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Latest Tire News, Wheel Guides & Car Tips | Performance Plus Tire Blog

Where real-world experience meets expert tire and wheel advice. Get fitment tips, off-road and classic car know-how, and the latest tire tests—direct from our shop to your screen.

Meet Our Writers:
  • Hank Feldman — Founder & hot rod expert, sharing classic car knowledge, restoration tips, and vintage wheel insights. See profile
  • Dennis Feldman — Vice President & custom fitment specialist, writing about performance wheels, off-road setups, and tire tech. See profile

Want expert help right now? Contact our team or call 888-926-2689 for fitment support.

12 Best Rim Brands in 2026 (Expert-Tested & Ranked)

Posted May-02-26 at 12:00 PM By Hank Feldman
The 12 wheel brands that earned their spot in 2026, ranked by engineering, heritage, and real-world performance — from American Racing's muscle-car roots to Method's race-validated truck wheels.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Why Two Wheels With Identical Specs Fit Different Brakes (And How to Measure Yours)

Posted Apr-30-26 at 1:19 PM By Dennis Feldman
Dennis Feldman walks through how to measure brake caliper clearance — minimum gaps, the template method, and the 5 variables that decide fit.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

How Long Do Custom Wheels Actually Last? Engineering Lifespan by Material and Construction

Posted Apr-29-26 at 2:04 PM By Dennis Feldman
Custom wheels last 5-25+ years depending on material, construction, and care. Dennis breaks down lifespan by type and shows what actually kills them.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Are Wheel and Tire Packages Balanced?

Posted Apr-27-26 at 1:54 PM By Dennis Feldman
Yes, packages ship pre-balanced — but the standard varies. Here's what tolerance to expect, how to verify it, and when to re-balance.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

What is the Difference Between Car, Truck, and SUV Wheels?

Posted Apr-27-26 at 1:27 PM By Hank Feldman
Car, truck, and SUV wheels differ on load rating, bolt pattern, diameter, and construction. Here's what actually changes between them.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Hub-Centric vs Lug-Centric Wheels: What's the Difference and Does It Matter?

Posted Apr-24-26 at 8:00 AM By Hank Feldman
Hub-centric vs lug-centric wheels is one of those fitment details that separates a smooth install from a mystery vibration. Here's what the terms mean and when each one matters.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Why Did Classic Cars Have 14 and 15 Inch Wheels? The Engineering Story

Posted Apr-21-26 at 2:27 PM By Dennis Feldman
Classic cars weren't built on small wheels for style. Drum brakes, bias-ply tires, steel stamping limits, and rolling diameter math dictated the specs — here's the full engineering picture.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

What Are the Different Design Options for Custom Wheels?

Posted Apr-20-26 at 10:26 AM By Hank Feldman
Custom wheels have more design dimensions than most drivers realize. Here's the full breakdown — spokes, face, construction, finish, stance, and more.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Can Thieves Get Past Wheel Locks? What Actually Protects Your Wheels

Posted Apr-16-26 at 10:19 AM By Hank Feldman
Hank Feldman gives you the honest truth about wheel locks — how thieves beat them, which types actually work, and the layered approach that keeps your wheels safe.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

What Are Tuner Wheels? Performance, Weight, and Why They Matter

Posted Apr-16-26 at 9:19 AM By Dennis Feldman
Dennis Feldman explains what tuner wheels actually are, why lightweight construction matters for performance, and which brands deliver real results versus hype.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Big Meats Out Back: The Muscle Car Staggered Wheel and Tire Guide

Posted Apr-14-26 at 10:30 AM By Hank Feldman
Hank Feldman walks you through staggered wheel and tire setups for classic muscle cars — proven combos, backspacing tips, and the sizes that actually fit.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

15, 17, or 18 Inch Wheels on a Muscle Car — Which Size Actually Looks Right?

Posted Apr-13-26 at 1:06 PM By Dennis Feldman
Dennis Feldman breaks down how 15, 17, and 18 inch wheels change your muscle car's proportions, handling, and tire options — with real size pairings for every build.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Cast vs Flow Forged vs Forged Wheels: Which One Should You Actually Buy?

Posted Apr-11-26 at 8:59 AM By Dennis Feldman
Compare cast, flow forged, and forged wheels — real weight data, price ranges, and a clear guide to picking the right wheel construction for your vehicle.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Powder Coating Wheels Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Posted Apr-10-26 at 11:23 AM By Hank Feldman
Learn everything about powder coating wheels — costs, process, durability, and how it compares to paint. Expert guide from Performance Plus Tire.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Do Wheel Spacers Hurt Your Car? Everything You Need to Know

Posted Apr-09-26 at 9:53 AM By Hank Feldman
Do wheel spacers hurt your car? Get the expert truth on safety, wheel bearing damage, pros and cons, and how to choose the right spacers for daily driving.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Wheel Center Bore Explained: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying New Wheels

Posted Apr-08-26 at 1:08 PM By Hank Feldman
Learn what wheel center bore is, why it matters, how to measure it, and how to choose the right hub centric or lug centric setup for your vehicle.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

How to Measure Backspacing on Classic Car Rims: A Step-by-Step Guide That Gets It Right

Posted Apr-07-26 at 11:27 AM By Dennis Feldman
Learn exactly how to measure backspacing on classic car rims with Dennis Feldman's step-by-step guide. Includes offset conversion, common mistakes, and top recommendations.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Wheel Camber Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Posted Apr-06-26 at 10:47 AM By Dennis Feldman
Learn what wheel camber is, how camber angle affects tire wear and handling, and how to choose the right alignment settings for your vehicle.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Tire Mounting and Balancing Cost Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Posted Apr-03-26 at 1:22 PM By Dennis Feldman
Learn what tire mounting and balancing really costs in 2026, what affects pricing, and how to get the best value without cutting corners.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Steering Wheel Vibration: Is It Your Tires or Your Wheels? Everything You Need to Know

Posted Apr-02-26 at 2:35 PM By Dennis Feldman
Experiencing steering wheel shakes when braking or at high speeds? Learn how to diagnose whether your tires or wheels are causing the vibration and what to do about it.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

How to Fix Curb Rash on Wheels: DIY vs. Professional Repair Costs — The Ultimate Guide

Posted Apr-02-26 at 1:40 PM By Hank Feldman
Expert guide to fixing curb rash on alloy wheels. Compare DIY repair costs vs professional services, learn repair techniques, and discover when to replace vs repair damaged rims.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Are 17 Inch or 18 Inch Rims Better for Muscle Cars? Everything You Need to Know

Posted Mar-31-26 at 12:27 PM By Dennis Feldman
Expert analysis comparing 17 vs 18 inch wheels for muscle cars. Learn which size delivers better performance, handling, and value for your ride.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

What Else Is a Rim Called? Every Name for Your Wheels Explained

Posted Mar-26-26 at 12:39 PM By Hank Feldman
Rims, wheels, mags, alloys, rollers, hoops — there are a lot of names for the same thing. Here's what they all mean, where they came from, and when to use each one.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Why Is It Called Mags? The Real Story Behind the Name Everyone Uses Wrong

Posted Mar-26-26 at 12:14 PM By Dennis Feldman
Everyone calls their wheels mags — but almost nobody knows why. Here's the full history of how magnesium racing wheels became the most misunderstood term in automotive.

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Posted in: Car Wheels

Why Do People Change Their Rims? The Real Reasons Explained

Posted Mar-25-26 at 3:07 PM By Dennis Feldman
Curious why people swap out their rims? From style upgrades to performance gains and damage repair, here are the top reasons drivers change their wheels.

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Posted in: Car Wheels