When purchasing new rims, you need to pay attention not only to the diameter, but also to its other parameters, including the bolt pattern. This parameter is hidden behind the abbreviation PCD, next to which two numbers are indicated. They indicate the number of bolted connections and the diameter of the circle that is inscribed at their center. So, how to find out the bolt pattern of a disk yourself and what are the dangers of installing an incorrectly selected part.
Marking
How to determine disc bolt pattern. If the markings are preserved, the easiest way is to decipher them. This is not difficult to do. For example, the disk contains the following data R14 5.5J 4×100 DIA54.1 ET45, where:
- R14 - indicates the diameter of the disk in inches;
- 5.5J – disk width, the letter J indicates that this disk can only be used on cars with a single drive, that is, front- and rear-wheel drive cars. Wheels for cars with all-wheel drive are marked JJ. Additionally, the letter X is used to designate cast or forged models.
- 4×100 is an indicator of the bolt pattern; in passenger cars, discs can be mounted on 3-6 studs. The most common values for the inscribed circle are: 98, 100, 108, 112, 114.3, 120, 139.7.
- DIA54.1 – diameter of the central inlet;
- ET45 – disc offset. In this case, the disc has a positive overhang. If this parameter is negative, a “-” sign is placed in front of the numerical value. At zero offset. The offset affects the position of the mating plane; if you install disks with a different parameter, this will lead to a change in the value and direction of the forces that act on the car’s suspension.
Thus, on these disks there is a bolt pattern for 4 disks with a diameter of the circumference of the edge of the mounting holes equal to 100 mm. In addition, the PCD is always indicated on the vehicle registration certificate. For example, in the VAZ-2106 model this parameter is included in the characteristics as “Diameter of holes for wheel bolts”. The value indicated is 98, all that remains is to count the number of bolt holes. Wheels with a 4×98 bolt pattern are suitable for this domestic model.
Wheel rim bolt pattern table by car brand
Parameters of alloy wheels
PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter) diameter and the number of these holes.
For example, PCD100/4 - 4 holes with a diameter of 100 mm.
Since the mounting holes are made with a significant tolerance plus in diameter, you can make a mistake in choosing a PCD if it differs from the standard one by a couple of millimeters. For example, a PCD98/4 wheel is often put on a hub with PCD100/4 (98 mm from 100 cannot be distinguished by eye). It is unacceptable. In this case, of all the nuts (or bolts), only one will be fully tightened; the remaining holes will “lead away” and the fasteners will remain untightened or tightened skewed - the fit of the wheel on the hub will be incomplete. While driving, such a wheel will “beat”, in addition, not fully tightened nuts will unscrew by themselves.
Determining PCD by distance between bolt holes
DIA - diameter of the central hole for the hub or the central hole of the disk
ET - offset (or offset) of the disk (measured in mm).
This is the distance between the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the disk and the plane of the hub. The offset can be zero (the plane of symmetry of the disk coincides with the plane of the machine hub), positive (the plane of symmetry of the disk is closer to the center of the machine than the plane of the hub - as in the figure) and negative (further). For each car model, the offset is calculated by the manufacturer to ensure optimal stability and controllability of the car, as well as the least load on the hub bearings. The Germans designate the offset ET (for example, ET30 (mm), if its value is positive, or ET-30, if negative), the French - DEPORT, manufacturers from other countries usually use the English OFFSET. The desire to install wider low-profile tires that have appeared in recent years (sometimes on larger R-size wheels) leads to the need to select a wheel with a reduced ET (i.e. the tire has become wider - you need to move it outward from the body - otherwise it will start to touch it ) . Reducing ET makes the wheel track wider; - this increases the stability of the car and gives it a stylish racing look. An excessive decrease in ET is undesirable, because may result in increased load on the wheel bearings. Increase the reach, i.e. It is usually impossible to narrow the track - the disc will rest against the brake caliper.
Table of hole distances for bolts on wheel rims of different cars.
If you haven't found your car brand, try using the graphical configurator on our website. Having selected your car model, click on the Technical information button to receive a detailed description of the wheel parameters and tire sizes.
The dimensions shown in the table are for general information only. Please consult a specialist before installing rims for more precise advice pertaining to suitability for your vehicle.
| ALFA ROMEO | BMW | CADILLAC | CHRYSLER |
| DAEWOO | DODGE | FIAT | HONDA |
| ISUZU | JEEP | LANCIA | LEXUS |
| MAZDA | MITSUBISHI | OPEL | PEUGEOT |
| RENAULT | SAAB | SKODA | SUZUKI |
| TVR | VOLVO |
Comparative test of cast, forged and stamped wheels from the Main Road program.
Most common values
The PCD value varies not only depending on the manufacturer, but also on the model and year of manufacture. Here are the most common values:
| PCD value | Car makes and models |
| 4×98 | Fiat: Brava, 126, 124, Croma, Multipla, Tipo, Panda, Alfa Romeo: 155 and 164; Lada |
| 4×100 | Used on older Mini, BMW 3, Honda models: CRX, Jazz, Accord; Kia Spectra: Opel Astra, Corsa, Ascona, Zafira; Toyota Yaris, Corolla, Volkswagen Golf: Passa, Jetta, Polo. |
| 5×100 | Audi: TT and A3, Toyota: Avensis, Celica, Carina; Skoda Octavia; Subaru: Impreza, Outback, Legacy |
| 5×108 | Ferrari, Citroen Jumper and XM, Ford Mondeo and Focus; Volvo 740, 760 and 780 |
| 5×112 | Audi: 100 CS, A4, A6, A8, S2, S4; Ford Galaxy, Mercedes: 600 SL, SLK, Vito |
| 4×114,3 | Honda: Accord, Civic Vtec; Hyundai: Sonata, Accent; Nissan: Almera, Primera, Mitsubishi: Colt, Lancer, Galant; Volvo V40 and S40; Daewoo Matiz |
| 5×114,3 | Used on some “Americans”, on older Mazda models, on Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Lexus |
| 5×115 | Used on most models from American manufacturers |
| 5×120 | Rolls Royce, Range Rover |
| 5×139,7 | UAZ, Chevrolet Niva |
Only the most common bolt patterns are indicated. Before purchasing a disk, you must set this parameter specifically for your car.
How to find out what kind of bolt pattern is on wheels without markings
How to find out the bolt pattern of a car wheel? This cannot be done by eye; it is practically impossible to distinguish PCD 4 x 98 from 4 × 100 visually. If you don’t have a technical passport at hand, and the markings have been erased, you’ll have to stock up on calipers. First of all, you need to determine the number of bolts. This is a banal calculation of their number. Next, you need to determine the diameter of the circle described around the mounting holes. This is a little more difficult to do. PCD for discs can be for 3, 4 or 5 bolts. How to understand the bolt pattern of a disk based on the number of mounting holes, the procedure changes somewhat.
How to understand the bolt pattern on wheels with an odd number of holes
How to find out the bolt pattern of a 5 bolt disc? This method is universal and suitable for measuring PCD with any number of bolts; only the formula is replaced when performing calculations. To take the measurement you will need a caliper. If you use a ruler, the error in your measurements will be too large. Follow the instructions below:
- To take measurements, take two adjacent holes and measure the distance from the nearest edges;
- The diameter of the hole is measured;
- The value of the distance and diameter is added;
- Next, to calculate the diameter of the circle of the centers of the mounting holes, you must use the formula.
How to find out the bolt pattern of a disk with 5 holes, use the formula: X*1.701, where x is the calculated distance between the centers of two holes. For three bolts, the formula is: X*1.155. For a disk with four bolts, the PCD parameter can be found by multiplying the distance between the centers of the mounting holes by the factor x1.414, that is, the formula is used: X * 1.414. For example, the disk has five mounting holes. The calculation revealed that the distance between the central points of adjacent mounting holes is 63.5 mm. To calculate the diameter, this value is multiplied by 1.701. As a result, the PCD indicator for the disk is 108.
Overhang amount
Every vehicle owner strives to make the car original and unique with the help of tuning. A lot of effort and time is spent on selecting disks. Some motorists do not look at the standard markings, ignore the requirements and install low-profile wheels, forgetting that any deviations are unacceptable. Mismatched wheel rims lead to the car becoming unsafe and directly threatening the lives of all road users.
After deciding on tuning, you should not immediately run to the store and buy the wheels you like for your car, but you should consider several important selection parameters. You should not count on the help of consultants in the store; many of them are simply incompetent in matters of choice and try to simply sell the part, especially if they notice that you are interested in it.
To avoid waste of money, you must choose a disk strictly according to its parameters. There are a huge number of myths, and many prejudices have absolutely no relation to the real situation.
Motorists are sure that the offset of a wheel rim is the value that denotes the protruding part of the rim above the body of the vehicle. In fact, the parameter carries a slightly different meaning. Any disk in a car has a mating plane that comes into contact with the wheel hub when installing the disk. As a result, the offset is the distance from the mating plane of the disk to the vertical axis of symmetry of the disk.
How to find out the bolt pattern of a 4-bolt wheel
How to find out the bolt pattern of a 4 or 6 bolt wheel. This method is only suitable for discs with an even number of holes. To do this, you need to measure the distance from the extreme point of two opposite holes. For example, for the VAZ 2104 this parameter is 85 mm. Next, we measure the diameter of the mounting hole; for this model it is 13 mm. We add up both obtained values - we get 98 mm. In total, the PCD of the VAZ 2104 is 4x98 mm. You can make measurements easier by taking measurements directly from the edges of the mounting holes. However, this method is not particularly accurate.
Bolt pattern characteristics
If you decide to replace the wheels of your car by installing cast rims, or plan to “change the shoes” of your four-wheeled companion with the onset of cold weather, you definitely need to take into account the bolt pattern of the wheel rims. What is disc bolt pattern?
To make life easier for drivers, the wheel bolt pattern (compatibility table, to be more precise) is now available on the Internet for almost all car brands. This concept includes several of the following characteristics:
- number of holes for machine hub bolts. It is marked with the letters LZ and indicates the number of fasteners with which the wheel is screwed (usually there are from 3 to 6, if the car is a passenger car);
- the distance at which the bolts are located;
- the diameter on which the fasteners are located (PCD, which stands for Pitch Circle Diameter). It is set at the machine manufacturing plant.
Features of bolt patterns of different types of discs
The following types of wheel rims are available on the market:
- Steel, or stamped;
- Cast from light alloy metals;
- Forged.
How to find out the bolt pattern of stamped wheels? Steel wheels are the most common option, this is due to the cost of such models, as well as the possibility of straightening work. The bolt pattern of such a disk must exactly comply with the standards established by the manufacturer.
Alloy wheels are considered not as durable. Since light alloy metals are characterized by lower strength, the selection of components must be approached especially carefully. How to find out the bolt pattern of an alloy wheel? The same method is used for this as for other varieties.
Forged wheels are considered the most durable and heaviest. They are manufactured in special workshops using technologies similar to those used in aircraft manufacturing. They withstand direct blows well. Motorists often use them for driving in extreme conditions.
Compatibility tables for different cars
To make it easier to select wheels, below we will post compatibility tables for some car brands. These tables contain only general information, and before purchasing you should definitely pay attention to the labeling and other parameters.
Wheels should be selected based on compatibility rather than aesthetic characteristics. Make sure that absolutely all parameters correspond to the standard ones, so as not to endanger the lives of road users.
We recommend watching:
Wheel rim landing parameters
- What is the distance between the holes on the disks?
- How to change the wheel bolt pattern
- What is the size of stamped discs?
What do disk parameters mean?
- How to correctly measure the bolt pattern on wheels
