The Exact Bolt Pattern of a Chevy Cruze: A Comprehensive Guide

Getting the bolt pattern wrong can lead to wheels that don’t fit your Cruze properly. But armed with the right information, you can find wheels that align perfectly with the factory specifications.

So what exactly is the bolt pattern on a Chevy Cruze?

The Chevy Cruze uses a 5x105mm bolt pattern. This means there are 5 lug bolts spaced out in a circle with 105mm between each stud center. Understanding bolt pattern is crucial for finding compatible aftermarket wheels and avoiding issues with fitment down the road.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bolt patterns using the Chevy Cruze as a key example:

• What bolt pattern means and why it matters
• Finding the bolt pattern information for your Cruze
• Matching new wheels and tires to your Chevy Cruze
• Step-by-step installation and torque specs
• Plus additional wheel specs to factor in

Gaining confidence in finding the right bolt pattern and wheels for your Cruze starts here!

Understanding Bolt Pattern and Why It Matters

The term “bolt pattern” refers to the number and arrangement of bolts or holes that attach your wheel to the vehicle’s hub.

Manufacturers engineer vehicles with specific bolt patterns. Cars, trucks and SUVs can have anywhere from 3 to 8 lug bolts in set diameters and spacing arrangements.

For example, the specs 5x105mm breaks down as:

• 5 – Number of lug bolts
• 105mm – Diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the centers of the wheel lugs

This bolt pattern allows your wheels to perfectly center on your Chevy Cruze’s hubs. The lugs then securely fasten the wheel, allowing proper wheel alignment and weight distribution across your Cruze’s suspension and drive train components.

Why Matching Bolt Patterns is Essential

Installing a wheel with the wrong bolt pattern can lead to:

• Improper wheel centering and wobble
• Uneven force distribution and excessive strain
• Premature wheel and suspension failure
• Safety issues like wheels coming loose

That’s why correctly matching your Chevy Cruze’s OEM 5x105mm bolt pattern is essential when buying new wheels or swapping factory wheels between different vehicles.

Even one wrong measurement can throw off the stability of your tires and handling. Now that you understand the crucial role bolt patterns play in proper wheel fitment, let’s look at how to find the specifications for your Chevy Cruze.

Finding Your Chevy Cruze’s Bolt Pattern Information

The bolt pattern used on all Chevy Cruze models from 2011-2019 is 5x105mm. This is considered a universal bolt pattern found on many popular sedans.

Here are some quick ways to verify the 5x105mm specs on your own Cruze:

• Check your owner’s manual in the wheels and tires section
• Look for a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb
• Count your wheel lugs by eye (5 total)
• Measure the diameter between opposing bolt centers with a tape measure

Most Chevy Cruzes will have a sticker like this example showing key details:

But what if you want to double check the pattern yourself or confirm another Cruze’s specs? Let’s go over the hands-on methods for validating the measurements.

Counting Your Cruze’s Wheel Bolts

The quickest way is to visually count the total number of wheel bolts. The Chevy Cruze uses:

• 5 wheel bolts

So if you peek under your Cruze and see 5 bolts, you likely have the standard 5x105mm pattern.

Measuring Between Bolt Centers on Your Cruze

You can manually measure the center bore diameter – the distance between two bolt centers – with a tape measure.

Steps:

1. Locate two opposite wheel bolts on your Cruze’s hub
2. Measure directly from the center of one bolt to the other

This should give you a diameter of approx. 105mm or 4.1 inches if your Cruze has the factory pattern. While not exact, it will confirm you’re in the ballpark.

Knowing your Chevy Cruze uses a universal 5x105mm pattern is useful when shopping for replacement factory wheels and choosing new aftermarket wheels. Next let’s go over what to look for when buying wheels for your Cruze.

Matching New Wheels and Tires to Your Chevy Cruze

Now that you know your Chevy Cruze has a 5x105mm bolt pattern, use this specification when buying replacement factory wheels or new aftermarket rims.

Wheel manufacturers will clearly list the bolt pattern to help you find the right fit. Here’s what to look for when shopping for new shoes for your Cruze:

Verify Bolt Pattern in Details

All wheel listings should call out the bolt pattern. For your Cruze, the pattern must read:

• 5x105mm
• 5×4.1″
• 5-lug 105mm

These all refer to the same 5-bolt pattern on a 105mm diameter circle. Sometimes the listing title doesn’t specify, so drill down into the details to verify before purchase.

Match Future Tire Choices

Consider the tire sizes you may use now or in the future when choosing a new wheel width and diameter. Resources like WillTheyFit.com can help match wheels, tires and lift kits while showing issues with calibration.

Factor in Wheel Offset

Offset is the distance between the wheel’s hub mounting surface and the wheel’s center line. The stock offset on a Chevy Cruze is typically +48mm. Aftermarket wheels with moderately higher or lower offsets usually fit, but large variances require spacing adapters.

Confirm Center Bore Size

The center bore is the empty space in the back of the wheel that slides over the hub or rotor surface when mounted. Chevy Cruzes have a center bore dimension of 56.6mm. Aftermarket wheels with the same or larger center bores will fit.

With the bolt pattern matched along with proper tire fitment, offset and center bore size confirmed, you’ll end up with wheels and tires made specifically for the Chevy Cruze. Next we’ll go through the hands-on process of installing your shiny new Cruze shoes.

Step-by-Step Installation of New Wheels on a Chevy Cruze

Once you’ve verified wheel compatibility and purchased new rims and tires made to fit your Chevy Cruze, it’s time for mounting. Follow this process to safely install your upgraded Cruze wheels:

Torque Lug Nuts to Spec

Before fitting your new wheels and tires, double check your lug nut torque using a properly calibrated inch pound torque wrench. Factory specs are:

• Aluminum Wheels – 103 lb-ft or 140Nm
• Steel Wheels – 80lb-ft or 110Nm

Compare your current torque to the specs and adjust any under-torqued wheel bolts. This ensures true wheel centering before swapping out lugs or wheels.

Mount New Tires (if needed)

Tires should be mounted and balanced on your new rims (if not purchased as a wheel & tire package). Only install tires onto wheels specifically designed to handle their size and specifications. Use mild tire mounting lubricant and ensure the bead seats evenly on both sides.

Lift and Support Vehicle

Safely lift your Chevy Cruze on a secure lifting platform or commercial grade jack stands with weight rating for passenger vehicles. Refer to your owner’s manual. Supporting the full weight of the Cruze prevents wheel movement during the swap.

Remove Wheels

With the Chevy Cruze lifted and brakes cool, fully loosen each original wheel’s lug nuts in a star or criss-cross pattern but don’t remove yet. This avoids the wheel sticking to the rotor surface. Then remove all lug nuts and carefully lift off the OEM wheel and tire assembly.

Prep Hub Face

Inspect and clean the wheel hub mounting surface, calipers, rotors, studs, and back of the new wheels. Ensure no debris will interfere with tight seating of the new wheels. Use gloves to avoid oil and grease transfer.

Mount New Wheels

Line up the new wheel’s lug holes with the Cruze hub studs while positioning the valve stem for easy access. The wheel should slide flush onto the hub or rotor face. Hand thread a few lug bolts in place to hold the new wheel in the proper orientation before torquing.

Torque Bolts in Pattern

Tighten the Cruze’s wheel bolts to the proper torque specifications following a star or criss-cross sequence. Work in increments of 20-30 lb/ft until reaching the final torque values. Triple check all wheel bolts are torqued evenly. Lower vehicle safely back to the ground after 1-2 days recheck torque.

With all bolts and lug nuts properly torqued to specs, the new wheels should now be securely mounted and centered on your Chevy Cruze.

The final step is a road test before enjoying your new Cruze wheels for the long haul.

Road Test

Drive the Chevy Cruze for 10-15 miles ensuring proper clearing with no rubbing or odd vibrations. Recheck bolt torque after 1-2 days. Continue routine tire rotation and balancing during oil changes or every 5000-8000 miles.

With the key bolt pattern, wheel, tire, and torque specs covered, your new Cruze wheels will outperform factory and stand out from the crowd!

Additional Chevy Cruze Wheel Specs

Beyond the core bolt pattern your Chevy Cruze wheels must match, here are some additional specifications to factor in when choosing new wheels:

Wheel Diameter

Factory Chevy Cruze wheel diameters come in 15”, 16” 17” or 18”. Larger diameters may require fender modifications for proper clearance.

Center Bore

The center bore diameter should be 56.6mm or larger to fit Chevy Cruze models without requiring hub rings.

Offset/Backspacing

The +40mm to +48mm offset range offers moderate concavity without rubbing or poking on most Chevy Cruzes.

Lug Nut Thread Pitch

Cruze wheel bolts have metric 12×1.5 pitch lug studs. Ensure wheel lug holes match this thread pitch.

Hub-centric or Lug-centric

Hub-centric wheels center on the hub’s pilot diameter versus the wheel bolts. Either typically works but hub-centric offers slightly more precision.

Choosing new Cruze wheels matching these added specs results in optimal fit and performance. Let’s also go over your options adapting non-Cruze wheels using adapters.

Adapting Non-Cruze Wheels Using Spacers and Adapters

The Chevy Cruze uses a very common 5x105mm bolt pattern found on many vehicles. This opens up lots of possibilities for fitting non-Cruze wheels onto your car using wheel adapters. Let’s explore how to make various bolt patterns work.

Understanding Wheel Adapters

Wheel adapters convert between two different bolt patterns by acting as spacers. Adapters have different bolt patterns on each side. The wheel side matches your new wheel, while the backside fits your Cruze’s studs.

Common Bolt Patterns Easily Adapted to a Cruze

Various 5-lug Asian and European vehicles share the basic 105mm diameter, though lug counts vary:

• 5×114.3
• 5×120
• 5×130

These can often adapt to a Chevy Cruze using basic 5-bolt adapters plus centering rings. Even some 6-lug truck wheels work with the right adapters.

Measure Carefully Before Purchase

When adapting wheels from other vehicles, carefully confirm the new wheel’s center bore clearance along with precise incoming and target bolt patterns. Provide these exact measurements to wheel spacer manufacturers to find solutions that correctly mate mismatched wheels and vehicles.

While wheel adapters quickly expand your wheel options, only use reputable hub-centric products torqued properly to avoid vibrations, hub strain or wheel loss. With precise measurements and quality components, you can securely run wheels made for many models on the versatile Chevy Cruze platform.

Keep Your Chevy Cruze Wheels Turning Smoothly

Now that you’re an expert on Chevrolet Cruze bolt patterns, proper wheel fitment and torque procedures, here is some additional guidance on maintaining your Cruze’s wheels and tires for maximum life:

• Rotate Tires Every 5K-8K Miles – Regular rotations reduce uneven wear from contact patches and alignment changes over time. Stick to the vehicle manufacturer’s rotation pattern.
• Inspect Wheel Bolts and Lug Nuts – Every rotation is a good opportunity to eyeball all wheel hardware. Look for loose nuts or bolts along with damage that may affect proper torque retention.
• Re-Torque Lug Nuts After Any Wheel Removal – Significant torque loss can occur after removing wheels for any reason. Always re-torque lugs to specs using the star sequence even after a quick change.
• Balance New Tires and Wheels – High speeds combined with any residual imbalance in new rims and rubber causes annoying vibrations and drivetrain wear. Always balance new wheel/tire components before installation.
• Use Nickel-Plated or Alloy-Compatible Wheel Weights – Ensure any adhesive weights used to balance steel and alloy wheels avoid corrosion caused by metal mixing. Never apply standard lead weights to expensive aluminum rims.

Following the bolt pattern guidance in this post along with proper ongoing maintenance keeps your Chevy Cruze wheels securely attached while rolling smoothly for decades of comfortable cruising.

The Key is in the Pattern and Specs

Whether you’re seeking triggers like 26mm, 18 inch wheels or keywords like PCD or pitch circle diameter, this guide covers all the correct bolt pattern terminology. We distilled down the crucial foundation necessary to match perfect fitting wheels to your Chevy Cruze.

With the facts on safety, measurement methods, fitment nuances and maintenance tips, you have all the pattern particulars at hand. Equipped with this helpful information, your Cruze wheels can now confidently carry you anywhere the open road leads for years of carefree driving.

Now that you know your precise bolt pattern , navigate to some quality wheels, double check they match all your Cruze’s specs, click that “Buy Now” button with certainty, and enjoy the smooth ride ahead.

Your Chevy Cruze will dash down the highway nestled in gorgeous rims made just for your wheels’ special pattern. So go ahead, bolt-on that style and peace of mind knowing your perfect shoes will always align thanks to paying attention to that crucial 5x105mm measurement.