A Tesla Model 3’s wheel bolt pattern is 5x4.5, indicating that there are five bolts on each wheel that form a circle with a 4.5-inch diameter.
The Tesla Model 3 is high-tech in just about every possible way—except when it comes to its wheel bolt pattern. No, even the futuristic Tesla EVs use traditional bolt patterns
and wheel measurements. And it’s important to know these measurements if you’re going to get the most out of your rolling spaceship—er, Tesla. That’s why we’ve compiled all the bolt pattern info you need for your Tesla Model 3 into one handy article. We’ll show you how to read a bolt pattern, how to measure your wheel’s pitch circle diameter, and we’ll show you how you can double-check your bolt pattern with just a measuring tape!
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The wheel bolt pattern on Tesla cars is different from model to model—for instance, the Model 3’s bolt pattern is 5x4.5. What do those numbers mean? Here’s a breakdown.
A lug pattern is written out as:
the number of bolts x pitch circle diameter
A 5x4.5 wheel bolt pattern means that there are five bolts arranged in a circle with a pitch circle diameter of 4.5 inches.
But, you’ll need to know a few other specs if you plan on changing your Tesla wheels. There’s nothing more frustrating than buying a new set of performance tires for your Model 3 Performance only to find out that they don’t fit. To avoid this catastrophe you’ll need to know your Tesla wheels’ stud size, offset, hub bore size, and torque specs.
Let’s take a glance at those measurements:
Factory wheel size: 18” to 20”
Offset: High (+35 to +40)
Wheel tightening torque: 175 Nm
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How to measure your Tesla Model 3’s bolt pattern
So those are all the specs you need to swap out your Tesla Model 3 wheels. But don’t take our word for it—you can check the bolt pattern yourself!
Using a measuring tape or good old-fashioned ruler, choose one bolt and measure the distance from the outside of the bolt to the center of a bolt on the opposite side of the circle. This imaginary line is the pitch circle diameter of your bolt pattern. Now, count the number of bolts on the wheel and plug those numbers into the formula we talked about earlier:
the number of bolts x pitch circle diameter
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Benefits to changing your Tesla’s wheels
Swapping out your tires can be a good way to save some cash. Performance tires are typically lighter than regular all-season tires and can help improve your vehicle’s battery range, saving you money at the charging station in the summertime. Winter tires, on the other hand, give you better traction on icy roads, helping you avoid expensive fender-benders.
Some car insurance
providers offer discounts for using winter tires, so you might be able to save money on your Tesla Model 3 insurance costs by switching out your wheels. Be sure to check with your car insurance provider to see what kind of discounts they offer and which ones you qualify for. “I love how easy it was for me, as someone who has an older Tesla Model 3, to get insurance without going through a lot of trouble. I would recommend anyone try Jerry
, since it’s free!” —Melissa I.