Typically used to install larger tires, wheel spacers are devices that fit over a vehicle’s holding bracket to create extra clearance between the wheel and the wheel hub assembly. In other words, wheel spacers increase the offset or the distance between the wheel and the wheel hub assembly. Wheel spacers are matched with a vehicle’s bolt pattern and fit over the existing studs, allowing the wheel to be mounted normally. Without wheel spacers certain custom wheels would sit too close to the existing component of the vehicle such as the inner wheel well. Beside the obvious benefit of allowing larger tires to be mounted on a vehicle, wheel spacers also can lead to increased vehicle performance and a more unique appearance.

Many people use wheel spacers in order to increase their vehicle’s handling, namely its traction. The further a wheel is mounted from the hub assembly the better its grip, or traction, is when cornering, to an extent. And because the wheels sit further away from the hub assembly when using wheel spacers the traction that a vehicle has when cornering is improved. Wheel spacers are also used merely to extend the wheels outward from the vehicle to give it a more interesting look.