Wheel offset refers to the distance between the mounting pad of the wheel and the centerline. It determines how the wheels mount in the wheel wells and affects the space available on either side of the wheel. There are three types of wheel offset: positive, zero, and negative. Positive offset means the mounting surface is further away from the centerline, zero offset means the mounting surface is in line with the centerline, and negative offset means the mounting surface is behind the wheel centerline. Proper offset is crucial to ensure that the new wheel and tire package has enough clearance and does not rub against the suspension, brakes, or vehicle body. It is also important for driving safety, as the wrong offset can reduce vehicle stability or interfere with braking. Therefore, understanding wheel offset is essential when customizing a vehicle with aftermarket wheels and tires.