How Plus-Sizing Wheels Transforms Your Vehicle's Look & Feel
Plus-sizing wheels is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your vehicle, delivering a dramatic transformation in both appearance and performance. This practice involves replacing your standard wheels, typically OEM, with larger diameter options while maintaining the original overall tire diameter through the use of lower-profile tires. The result is a more aggressive stance, improved handling, and a personalized look that sets your vehicle apart. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about wheel plus-sizing to make an informed decision for your vehicle.
Understanding Plus-Sizing Basics
What is Plus-Sizing?
Plus sizing is the practice of replacing a wheel with one of a larger diameter fitted with a new tire of lower aspect ratio so that the new tire has close to the same diameter and circumference as the original tire. This approach minimizes changes to speedometer accuracy, torque, and traction control systems while reducing sidewall flex and generally improving cornering ability.
The concept works by maintaining the overall tire diameter while changing two key components:
- Increasing the wheel diameter
- Decreasing the tire’s aspect ratio (sidewall height)
This combination allows you to upgrade your wheels without affecting the vehicle’s electronic systems or creating clearance issues, all while enhancing the vehicle’s aesthetics and performance.
Types of Plus-Sizing
There are several degrees of plus-sizing, each offering different levels of visual impact and performance changes:
Plus Zero: This involves changing to a wider tire while keeping the same wheel diameter. For example, going from a 205/60R16 to a 215/55R16 maintains the same 16-inch wheel but uses a wider tire with a slightly shorter sidewall.
Plus One: Increasing wheel diameter by one inch (e.g., from 16 to 17 inches). For instance, upgrading from a 16×6.5 wheel with 205/55R-16 tires to a 17×7 wheel with 225/45R-17 tires. This provides better handling and cornering at some cost to ride quality.
Plus Two: Increasing wheel diameter by two inches (e.g., from 16 to 18 inches). Following our example, this would be moving to an 18×8 wheel with 235/40R-18 tires. This option provides enhanced style and responsiveness but further reduces ride quality.
Plus Three: Increasing wheel diameter by three inches (e.g., from 16 to 19 inches). This maximum common size increase offers dramatic styling but significantly impacts suspension and ride quality, making vehicles more vulnerable to damage from potholes, curbs, and other road hazards.
Visual Benefits
Aesthetic Improvements
Plus-sizing creates an immediate visual upgrade for any vehicle. Larger wheels fill out the wheel wells more, creating a more planted and aggressive stance that transforms your vehicle’s character.
The aesthetic impact comes from changing the wheel-to-tire proportion. As noted by automotive enthusiasts, “alloy wheels are more attractive than tire sidewalls, and bigger wheels combined with shorter tire sidewalls produce a powerful image”. This visual enhancement is one of the primary reasons plus-sizing has become increasingly popular across all vehicle segments.
For many vehicles, the factory wheel size often appears undersized relative to the wheel wells, particularly in modern designs that feature larger wheel arches. Plus-sizing corrects this visual imbalance, giving your vehicle a more proportionate and purposeful appearance.
Customization Options
Beyond size, plus-sizing opens up an extensive world of customization possibilities with a wider selection of wheel designs, finishes, and styles:
Contemporary Designs: Larger wheel diameters allow for more intricate spoke patterns and design elements that wouldn’t be possible on smaller wheels.
Premium Finishes: From machined faces with contrasting gloss black to brushed clear coat and gunmetal, larger wheels showcase these finishes more effectively.
Vehicle-Specific Styling: Different wheel styles can dramatically alter your vehicle’s character—from sophisticated multi-spoke designs for luxury vehicles to aggressive directional patterns for sports cars.
Performance Advantages
Improved Handling and Stability
Plus-sizing isn’t just about looks—it delivers tangible performance benefits that you’ll feel every time you drive:
Wider tires create larger contact patches with the road, significantly enhancing traction and grip. This increased road contact translates to more confident cornering and better stability during high-speed maneuvers.
Additionally, the shorter sidewalls that come with plus-sizing reduce tire flex during aggressive driving. By lowering the tire’s aspect ratio, the wheel and tire combo become less squishy, resulting in much sharper and quicker response times.
Wider contact patch and minimal sidewall flex transforms how your vehicle handles in all driving conditions, especially during spirited drives on the canyon or even on a truck.
Enhanced Braking Performance
The performance benefits extend to braking as well. Larger wheels can accommodate bigger brakes, while wider tires with more road contact improve stopping distances.
This improvement in braking performance provides both a safety advantage and greater driver confidence, particularly during emergency maneuvers or performance driving.
Driving Dynamics
Beyond measurable performance improvements, plus-sizing creates a noticeable change in how your vehicle feels to drive:
- More responsive steering with reduced delay between input and vehicle response
- Enhanced road feedback that connects you more directly to the driving surface
- Sportier, more precise handling that makes every drive more engaging
- Improved high-speed stability that creates confidence during highway driving
While these benefits come with some trade-offs in ride comfort, many drivers find the more connected and responsive driving experience well worth the compromise.
How to Choose the Right Plus-Size Setup
The ideal plus-size setup depends on your vehicle type, driving preferences, and intended use:
Daily Drivers: Plus One sizing often provides the best balance of visual improvement, performance enhancement, and ride comfort. This moderate increase delivers noticeable benefits without significantly compromising everyday usability.
Performance-Oriented Vehicles: Plus Two sizing offers more dramatic styling and sharper handling for enthusiasts who prioritize performance and are willing to accept a firmer ride.
Show Cars or Custom Builds: Plus Three sizing creates maximum visual impact but requires careful consideration of practical limitations and may be best suited for vehicles that aren’t daily drivers.
Your vehicle type also influences the optimal choice—sports cars often accommodate more aggressive sizing than luxury sedans or SUVs designed for comfort. In the end, it comes down to how you plan on driving your car.
Sometimes wheel plus-sizing isn’t even necessary. A good example of that is the BMW M340i, which comes with OEM 19 inch wheels. In a situation like that, you can avoid plus-sizing entirely and solely focus on increasing track by opting for a wider wheel rather than a bigger wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bigger can I go with my wheels without causing issues?
Most vehicles can safely accommodate a Plus One or Plus Two upgrade without significant modifications. The ideal size depends on your specific vehicle make and model, with proper fitment research being essential before purchasing.
Will plus-sizing void my vehicle's warranty?
Minor changes like Plus One sizing typically don't affect your vehicle's warranty for unrelated components. However, if a failure is directly attributed to your wheel/tire modification, it might not be covered. Always consult your dealer for specific information. Then again, you gotta pay to play.
How will plus-sizing affect my fuel economy?
There may be a small impact on fuel economy, particularly with significantly heavier wheels. Maintaining the proper overall diameter helps minimize this effect, but you might notice a slight decrease in efficiency. To mitigate this, opt for a Flow Forged set.
Do I need to reprogram my vehicle's computer or sensors after plus-sizing?
If you maintain the original overall diameter within 1% to 3% tolerances, reprogramming is typically unnecessary. Your speedometer, odometer, and electronic systems should continue to function normally.
Can I use my factory TPMS sensors with new wheels?
In many cases, yes. Factory TPMS sensors can often be transferred to new wheels, though some may require new valve stems or adapters depending on the wheel design.
To Size or Not to Size?
Plus-sizing wheels and tires represents one of the most transformative upgrades available for your vehicle, delivering a powerful combination of enhanced aesthetics and improved performance. When executed correctly, this modification creates a more visually striking appearance while providing more responsive handling, better grip, and an overall more engaging driving experience.
The key to successful plus-sizing lies in selecting the right combination for your specific vehicle and driving preferences, ensuring proper fitment, and understanding the trade-offs involved. With the right approach, you can dramatically transform both the look and feel of your vehicle while maintaining reliability and functionality.
Whether you’re seeking a modest enhancement with a Plus One upgrade or a dramatic transformation with a Plus Two or Three package, the right wheel and tire combination can reinvent your vehicle’s personality and elevate your driving experience to new heights.