Your 2017 Ford Explorer has a 5x4.5 bolt pattern. Also called 5 and 4.5, this pattern tells us that the wheels on a 2017 Explorer have five bolts arranged in a circle that’s 4.5 inches across.

If you own a Ford Explorer, you know that part of its appeal is versatility. Whether you’re using it as an off-roader, a family vehicle, or a little bit of both, the 2017 Explorer’s generous configuration options make it an easy vehicle to make your own. But if you want to take your Ford Explorer customization up a notch, there are lots of aftermarket and third-party options available.

Whether it’s a custom paint job, new interior upholstery, or the perfect

car insurance

coverage, you can fine-tune your Explorer to best suit your needs. You may look into swapping out your wheels for a new set, and if so, you’ll need this guide to your 2017 Ford Explorer’s bolt pattern.

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How to lower Ford Explorer car insurance costs

2017 Ford Explorer bolt pattern

Ford’s lineup across vehicle classes is so extensive that its

lug patterns

range from fairly small to really big. And toward the middle is the 2017 Ford Explorer, which sits at 5x4.5 or 5 on 4.5. This number combination tells us there are five bolts, and they form a circle with a 4.5-inch diameter.

Every vehicle’s lug pattern indication follows the same formula, which is:

# of bolts x diameter of the circle they form

However, knowing your lug pattern isn’t all you’ll need to start shopping for a new set of wheels. You have to know some other specifications, too, like the stud size, wheel offset, center bore measurement, and wheel tightening torque:

Factory wheel size: 18” or 20”

Stud size: M14x1.5 (1.5 mm pitch between threads with a diameter of 14 mm on the threaded part)

Offset: 30-48 mm, depending on the trim level

Center bore: 63.4 mm

Wheel tightening torque: 135 Nm

MORE: Ford Explorer XLT towing capacity

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How to measure your Ford Explorer’s bolt pattern

You can use the specifications outlined above to shop for new wheels, and if you want to narrow down precise information like your trim level’s offset, you can find it in your owner’s manual. And if you want to check your lug pattern for yourself, you can do it easily at home!

Start with a ruler or measuring tape. Pick a wheel to measure, and then select any of the bolts to start with. Just measure from the outside edge of the lug hole to the center of either of its nearest bolts.

Cars with an odd number of bolts, like the 2017 Explorer, require measuring from one lug hole to one of the nearest bolts. If you had a vehicle with an even number of bolts, you would simply measure straight across to get the diameter.

Once your measurement is taken, you’ll combine it with the number of bolts your wheel has, and that tells you the lug pattern for the 2017 Ford Explorer—or any other vehicle you drive!

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What size tires go on a 2017 Ford Explorer?

If you need to

replace the tires

on your 2017 Explorer, the size will depend on your trim level. The base and

XLT

tires are size P245/60R18. If you drive the

Sport

Limited

, or

Platinum

trims, you’ll need P255/50R20 tires.

Is the 2017 Ford Explorer FWD or RWD?

If you’re wondering whether your 2017 Explorer is a

front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD)

, you should know that this model was only available with FWD or 4WD. If you’re still not sure which drivetrain you have, look in your owner’s manual or check your engine orientation. Engines on 4WD vehicles are mounted front-to-back with belts on the front.

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