Are you replacing your wheels? Or maybe you want to customize your car? In that case, you need to know your bolt pattern. This way, you ensure that the wheels fit your car perfectly. However, many car owners don’t know their bolt patterns. If you are one of them, you’ll need to learn how to measure the bolt pattern.
This article will help you learn all you need to know, so keep reading!
What Is A Bolt Pattern?
A bolt pattern is also known as lug pattern or bolt circle, and it refers to the number of bolt holes on the frame of the wheel, and the diameter of the circle these bolts form.
These patterns are typically written in this format: 5x4.5, where “5” refers to five bolts, and “4.5” refers to a diameter of 4.5 inches. Sometimes, these bolt patterns are metric-based: 5x112, where 112 refers to a diameter of 112 millimeters.
Now, you might wonder why it matters so much. Well, imagine you are trying to replace the wheels on your car. If the bolt patterns on those wheels don’t match the bolt patterns on wheel hubs, you won’t be able to install the wheels.
Even if you somehow manage to install them, this won’t be safe. The wheel will probably fall off at one point, and you certainly don’t want that to happen to you, especially when driving.
How To Measure Wheel Bolt Pattern
You need a ruler or a measuring tape. Then, count the number of bolts on your wheel. Is it an even or an odd number? If there is an even number of bolts, simply measure from the center of one bolt hole to the center of another bolt hole - the one that’s on the opposite side.
If, however, there is an odd number of bolts on your wheel, do the following instead. Start from the center of one bolt hole, and measure to the far edge of the bolt hole across from the starting hole.
As you can see, this task is quite straightforward to complete. But just because it’s easy, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it precisely. Try to get as precise a measurement as possible. If there are slight deviations, don’t worry. Simply look for the closest bolt pattern to the one you measured.
For example, if you measured a diameter of 114 mm, and there are five bolts, that’s a 5x114.3 mm (or 5x4.5") pattern.
Obviously, if the measurement deviation is a bit bigger than that, you can’t ignore it. For example, if you got 115 mm, that’s either an error on your side or your bolt pattern isn’t 5x114.3 mm.
In the end, if you keep measuring the diameter and none of your results match any known bolt pattern, you can always try other things. One of them is looking up your car model and its bolt pattern dimensions.
Or, you can go to the nearest car mechanic and ask them to measure the bolt pattern for you.
How To Measure A 5-Lug Bolt Pattern
How to measure bolt pattern with five bolts/lugs? Since 5 is an odd number, you simply follow the instructions for odd-numbered bolt patterns:
- Choose one bolt hole, which will be your starting point.
- Position the beginning of your ruler/measuring tape at the center of that point
- Look for the bolt hole across the one you have selected as your starting point
- Spread your ruler/measuring tape to the outer edge of that bolt hole
- The distance you measured is the diameter of the bolt circle
Which Bolt Patterns Are the Most Common
The most common bolt patterns vary depending on vehicle type, make, and region. However, a few have become industry standards, due to their wide compatibility. For passenger cars, 5x114.3 mm (or 5x4.5") is one of the most widely used patterns.
You can find it on many vehicles from manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, Ford, and Nissan. Another popular size is 5x100 mm, often seen on compact cars and some Subaru models. If you drive a truck or an SUV, it probably comes with a 6x139.7 mm (or 6x5.5") bolt pattern.
For older or heavy-duty trucks, you might also see 8-lug patterns, such as 8x165.1 mm (8x6.5") or 8x170 mm. These are typically used for towing and heavy payloads. European cars often use patterns such as 5x112 mm (Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen) and 5x120 mm (BMW and some GM cars).
These patterns dominate the market, making them easier to find for aftermarket wheels, spacers, or adapters. Always double-check your specific vehicle’s bolt pattern before purchasing new wheels.
What Lug Nuts Are Best For a 5 Lug Bolt Pattern?
M14x1.5 Spline Wheel Acorn Lug Nuts Chrome Plated with Cone Seat, 32pcs.
This M14x1.5 lug set comes with durable, chrome-plated A3 steel construction with a 60° cone seat. It is designed to fit a wide range of vehicles using 13/16" or 21mm hex wrenches. The set includes a socket, user instructions, and is backed by a solid warranty and 24/7 customer support: SAE 9/16-18 Spline Drive Wheel Acorn Lug Nuts Chrome Plated, 32pcs This 32-piece lug set fits select Dodge and Ford trucks with 8x6.5 or 5x5.5 bolt patterns and 9/16" bolts. It features 60° conical seats, triple-layer plating for corrosion resistance, and durable cold-forged steel. In case of any issues, it’s backed by a 2-year warranty and full money-back guarantee: In this article, we have taught you how to measure the bolt pattern. As you can see, it is extremely easy. You just need a ruler/measuring tape, and to check if there is an odd or even number of bolts. The rest will take less than a minute. After measuring your bolt pattern successfully, you’ll be able to replace your wheels or customize your ride with ease!Conclusion
