checked by a qualified professional.

Rubbing usually means there is not enough clearance between the wheel or tyre and the suspension, brakes or bodywork. If you hear or feel contact, stop and find the cause rather than driving on. Contact Wolfrace if you need help working out whether it is a fitment issue.

The weights balance the wheel and tyre as a pair. Small differences in the wheel or the tyre can make the assembly vibrate as it turns. The weights correct that.

Every wheel and tyre is slightly different, so the amount of weight needed can vary from one corner to the next. More weight on one wheel does not, by itself, mean there is a fault.

Vibration after a wheel change can come from the balance, the tyre pressure, how the wheel is seated, an incorrect fitment, or something else on the vehicle. If it continues, have the wheels and tyres checked before you drive at higher speeds.

Use the pressure specified for your vehicle, the tyre and the load. It is normally in the handbook or on the tyre-pressure label on the vehicle. The number moulded on the tyre sidewall is not the recommended running pressure.

Not always. Some vehicles and some tyres have different front and rear requirements, and a directional tyre has to keep turning the right way. Check the vehicle and tyre specification before you change positions.

A directional tyre is built to rotate one way. The sidewall usually has an arrow showing that direction. It has to be fitted so the arrow points forward when the vehicle is moving.

New tyres can carry residue from fitting. Warm water and a soft sponge or brush will usually remove it. Do not use harsh chemicals or anything abrasive on the tyre or the wheel finish.

It depends on the vehicle's tyre pressure monitoring system and the sensors used with the new wheels. On some vehicles the existing sensors can move across. On others, new compatible sensors have to be fitted, programmed or relearned.

If the vehicle uses a direct tyre pressure monitoring system, the wheels may need compatible sensors. The requirement depends on the vehicle and the system, so check it before you order.

The light can come on if the car has not recognised the sensors, if they have not been programmed, or if there is a pressure or sensor fault. The reset or relearn steps are different on each vehicle.

Our TPMS sensors are pre-programmed in-house before they are sent out. You should not need to programme them yourself. If a warning light stays on, or a sensor does not register after the wheels are fitted, contact us and we will help with the next step for your vehicle.

Some Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Relay vehicles have a rear hub or centre-cap layout that affects aftermarket wheels. Depending on the exact van and the wheel, extra clearance may be needed.

Wolfrace lists wheels for a range of van applications, including 5x118 and 5x130. Whether a wheel fits depends on the exact vehicle and the wheel model, not the badge alone. Check the full fitment, or ask us to confirm it.

Only if the wheel suits that carrier and stays within its size and weight limits. Check the carrier maker's requirements before you fit a different spare.

Not automatically. A spare still has to match the vehicle: PCD, offset, centre bore, tyre, load rating and brake clearance. Check that before you rely on an alloy as a spare.

Stop and check any knocking, scraping or other noise from the wheels or tyres. It can be contact with part of the vehicle, or a problem with the installation. If you cannot see the cause, have the vehicle inspected by a qualified professional.

Do not keep driving. Stop somewhere safe and have the wheel and its fasteners inspected. A wheel that is not secured properly is a serious safety risk.

Do not drive with wheel hardware missing. The replacement has to be the correct specification for both the vehicle and the wheel. Contact Wolfrace or a qualified wheel specialist rather than using a fastener that only looks similar.