2009 Audi A6 Wheel Interchange
2009 Audi A6 Wheel Fitment Baseline
I steward fitment risk for DIY owners and techs. Let’s start with what is known for the 2009 Audi A6, then work the edge cases. If a value varies by trim or market, I will say so. Use the on-page calculator to confirm changes before you buy.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x112 |
| Center bore | 57.1 mm |
| Thread size | M14 x 1.5 |
| OEM rim diameter | 17 in |
| OEM rim width | 7.5 in |
| OEM offset (ET) | 45 mm |
| OEM backspacing | 5.52 in |
| OEM tire size | 225/50R17 |
Some trims and regions may ship with different wheel or tire packages. The door-jamb placard and the owner’s manual are your OEM sources of truth. If a spec is missing or uncertain, use the calculator on this page and match against the placard and VIN-based parts catalog.
Tip: The calculator compares Wheels from a donor vehicle to Installed on your vehicle. Changing rim diameter updates tire diameter in the comparison. Use that to keep total tire diameter in a reasonable window.
Edge cases that trip people up
- Offset creep: Small offset changes can push the inner barrel into the strut or poke the outer lip past the fender. The calculator will show inner clearance change and outer poke. Even a few millimeters can matter with wide tires.
- Center bore mismatch: Aftermarket wheels often have a larger bore. Running them without 57.1 mm hub-centric rings may cause vibration. Rings size from the wheel’s bore down to 57.1 mm.
- Fastener details: The A6 uses M14 x 1.5 bolts. Seat type and bolt length must match the wheel. Mixing seat types or coming up short on thread engagement can loosen under load.
- Brake hardware clearance: Bigger calipers or certain spoke designs may interfere. Barrel diameter and spoke pad depth both matter. A wheel can clear the barrel but still touch the caliper bridge.
- Spacers and adapters: Slip-on spacers may remove the hubcentric lip if too thick. That can shift centering to the bolts. If spacers are needed, hub-centric pieces with proper extended bolts reduce vibration risk.
- Tire diameter drift: Large changes can skew speedometer and stability control behavior. Many techs aim for a small percentage change relative to the baseline, as a mitigation.
- Staggered setups: Wider rears may alter handling balance. Quattro systems can be sensitive to rolling diameter differences. Proceed only if overall diameters match closely.
- TPMS considerations: Some cars use valve-stem sensors. Others use indirect wheel speed. If your car has sensors, confirm compatibility before mounting tires.
How to detect a risky fit before and after install
Before mounting
- Calculator check: Compare donor wheels to your A6. Watch inner clearance and outer poke numbers. Note tire diameter change when you alter rim size.
- Template test: Test-fit one front and one rear without tires. Spin by hand, turn lock to lock, check for any contact points.
- Caliper clearance: Hold a straightedge across the hub face. Measure to the nearest caliper point. Compare against wheel spoke pad height and barrel drop.
- Centering: Confirm wheel bore is at least 57.1 mm. If larger, plan the correct hub-centric rings.
- Fasteners: Verify M14 x 1.5 bolts, matching seat type, and suitable length for any spacers.
After mounting
- Vibration band: Shakes between 50 and 70 mph can point to hub-centric or balance issues.
- Rubbing audit: Full lock in a parking lot, then a slow speed bump test. Listen and inspect the liner and fender lips.
- Tire wear patterns: Fresh feathering or inner shoulder scuffing can signal interference or alignment shift.
- Electronic warnings: Unexpected ABS or stability lights after big diameter changes can happen. Re-check the calculator and tire diameter.
- Heat or odor near a corner: May indicate caliper contact with the barrel or spoke.
Mitigations if you are near the limits
- Use the calculator iteratively: Nudge width and offset until inner clearance shows a small positive margin. Keep outer poke modest relative to the arch.
- Keep total tire diameter close to the baseline: Many aim for a small percentage change. The calculator updates diameter as you edit sizes, which helps.
- Add hub-centric rings: Size them to 57.1 mm on the hub side, and to your wheel’s center bore on the other side. This can reduce mid-speed vibration.
- Select proper bolts: M14 x 1.5, correct seat, and enough shank engagement for any spacer used. Do not mix seat types across corners.
- Choose spacer style carefully: If you must run a spacer, hub-centric styles with matching lip are preferred. Re-check that the wheel still seats fully.
- Confirm brake clearance with clay: A thin layer on the suspect caliper area can show any contact points after a careful hand spin.
- Alignment touch-up: After tire or wheel width changes, a quick alignment check can reduce edge wear and rub events.
- Retorque after the first heat cycle: Recheck bolt torque once the assembly has cooled from its first drive.
Helpful tools and parts:
Safe defaults for the 2009 Audi A6
- Stay with 5x112 only. Adapters add complexity and risk in most cases.
- Center bore must seat on 57.1 mm. Use rings if the wheel bore is larger.
- Match M14 x 1.5 bolts and correct seat type. Keep thread engagement healthy.
- If unsure, the OEM baseline of 17x7.5 ET45 with 225/50R17 is a safe default.
- When changing sizes, keep total tire diameter close to stock. The calculator will show the change in real time.
- Avoid spacers unless needed for brake or inner clearance. If used, choose hub-centric and re-verify bolt length.
If your trim differs, confirm against the door placard and the VIN parts catalog. The calculator on this page helps Compare wheel compatibility between two vehiclesWheel interchange calculator
Select Cars for Wheel Swap
Wheels from (donor vehicle)
Installed on (your vehicle)
