Understanding Staggered Wheels: What They Are and Why You May Want Them
Staggered Wheel Fitment
It’s okay to absolutely love your car, some people even name them. After all, it’s like another member of the family and gets you from one place to the next.
Statistics from 2015, showed that 90.9 percent of Americans own a car. Many of these car owners spruce up their car with staggered wheels.
If you have been thinking about adding these types of wheels to your vehicle then it is one of the best options out there. However, you may not be sure exactly what staggered wheels are and how you can benefit from them.
If you would like to know more about staggered wheels, then read on!
1. What are Staggered Wheels?
Wheel staggering is an asymmetrical arrangement of the wheels on a vehicle. This means that the rear wheels of the vehicle are larger than those in the front.
The wheels are usually larger by just a few inches. Popular sizes are 18-inch staggered wheels and 20-inch staggered wheels.
2. Experience an Improvement in Traction
When you stagger the wheels on your vehicle one of the first things you will notice is that it improves traction. This means that the tires grip the road more securely.
This grip improves the car’s acceleration. The vehicle’s braking ability is also increased and this enhances the vehicle’s ability to handle speed.
3. Improvement in Balance
The ability of staggered wheels to improve balance is one of the reasons it is used on airplanes. It balances the aircraft when it lands and also when it takes off. This has the same balancing effect on cars.
Staggered wheels on cars allow for greater weight distribution and this improves the overall balance of the vehicle. Making it more likely that the vehicle will not crash if a dangerous situation occurs.
This is normal for vehicles with vehicles that are heavy in the front. If the driver accidentally manipulates the accelerator, the front-engine, rear-wheel drive car can switch from understeer to oversteer. Rapid changes in the speed of the driving rear wheel may cause violent rotation.
4. Aesthetic Appeal and Maneuverability
There is something fierce looking about a car with staggered wheels and this is one of the main reasons that people get them. That imposing look makes the vehicle command attention.
However, aside from this obvious aesthetic value, these wheels improve the maneuverability of the vehicle. More specifically it improves the turning radius of the vehicle. This means that the vehicle becomes easier to manage on scary winding roads or for those times when you just need to make a sharp turn on any road. Staggered wheels make it more manageable for vehicles to make sharp turns and look cooler on the road.
- Take note that staggered wheels are only for rear wheel drive cars, since larger rear wheels can provide more power on the track. Applying this can be a danger for owners of front- and 4-wheel drive vehicles, 4WD equipment may damage the vehicle’s powertrain and may cause the vehicle to operate in an unexpected or very unusual way that can lead to accidents.
Final Thoughts on Staggered Wheels
Understanding staggered tire setup and how it works makes it easier to decide if they are right for your needs.
When it comes to upgrading the look and performance of your vehicle, staggered wheels are a good choice. The best thing is that the look is affordable so you won’t need to break the bank.
Staggered wheels also improve the safety of your vehicle since they allow the tires to grip the road more firmly. This helps to increase the acceleration of the vehicle. When the acceleration on your car is improved it helps to increase safety in those times when you need some speed. Searching for the perfect staggered fitment is a learning experience, it also depends on your driving style, weather and the road you are driving on.
Now that you know what staggered wheels are and if you have decided to give your vehicle an upgrade, here at Audio City USA, you can talk to our specialist for a better understanding and we can provide staggered wheels according to your vehicle’s fitment.