The torque specification is crucial when changing tires yourself. Use the following guide to learn what to pay special attention to with alloy rims and why a torque wrench is essential
Copyright: Torquemaster via Wikimedia Commons
What Exactly Is Torque?
Also known as tightening torque, torque specifies how tightly a bolt should be fastened to its counterpart without being overtightened. The unit of measurement is Newton meter (Nm). Newton measures the force required to tighten the wheel nuts or bolts, while the meter refers to the length of the lever, in the form of a torque wrench, used to tighten or loosen the bolts.
It is important to set the correct torque value on your torque wrench. The range of possible settings varies between the minimum and maximum values available. Ensure that your torque wrench has a reversible lever, allowing you to change the direction of rotation. This feature enables you to loosen bolts before changing the rims on your vehicle.
What Is the Torque Specification for Alloy Rims?
For a typical car, the torque value generally ranges between approximately 80 Nm and 160 Nm. For vans or transporters, the value is naturally higher due to the greater weight each wheel must support. There is a wide range, so it is important to follow the correct specifications. The following factors are primarily important when tightening the wheel bolts on your rims:
die The size of the alloy rims you are using
die The number of wheel bolts required for fastening
Generally, 4 or 5 bolts are used to secure the rims to the car. When switching to alloy rims, additional selection criteria are important. Information about the dimensions of the original rims can be found in the vehicle registration document, listed under number 22 as the successor to the registration certificate.
What happens if wheel nuts or bolts are too loose after tightening? It can lead to dangerous situations on the road if they come loose, causing the wheel to detach from its mounting. Be aware of any unusual noises after a wheel and rim change, as they could indicate a potential hazard.
Conversely, if the torque is too high, there is a risk of damaging the bolts and threads. In extreme cases, this can lead to irreparable material damage and defects in the wheel well area, including the brake discs.
Determining the Correct Torque for My Rims
Not everyone feels comfortable changing tyres or swapping complete wheels themselves. If needed, we offer a service where new rims and tires can be sent to one of our partner workshops in your area. There, the change is performed quickly and reliably using adjustable pneumatic wrenches with their distinctive rattling sound, without requiring you to handle the technical details. You can drop off your vehicle and pick it up on the same day or the following day, depending on the arrangement and processing time.
There are several ways to determine the correct torque for systems with wheel nuts and bolts, depending on the specifications for each vehicle:
If you are currently using original rims, refer to your vehicle's owner's manual.
For new purchases, find the necessary information in the rim certification.
Or consult our torque table.
Note for Our Customers: When searching for the right alloy rims in our online shop, you can view or download the corresponding rim certification as a PDF for each model, providing you with all the relevant information at a glance.
If you do not perform the wheel change yourself but have a workshop do it, you will be advised to retighten the wheel nuts or bolts after approximately 50 to 100 km. This is a precautionary measure you should follow. This also applies to self-performed tire changes, as mistakes can happen to anyone. Set the necessary torque on your torque wrench again and retighten all the wheels.
Legal Information: According to the ADAC, workshops are not relieved of liability by providing a verbal or written reminder for a post-check should a damage occur. The Munich Higher Regional Court ruled on this in May 2021, making the judgment legally binding.
Proper Use of the Torque Wrench
It is important to tighten the bolts or nuts clockwise. It is advisable to set your torque wrench to half the specified torque first and then to the full torque. Check all the wheels and tighten the diagonally opposite bolts in each case.
Ideally, keep the tool handy in your car to perform this measure on the go whenever necessary. The checking process is also recommended before a long vacation trip, as nothing is more annoying than a tire puncture while trying to relax.
Order Alloy Rims at Low Prices in Our Online Shop
As an established and experienced online retailer, we are one of the leading providers in Europe. We offer a wide selection of sporty and stylish alloy rims from well-known manufacturers such as AEZ, RC-Design, or BBS. You can find the right models using our easy-to-use alloy rim configurator. You can narrow down your search by entering vehicle and type-specific details in the respective fields. The procedure is identical if you want to order affordable tires or complete wheel sets in our value package.
If you have any further questions, please contact our customer service by phone. Our team is available Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 10 PM to assist you. We look forward to hearing from you!
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