A bolt pattern, also known as the lug pattern, is the primary criterion that will determine whether a wheel will fit your car. It’s the layout of the mounting holes at the center of a wheel.
The Toyota RAV4 bolt pattern is 5×4.5 inches (imperial) or 5×114.3 millimeters (metric) for all models.
In this article, we’ll break down the RAV4’s bolt pattern and explain what it means.
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What Do Bolt Pattern Numbers Mean?
The first number in a bolt pattern indicates the number of bolt holes in the wheel. For the RAV4, this is 5.
The bolt holes form a circle around the center of the wheel. This circle, measured as diameter, is the second number that is designated either in inches or millimeters.
For the RAV4, the 5 bolt holes form a circle, 4.5 inches (114.3 millimeters) in diameter.
On a 5-lug wheel, this can be measured from the top of a bolt hole to the middle of the bolt hole across from it, as seen below.
Pay attention to the last millimeter! You want to make sure you are measuring this accurately.
The bolt patterns of 5×4.5 (5×114.3mm) and 5x115mm are within half a millimeter of each other, however they are still considered different.
This half of a millimeter makes all the difference. You’ll be able to fit the smaller (5×114.3mm) wheel onto the larger bolt pattern (5x115mm) car. However, it will not fit correctly, even if it appears to initially. The lug studs won’t be centered in the wheel’s lug holes. When the lug nuts are torqued on, the poor centering will bend the studs and cause your wheels to vibrate.
We recommend working with a tire or wheel retailer to ensure you are buying the correct wheel for the RAV4’s bolt pattern!
Why Is the Bolt Pattern Important?
Simply put, the bolt pattern is important when you need new wheels for your RAV4. To ensure the proper fit, you must purchase a wheel with an identical bolt pattern.
Bolt patterns can be easier to determine for some cars than others. For example, a 4-lug wheel is much easier to measure than a 5-lug wheel. With a 4-lug, you can measure from the center of one opening straight to another. When you have an odd number pattern like a 5×5, it gets a bit more tricky. To ensure you get the proper measurement, consult a bolt pattern guide, or get a bolt pattern gauge.
Fortunately, most retailers will know the proper bolt pattern for your car. If you’re taking your RAV4 to a mechanic or Toyota dealer, you won’t need to know the bolt pattern off the top of your head. However, if you’re doing any DIY service on your car, then knowing your RAV4 bolt pattern will ensure you get the right size part.
The Bottom Line
The bolt pattern is what you need to know when you’re determining if a wheel will properly fit your car. The RAV4 bolt pattern is 5×4.5 inches (imperial) or 5×114.3 millimeters (metric). This measurement is only about half a millimeter off from the 5×115 millimeters bolt pattern, which means you must be careful to ensure your new wheels’ bolt pattern is correct.
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