ET Disk Departure: Decoding the Notations, How to Measure and Why It’s Critical for Security

What is a disk outlet and why it is confused with other parameters

Disk departure (most often referred to as ET German EinpressTiefe) is the distance between the wheel landing plane and the imaginary centre line of the rim. This parameter determines how deep the wheel "drows" in the arch or, conversely, protrudes outward. An error in the departure even by 5-10 mm can lead to accelerated wear of hub bearings, deformation of suspension elements and loss of handling at high speeds.

Many car owners confuse departure with such parameters as: rim width (J) or centre-hole diameter (DIA). For example, the inscription ET45 disk-based 45 mmNot width or diameter! To avoid costly mistakes, it is important to understand that flying is a big deal. geometricalNot the physical size of the disk. It directly affects the distribution of loads on the suspension and steering.

Car manufacturers calculate the optimal departure for each model, taking into account the weight of the car, the type of suspension and the expected operating conditions. For example, Volkswagen Golf VII standard flight of front wheels. ET48ooh Toyota Land Cruiser 200 — ET25. Installing discs with an incorrect departure can lead to the fact that the wheel will touch the underwing or elements of the brake system.

How to denote the departure of the disk: decoding the markings ET, J, DEPORT

On the disk, departure is indicated by a combination of letters and numbers, but not always this is the case. ET. Depending on the country of origin and labeling standards, the following options can be found:

• 🔹 ET (The most common variant is used by European and Asian manufacturers, for example, in the United States.) BBS, OZ Racing, Enkei).
• 🔹 DEPORT (It is found on French-made discs, for example, in the Citroën or Peugeot).
• 🔹 OFFSET (English-language labeling, often used on discs of American brands, such as: American Racing or Foose).
• 🔹 Without lettering: sometimes the departure is indicated simply by a number (for example, +42 or -12), where the sign "+" or "-" is of critical importance.

The figure after the designation shows the departure value in millimeters. It is important to pay attention to the sign:

• 📏 ET30 or +30 - positive departure (the disk is "sunk" inside the arch).
• 📏 ET-15 or -15 negative departure (disc protrudes outwards).
• 📏 ET0 - zero departure (landing plane coincides with the central line of the rim).

For example, the following marking may be applied on the disk: 7.5Jx17 ET45 DIA57.1. Here:

• 7.5J - rim width in inches (with letter) J, denoting the shape of the edge.
• 17 - landing diameter in inches.
• ET45 departure 45 mm.
• DIA57.1 - diameter of the centering hole.

Positive, negative and zero flight: what is the difference?

There are three types of departure, and each of them affects the behavior of the car on the road. Let’s see how they differ and what consequences the wrong choice can have.

Type of departure	Designation	Impact on the car	Typical cars
Positive.	ET20–ET50	The wheel is "sunk" in the arch, reduces the load on the hub bearing, but can narrow the track. Suitable for city cars.	VW Polo, Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Solaris
Zero.	ET0	The landing plane coincides with the central axis of the disk. It provides a balance between handling and loading on the suspension.	BMW 3 Series (E46), Subaru Impreza
Negative.	ET-10–ET-30	The wheel protrudes beyond the arch, increases the track and improves stability, but increases the load on bearings and steering.	Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Patrol, tuning-cars

Automakers rarely use negative departure on production cars, as this increases the risk of breakdowns. However, it is popular in tuning, where a wide track is important to improve the appearance and handling. For example, on Mercedes-Benz G-Class frequently install departure disks ET-20But that requires modification of the suspension.

⚠️ Attention: Installing negative departure discs on a vehicle not designed for this purpose may result in flogging In 10,000 to 15,000. km. This is especially dangerous for front-wheel drive vehicles, where the load on bearings is higher.

How to measure the drive departure yourself: step-by-step instructions

If the marking on the disk is erased or you doubt its reliability, the flight can be measured independently. This will require:

• 📏 Line or rod (more precisely).
• 📐 Corner or flat rake.
• 🔧 Key to remove the wheel (if the disc is installed on the car).

Sequence of action:

1. Remove the wheel from the car and place the disk on a flat surface face-down.
2. Measure the width of the rim (A) is the distance between the inner edges of the edges.
3. Turn the disk and put a flat rack on it so that it touches the landing plane (the place where the disk is attached to the hub).
4. Measure the distance from the bottom of the rim to the rake (B).

Now use the formula:

ET = (B - A/2) × 1

Where:

• A - rim width in mm.
• B distance from the bottom to the landing plane in mm.

Example: if the width of the rim 200 mmand distance B = 120 mm..

ET = (120 - 200/2) = (120 - 100) = +20 mm

Make sure the disc is clean and not deformed |

Use a precise tool (a bar is better than a ruler)|

Measure on a flat surface without distortion |

Repeat the measurement 2-3 times for accuracy.

If the disc is already installed on the car, you can measure the departure indirectly:

1. Apply a flat rack to the rim so that it touches the outer and inner edges.
2. Measure the distance from the rail to the landfill plane (C).
3. Measure the width of the disc with the protrusions (D).

Formula for installed disc:

ET = C - D/2

⚠️ Attention: Measurement of departure on the installed wheel is less accurate due to possible mounting errors. For critical cases (for example, before buying discs), it is better to remove the wheel.

Consequences of improper departure: from vibration to accident

Many car owners underestimate the importance of departure, believing that the main thing is the diameter and width of the disk. But the error in the departure, even on 5-10 mm It can lead to serious problems:

• 🔧 Accelerated wear of hub bearings (2-3 times faster than normal).
• 🚗 Vibration of the steering wheel at speeds above 80-100 km / h.
• 🔄 Uneven tyre wear (especially the inside or outside of the house).
• 💥 Breakdown of suspension elements (levers, shock absorbers, Silentblocks).
• 🚨 Loss of controllability with sharp maneuvers (especially on rear-wheel drive cars).

Example of practice: Ford Focus III landlord set up departure discs ET35 staff-up ET50. In 8,000. The vibration of the steering wheel appeared, and after 15 thousand km. mile flogging at 110 km/h. The repair cost 25,000. RUB, whereas the correct disks would cost 12 thousand.

Another common mistake is installing disks from flight-off for front-wheel drive vehicles (e.g., Lada Vesta or Kia Rio). This leads to:

• Increased load on SRUSS (Hinges of equal angular velocities).
• Worsening fall-out (Even after adjustment, the parameters will “go away”).
• Risk. slinging of the wheel for suspension elements with the steering wheel turned full.

Departure compatibility table for popular cars

To avoid errors, we have collected data on standard departures for popular models. Please note: these values may vary depending on the year of production and modification of the car.

Make and model	Standard departure (ET), mm	Permissible deviation, mm	Notes
Lada Granta/Vesta	ET35–ET40	±3	On versions with ABS, it is possible to narrow down to ET38.
Toyota Camry (XV70)	ET45	±2	Hybrid version is allowed ET42.
Volkswagen Passat B8	ET48–ET50	±1	On versions with all-wheel drive (4Motion) departure strictly ET48.
Hyundai Tucson (TL)	ET40	±4	For the discs. R18 and above possible flight ET38.
Nissan Qashqai (J11)	ET38–ET40	±3	On versions with a 2.0 L engine, departure is strictly ET40.

If your model is not in the table, you can find the standard departure:

• 📄 V manual The car (section "Wheels and tires").
• 🔧 Nana door-sticker (Near the recommended tire pressure)
• 🌍 Nana official website of the manufacturer in the section of technical characteristics.
• 🔍 Through VIN decoder (e.g. on websites) Autocod or CarVertical).

⚠️ Attention: Even if the drive crashes into a “permissible deviation”, check whether the wheel touches the suspension elements at a full steering wheel or maximum load of the car.

What to do if the desired departure is not on sale?

If you can not find discs with an accurate departure, you can use lay-out (adapters), but only if the conditions are met:

1. The squats should be certified And you can fit your model of car.

2. The thickness of the stretcher shall not exceed 10-15 mm (Otherwise, the geometry of the suspension will be broken).

3. Be sure to check the compatibility PCS (blogging) and DIA (center hole).

4. After installing the paddles necessarily Make a break-up.

Use of parking spaces on cars with electronic assistance systems (ESP, ABS) can cause a disruption to their work!

Frequent questions about the disk departure (FAQ)

Can I use ET30 instead of ET45?

This will cause the wheel to move outwards. 15 mmThis will increase the load on the hub bearings and can cause the wheel to hit the arch when cornering. The standard deviation for most vehicles is ± 3 mm.

Which flight is better for tuning: positive or negative?

A negative departure visually expands the track and improves stability, but requires modification of the suspension (elongated hubs, reinforced bearings). For most production cars it is safer to use zero departure (ET0).

Does the flight affect fuel consumption?

Yes, but indirectly. The wrong departure increases the rolling resistance and the load on the suspension, which can increase fuel consumption on the flight. 3–7%. Also, aerodynamics deteriorates due to the change in the position of the wheel in the arch.

Can I drive on a disc with an incorrect departure if there is no vibration?

Vibration is only one of the symptoms. Even if it is not, the wrong flight leads to fast-wear bearings, Silentblocks and ball supports. We recommend returning the flight during the 5,000 to 10,000. km.

How to check the flight on used disks without marking?

Use it. measurement with a rake and a rod. You can also contact the tire assembly, where the departure will be measured on a special stand (the service costs about a few minutes). 300-500 rubles).