We’ve written extensively about the Chevy Equinox and numerous questions you can have about this carlike the Chevy Equinox gas type.
Today, we will talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your Equinox. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
Chevy Equinox manufactured between 2005 – 2009 and 2017 – Present have a bolt pattern of 5×4.53″ (5x115mm). Equinox manufactured between 2010 – 2016 have a bolt pattern of 5×4.72 (5x120mm).
That’s different from larger Chevy vehicles like the Silverado 1500 which has a 6-lug pattern or the much larger Silverado 2500 with an 8-lug bolt pattern.
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!
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your Equinox, 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 Equinox. 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 Equinox, 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. It’s also common to see the same patterns used across multiple Chevy models.
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.
2005 – 2009 (Generation I)
Chevy Equinox manufactured between 2005 – 2009 have a center bore of 70.3mm and five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 100 lb-ft (140Nm) of force.
- Equinox with a 3.4L engine have a standard tire size of 235/65R16 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET46.
- Equinox with a 3.6L engine have a standard tire size of 235/50ZR18 and a rim size of 7Jx18 ET46.
2010 – 2017 (Generation II & Facelift II)
Chevy Equinox, manufactured between 2010 – 2017, have a center bore of 66.9mm and five lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 100 lb-ft (140Nm) of force.
- Equinox with a 2.4L or 3.6L engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R17 and a rim size of 7Jx17 ET43.
2017 – Present (Generation III & Facelift III)
Chevy Equinox, manufactured between 2017 – Present, have a center bore of 70.3mm and five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 100 lb-ft (140Nm) of force.
- Equinox with a 1.5L (2017 – 2020), 1.6L or 2.0L engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R17 and a rim size of 7Jx17 ET41. From 2021 onwards Equinox with a 1.5L turbo engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R17, 225/60R18 or 235/50R19 and a rim size of 7Jx17 ET41, 7Jx18 ET43 and 7.5Jx19 ET46.
Retightening The Bolts
As you saw above, all generations of Equinox 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 Equinox, 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 Equinox, 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 Equinox, 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/equinox/
- https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2021/chevrolet/equinox/2021-chevrolet-equinox-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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