We’ve written extensively about the Chevy Cruze and numerous questions you can have about this car. Today, we’re going to talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your Cruze. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
All Chevy Cruze with a gasoline engine have a bolt pattern of 5×4.134″ (5x105mm), and a center bore of 2.22″ (56.6mm). The diesel engines have a bolt pattern of 5×4.53″ (5x115mm), and a center bore of 2.76″ (70.2mm). They all use five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 103 lb-ft (140Nm) of force.
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve outlined the bolt pattern in more detail for each generation. We also discuss what lugs/bolts are used precisely, the exact diameter of the center bore hub, and the torque specifications of the bolts. Finally, we also have information about each engine type’s exact tire size and rim size. You should know precisely what you can and cannot buy this way. Read on!
Also, read our main article in which we outline the bolt pattern for all Chevy models.
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your Cruze, you’ll need to know more aspects than just the bolt pattern. Below we’ve outlined all the factors you should be aware of for each generation of the Cruze. These include: center bore diameter, wheel tightening torque, whether lug nuts or bolts are used, and the thread size of the bolts.
We also want to clarify that the below-listed specifications are the same for all models within that generation. The Cruze, of course, comes in different trim levels and engine options. However, these bolt patterns, lugs used, and torque specifications do not change for other models within a generation.
Furthermore, we also listed the exact tire and rim size used with each engine option to give you a precise idea of what tires you can and cannot buy.
2009 – 2012 (Generation I)
- Cruze with a 1.6L and 1.8L engine have a standard tire size of 205/65R15, 205/60R16 or 215/50R17 with a rim size of 6.5Jx15 ET39, 6.5Jx16 ET39 or 7Jx17 ET42.
- Cruze with a 2.0L engine have a standard tire size of 205/60R16 or 225/50R17 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET41 or 7Jx17 ET44.
2012 – 2014 & 2015 – 2018 (Facelift I)
- Cruze with a 1.4L engine have a standard tire size of 215/60R16 or 215/55R17 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET39 or 7Jx17 ET42.
- Cruze with a 1.8L engine have a standard tire size of 215/60R16 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET39.
- Cruze with a 2.0L engine have a standard tire size of 215/55R17 and a rim size of 7Jx17 ET44.
2016 – 2021 (Generation II)
- Cruze with a 1.4L engine have a standard tire size of 195/65R15, 205/55R16 or 225/45R17 with a rim size of 6Jx15 ET41, 7Jx16 ET41 or 7.5Jx17 ET44.
- Cruze with a 1.6L engine have a standard tire size of 205/55R16 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET41.
2021 – Present (Facelift II)
- Cruze with a 1.4L engine have a standard tire size of 215/50R17 and a rim size of 7Jx17 ET44.
Retightening The Bolts
As you saw above, all generations of Cruze have a total of five lug nuts that need to be secured. Once your wheel has been replaced, it’s important to tighten these lugs properly. In the owner’s manual of the Cruze, it’s stated that these lug nuts should be tightened in a crisscross sequence, as shown in the image below.
You do this by tightening all the nuts with a wheel wrench first. Please make sure only to tighten them halfway; otherwise, you’ll run into problems.
In a second round, you tighten them all thoroughly. This will make sure that all lug nuts are put on evenly. You should tighten the wheel lugs to the exact Nm stated earlier.
Furthermore, your wheel likely has a cover or center cap. After tightening all the bolts, this should be tightened as well. Tighten all five plastic caps hand snug, then tighten them with the wheel wrench an additional one-quarter turn.
Finally, you should carry out one more safety check after 30 miles (48 kilometers). Make sure that all the lug nuts are still secured in place and that the right pressure is still applied to them. If not, tighten the bolts again and recheck them again after the same number of miles.
When Or Why To Rotate/Change Tires
If you’re looking to replace your tires, it’s also essential to know precisely when to rotate and change tires. Changing a tire should happen every time the tread wear indicators become visible, as indicated in the image below. This occurs when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less tread remaining. With most tires of the Chevy Cruze, this means they will need to be replaced every 60,000 – 75,000 miles or 4-5 years.
Another moment when you’ll need to take off the lug nuts of the wheels or when you need to replace tires is when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the Chevy Cruze, it’s stated that tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles (12,000 kilometers). Furthermore, it’s advised that you rotate the tires in the exact way shown in the image below. You move the front tires to the rear and the back tires to the front while switching sides.
Sources
- https://www.wheel-size.com/size/chevrolet/cruze/
- https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2018/Chevrolet/Cruze/2018-chevrolet-cruze-owners-manual.pdf
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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