In the context of wheel and tire assembly, lug pattern refers to the indentations on a wheel that fit into the mating wheel slot.
This design element is important because it reduces friction and helps transfer power from the hub to the axle.
The lug pattern on a car is important because it determines how the vehicle will sit on the ground and in the air. The pattern also affects fuel efficiency, emissions, and sound level. Here’s how you can measure lug patterns for better wheel balancing.
How do you measure a 4-lug pattern?
Loosely assemble the wheel and hub assembly onto the spindle. Tighten the lug nuts down to hold the wheel in place to have a true representation of what it will look like when put together and torqued down. Loosely assemble the wheel and hub assembly onto the spindle.
Tighten the lug nuts down to hold the wheel in place to have a true representation of what it will look like when put together and torqued down.
With an accurate ruler or 2mm pencil, measure from the center point of one stud or bolt hole and mark that distance on your cardboard 4 times in a circle representing your pattern and then follow up with a pair of scissors cutting out your pattern.
Lay this assembled cut-out template over the new wheels bolt pattern. If everything lines up, there should be no issues using these wheels.
How do you measure wheel bolt patterns?
To properly fit wheel applications, you will need to gather two critical measurements. The wheel bolt pattern, also called wheel bolt circle or wheel pattern indicates the size and number of holes in your wheel’s bolt pattern. This measurement is made on the backside of the wheel.
If your wheel has 5 lug nuts, then it is a 5-lug pattern (aka 5 x 4.25, 5 x 114.3, or 5 x 4 1/2). If your wheel has 6 lug nuts, then it is a 6-lug pattern (aka 6 x 4.5, 6 x 115, or 6 x 4 3/4). If your wheel has 8 lug nuts, then it is an 8-lug pattern (aka 8 x 165.1, 8×170, or 8×6 1/2).
How do you measure the distance between 2 lug nuts?
If you are unsure of your vehicle’s bolt pattern, please feel free to call us at 1-800-358-4751. We can help you find your vehicle’s bolt pattern before ordering your custom rims.
To Find Your Bolt Pattern: Measure the diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the centers of the lug bolts or studs. The number of high and low positions may vary on different vehicles but will usually be even if divided into equal sections.
Do not rely on your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation if they list only bolt patterns without space between lugs. For example, 5X108 means 5 lugs with a pitch circle diameter of 108mm (or 4.25″).
How do I know how many lug nuts my car has?
The easiest way to determine how many lug nuts your car has is to count them. This can be done by looking directly through the lug holes or by removing the center cap of the wheel if possible.
Alternatively, you can scan your vehicle identification plate, where you’ll find how many studs are on each wheel.
If you are unsure how many lug nuts your car has, simply get a piece of cardboard and place it under the vehicle. Turn one wheel at a time to draw a circle on the cardboard; try to keep the alignment as uniform as possible to get an accurate circle.
Measure the diameter of this circle, and if it’s less than 17″, then you have 4 lug nuts per wheel. If your measurement is greater than 17″, then you have 5 lug nuts per wheel.
How do you measure the lug pattern?
You’ll need to take 3 measurements of your lug pattern in order to determine the pitch circle diameter and center measurement:
1. Measure the distance between two adjacent lug holes, and then measure the center-to-center distance between two opposite lug holes. If these measurements are the same, you have an evenly spaced lug pattern.
2. If your measurements differ, or you have an oddly spaced lug pattern, use a vernier caliper or a ruler to measure from the center of one lug hole to the opposing side–this measurement is twice your pitch circle diameter (PCD).
3. Once you know your pitch circle diameter (PCD), measure the distance from the back of a stud to the edge of your wheel. This is your backspacing.
Is the 5×4 5 bolt pattern the same as the 5×114 3?
Unsure of your Bolt Pattern? Measure with a straightedge and ruler. First, determine the diameter of your bolt circle (we’ll call it D) by measuring from the center of one lug to the center of the bolt directly across.
This will be your bolt circle measurement. Next, measure from the center of one lug to the center of another lug that is exactly opposite from the first lug. Half this measurement (this number we’ll call X) and compare to the diameter (D).
Are all 5 lug patterns the same?
They are not all the same. Some wheels have a different number of lugs and a different bolt circle pattern. How do you know if they are the correct lug pattern to fit your car? Measure your lug pattern.
Make sure you measure before you order your wheels so that you can make sure they will fit! All of the wheels we sell will come with the correct lug nuts to match your vehicle.
Is there any other way to determine what my lug pattern is beside using my BMW tape measure or ruler?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the lug pattern of your BMW may vary depending on the tire size and width you are using.
However, some other methods that may help you determine your lug pattern include:
1. Check your owner’s manual to see if there is a specific procedure for determining your lug pattern.
2. Use a calculator to calculate the number of lugs on each wheel.
3. Look at a picture of your wheels and use a ruler or tape measure to measure the distance between the centers of the lugs. For the bolt pattern, there are several different categories that your wheels fall into.
Each category has a standard across the entire Audi / Volkswagen network like we discussed above; however, not all-wheel manufacturers adhere to these standards exactly.
Some tires may fit better on certain cars than others because of this variety in lug patterns within each class as well.
Read More About: Best Free Spin Hub Conversion Kit Dodge
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if I don’t have either of these things but still want to know what my lug pattern is anyway?
There are a few ways to find out what your lug pattern is. One way is to measure the wheelbase of your car and use that as your baseline.
Another way is to measure the width of your tires and multiply that by 2.6. If you still can’t find out, most wheel manufacturers include the lug pattern on their product packaging.
2. Can I use a different type of tape measure than the one provided by BMW, or will it affect the results?
There is no need to use a different type of tape measure like the one provided by BMW. However, it is always recommended that you test the tape measure before using it in order to make sure that it is functioning properly. Otherwise, the wheels might deform when you try to spin them through your tire.
3. How can I find out what my lug pattern is?
To find out what your lug pattern is, you will need to remove the wheel and take a look at the hub. There should be a number stamped on the hub that corresponds to your lug pattern.
4. What’s the difference between measuring a lug pattern with a tape measure and measuring a lug pattern with a ruler?
Tape measure: A tape measure is a device that is used to measure distances or angles. It has a flexible metal strip with a series of measurements marked on it in inches, centimeters, or millimeters.
Ruler: A ruler is a straight edge that is used to measure lengths and angles. It has markings in inches, centimeters, or millimeters.
Conclusion
A lug pattern is the specific shape of the holes that are on a wheel. There are many different lug patterns out there, and some may fit better than others on certain vehicles. Make sure to measure your bolt circle before ordering your wheels so that you can be sure they will fit!
To determine your wheel size, you’ll need to know your bolt pattern and PCD. Once you have these numbers, you can measure the backspacing and pitch circle diameter of your wheels.
