#TechTip: Hubcentric vs Lugcentric Wheels

Wheels: They’re what makes the world go round.

Wheels are one of the most common mods for petrolheads and non-petrolheads alike. Why? They can improve handling, performance, and styling (depending on your taste).

Wheels: They’re what makes the world go round.

Wheels are one of the most common mods for petrolheads and non-petrolheads alike. Why? They can improve handling, performance, and styling (depending on your taste).

Hubcentric vs Lugcentric

#TechTip: Hubcentric vs Lugcentric Wheels

So what’s the difference between a hubcentric and a lugcentric wheel? Many don’t know, but here’s the easy answer:

Hubcentric wheels have specifically sized center holes which fit perfectly over the hub of the wheel. This allows the wheel to center itself, and it puts the weight load mostly on the hub.

Lugcentric wheels generally have larger center holes that do not fit snugly over the hub. This allows them to fit on a wider variety of cars, and the weight of the car is taken primarily by the lugs of the car. Many aftermarket wheels are this way.

So what does this mean?

This means that if you have lugcentric wheels, you need to be more careful during installation to make sure they’re centering properly on your studs when you tighten them down. Improper installation can lead to vibrations while driving, especially at higher speeds. It’s also important to remember that your weight is being shifted to a less desirable part of the vehicle.

Can I Fix This?

Fear not. There are adapters that will allow you to fill in that gap and will help center your aftermarket wheels on your stock hubs. They’re called hubcentric adapters, and they look a bit like this.

Hubcentric rings
Hubcentric rings

Do you run hubcentric or lugcentric wheels? Comment your answer below!

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Comments

Walter Staley

There was this one kid at my school with an older MR2 that put the wheels from a ford edge (I think) on it. The hubs didn’t match up and there wasn’t much thread on the studs that was actually being used (wheels were too thick) so his wheel studs were seriously messed up.

02/18/2016 - 01:15 |
1 | 1
Anonymous

I have 2 sets of hubcentric wheels on my C280, and I’m gonna buy lugcentric wheels with adapters for the 2002 soon

02/18/2016 - 01:32 |
5 | 1
Matthew Beard

One of those looks Thugcentric.

02/18/2016 - 01:35 |
163 | 1

Winning

02/18/2016 - 02:38 |
2 | 0

here, take these

02/18/2016 - 13:58 |
15 | 0
Nissan 180SX (Sileighty/Sil80)

Poor RX-7…

02/18/2016 - 01:43 |
11 | 0
Open Throttle

Ideally you want your rim setup to be lugcentric and hub centric. I am yet to meet someone whom enjoys driving around on lugcentric rims only

02/18/2016 - 01:43 |
0 | 3
Anonymous

That’s just sad

02/18/2016 - 02:11 |
1 | 0
Tyler Rampersaud

Stock so hi centric I guess

02/18/2016 - 02:16 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I actually didn’t know this because I never bought aftermarket rims. Very informative since I plan on it later this year.

02/18/2016 - 02:52 |
3 | 0
Jake Orr

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Glad it helped you!

02/19/2016 - 00:29 |
0 | 0
Lamp

My wheels are 73.1 and my car is a 70.3. Do i need those rings.

02/18/2016 - 03:20 |
0 | 0
Martin 4

In reply to by Lamp

If you never drive faster then about 60mph / 100kmh then no - if you do, you should center them right… here in Germany it’s not legal fit the wheels lugcentric…

02/18/2016 - 06:02 |
2 | 0
Carlos Matas

Didnt undestand a single sht, neither tried, but here is mi like

02/18/2016 - 07:05 |
1 | 3