I just purchased my first manual car and I'm doin fine, ill post some pics up soon. I need a new rim though, one of my rears has a huge chunk missing and I feel it isnt safe for the tire. Since the guy I bought it from had 18" corvette rims in the back and 16's in the front, I have no idea what to do. The tires read 275/40zR18 99W in the back. I'm lookin at a rim on ebay and all it tells me is that it is 18" and 9.5J. How do I know if they are compatible?

 

Take the wheel off and look on the back side. The numbers should be cast (raised) onto the wheel. 9.5 is the width of the wheel in inches. Width is measured between the inner and outer lips where the tire meets it, not the overall width of the wheel.

 

thanks, I'll check when I get home tonight. I had a feeling it had to be on the wheel but I don't get why they dont put it in the inside or on the rims

 

^ Because that would be one thing that would make sense in the auto industry! Actually, some wheels do come with the size marking on the outer side where you can see it when you look for it. I've only seen it on factory alloy wheels though.
And come to think of it, your wheel is big enough to where you just might be able to see the size markings without having to remove it. Unless yours is stamped on the hub.