I read through the tires, wheels, and suspension section and i'm still confused on the offset.
Can someone explain this to me more clearly?
+/- offset

a lower offset means the wheel well is further out towards the road and a higher offset means the wheel well is mounted further in towards the motor correct?

If there is a offset of +10 for example, does that mean it has a fat lip like VIP rims?
and what are spacers used for? Is it to add more offset?

 

oh yeah, whats the widest tires any one has ever put on a tsx for daily driving? I'm looking for the best performance tires at a decent price, say around $700 new

 

Center of the wheel is 0

 

the more positive the offset, the more "inside" the wheel goes. the less positive the offset, the more "outside" the wheel goes.

 

cool, I understand better now. Thanks for helping!
has anyone used wide tires on your car? maybe 235s or higher

 

Tire size is dependent on wheel size... if you're running stock 17x7, I wouldn't go higher than a 225 series (though it has been done). If you're running 7.5-8" wheel width or more, 235+ is more doable/appropriate.

 

Offset= offset from center
So if a rim has an offset of 0 the hub is directly in the center.
If the hub is not in the center it is either offset to one side or the other, therefore you have +'s (positive offset) or -'s (negative offset)
TSX stock is +55, so the hub is pushed 55mm off of direct center. Since it's a positive, the hub is pushed 55mm to the outside of center.

 

so if i want to have the wheel flush with the fender i should choose higher offset? or wider tires?

 

you would need the correct offset. it all depends on the wheels you get and the tires mounted on them.

 

As explained, the higher the number the more in the wheel well it is (closer to the car) +55 is OEM. The lower the number then the further away it is, more towards the outside, +32 for instance would sit rather flush.

There are different offsets for different rims, I have seen rims with a +10 and 0 offset...I think they were Work Meisters. So yea you can buy them, will they fit on the TSX? No, doubt it. Never seen it done and doubt I ever will...at least on a dropped TSX.

Spacers are used to increase the offset. For instance, you want to play it safe and buy a higher offset rim like a +42 or so and then you decide you want it more flush then you can buy a plethora of spacers out there to push it out more to look more flush.

P.S. the more flush look you want then the more "aggressive" the rim size and offset you want. More in the 30's range for the more flushed out look. Please note that the offset will also depend on the width of the rim you're choosing. If you choose a rim like I did with a 7.5" width and a +42 offset then it will need a larger spacer to become more flush opposed to an 8.5" rim with the same offset. I think I addressed all the concerns correctly, if not please correct me.