What does wheel offset refer to?

Wheel offset is a critical measurement that refers to the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the hub mounting surface, which is the area where the wheel is attached to the vehicle. The offset can affect many aspects of vehicle handling and tire wear.

A positive offset means that the hub mounting surface is closer to the vehicle's front, pushing the wheel further outboard, while a negative offset indicates the opposite. Understanding the offset is crucial for ensuring proper wheel fitment, alignment, and clearance with suspension components, brakes, and fenders.

The other options relate to different aspects of wheels but do not define what wheel offset specifically is. The weight of the wheel, the size of the wheels, and the type of tire used each reflect different characteristics that can affect performance but do not pertain to the measurement of offset directly.