PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter) and bolt pattern are essentially the same thing, referring to the number of wheel studs and the diameter of the circle they form. A bolt pattern, such as 5x114.3, specifies both the number of studs (5) and the diameter of the imaginary circle passing through their centers (114.3 mm).
Why is this important? When choosing aftermarket wheels, a PCD ensures your new wheels fit your vehicle's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications. By staying as close to OEM specs as possible, you reduce unnecessary wear and tear and ensure any factory warranty stays intact. When picking out a set of new aftermarket UTV wheels, make sure they match the PCD of your original wheels that came with the vehicle. For example, "4 x 156" means there are four bolts and the PCD is 156 mm.
How to Measure Wheel PCD:
FIND THE PCD
- For Valor Offroad wheels, you’ll find the PCD stamped on the mounting pad on the back of the wheel. For OEM wheels, check the owner’s manual or look it up online using your vehicle’s year, make, and model.
MEASURE THE PCD
- If your wheel has an even number of lugs, measure from the center of one lug to the center of the one directly across from it. If there’s an odd number of lugs, measure from the center of one lug to the outer edge of the one opposite it (see image above).
CALCULATE THE PCD
- To calculate the PCD for a 4-lug wheel, divide the distance between the studs by 0.7071. For 5-lug wheels, use 0.5878; for 6-lug wheels, divide by 0.5.
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