What are the wheel specifications for the Golf 4?
2 Answers
The Golf 4 is equipped with 18-inch wheels. The tire specification for the Golf 4 is 205/55R16. The Volkswagen Golf uses Hankook tires, which primarily cater to small and compact cars. Wheel maintenance methods: In humid environments, wheels should be cleaned frequently to prevent salt corrosion on the aluminum surface. If necessary, after thorough cleaning, waxing can be applied to maintain the wheel's shine. When the wheel temperature is high, allow it to cool naturally before cleaning. Avoid using cold water for cleaning, as it can damage the aluminum wheels, cause brake disc deformation, and affect braking performance. Using cleaning agents on wheels may trigger chemical reactions on the surface, leading to loss of shine. When selecting tires, ensure the specifications match the previous tires and must be identical to the other tire on the same axle, including speed rating, load index, tread pattern, brand, size, etc., to ensure safe driving. The valve stem should also be replaced because the aging cycle of the new tire and the valve stem may differ. During the new tire's lifespan, the valve stem might develop issues that are not easily noticeable. Therefore, it's advisable to replace the valve stem when changing tires. For installation direction and inflation: If using the original factory tires, follow the manufacturer's instructions. For non-original tires, typically, the side with the production date should face outward. For directional tires, align the arrow on the wheel with the car's forward direction during installation. During inflation, you can initially fill the tire to the maximum allowed pressure and then reduce it to the manufacturer's specified standard pressure.
The wheel specifications of the Golf 4 are quite particular. The bolt pattern is 5x100, with a center bore diameter of 57.1 mm, and the ET value typically ranges between 35 and 45, with 38 being the most common. The factory-equipped wheels ranged from 14 to 16 inches in diameter, with widths mainly at 5.5J or 6J. When selecting aftermarket wheels, special attention must be paid to these parameters—if the bolt pattern doesn't match, the bolts won't fit. A difference of a few millimeters in the center bore requires the use of hub-centric rings, or else you might experience shaking at high speeds. If the ET value is modified too small, the wheels will protrude beyond the fenders, risking damage, while too large an ET might interfere with the brake discs. For upgrading to 17-inch wheels, I recommend pairing them with 205-width tires for the safest fit, keeping the ET value around 40—this improves handling without affecting steering. After upgrading the tires, remember to adjust the tire pressure; otherwise, ride comfort may suffer.
