The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Chevy Silverado 1500

We’ve written extensively about the Chevy Silverado 1500 and numerous questions you can have about this car. Today, we will talk about the information you need to select the correct new tires or rims for your Silverado 1500. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:

All generations of the Chevy Silverado 1500 manufactured between 1999 – Present have a bolt pattern of 6 x 5.5 inches (6×139.7mm). Furthermore, the wheels have a center bore of 78.1mm, and they have six lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 140 lb-ft (190Nm) of torque.

That means the Silverado has a 6-lug pattern which you can also see in several other Chevy vehicles including the Colorado and Tahoe. That’s compared to the 5-lug pattern in smaller vehicles like the Malibu or Cruze.

However, that quick answer 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. This way, you should know precisely what you can and cannot buy. Read on!

What's Inside show

Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation

To fit a wheel properly on your Silverado 1500, 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 Silverado 1500. 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 Silverado 1500, 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.

1999 – 2003

Silverado 1500 with 2WD and a 4.3, 4.8 or 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 235/75R16 or 255/70R16 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with 4WD and a 4.3, 4.8, or 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 245/75R16 or 265/75R16 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with a 6.0L engine have a standard tire size of 275/55R20 and a rim size of 8.5Jx20 ET22.

2004 – 2006

Silverado 1500 with 2WD and a 4.3, 4.8 or 5.3L engine (except for the hybrids) have a standard tire size 235/75R16, 255/70R16, 245/70R17 or 265/70R17 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31 or 7.5Jx17 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with 4WD and a 4.3, 4.8, or 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 245/75R16, 265/75R16 or 265/70R17 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31 or 7.5Jx17 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with 2WD and a 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 235/75R16 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31. The 4WD version has a standard tire size of 245/75R16 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with a 6.0L engine have a standard tire size of 275/55R20 and a rim size of 8.5Jx20 ET22.

2007 – 2009

Silverado 1500 with a 4.3, 5.3 or 6.0L engine have a standard tire size of 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18 or 275/55R20 and a rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET31, 8Jx18 ET31 or 8.5Jx20 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with a 4.8L engine have a standard tire size of 245/70R17, 265/70R17 or 275/55R20 and a rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET31 or 8.5Jx20 ET31.

2010 – 2013

Silverado 1500 with a 4.3 or 6.2L engine have a standard tire size of 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18 or 275/55R20 and a rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET31, 8Jx18 ET31 or 8.5Jx20 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with a 4.8 or 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 245/70R17, 265/70R17 or 275/55R20 and a rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET31 or 8.5Jx20 ET31.
Silverado 1500 with a 6.0L engine have a standard tire size of 265/65R18 and a rim size of 8Jx18 ET31.

2014 – 2015

Silverado with a 4.3 or 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 255/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, 275/55R20 or 285/45R22 and a rim size of 8Jx17 ET24, 8.5Jx18 ET249, 9Jx20 ET27 or 9Jx22 ET24.
Silverado with a 6.2L engine have a standard tire size of 265/65R18, 275/55R20 or 285/45R22 and a rim size of 8.5Jx18 ET24, 9Jx20 ET27 or 9Jx22 ET24.

2016 – 2018

Silverado 1500 with a 4.3 or 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 255/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, 275/55R20 or 285/45R22 and a rim size of 8Jx17 ET24, 8.5Jx18 ET24, 9Jx20 ET27 or 9Jx22 ET24.
Silverado 1500 with a 6.2L engine have a standard tire size of 265/65R18, 275/55R20, or 285/45R22 and a rim size of 8.5Jx18 ET24, 9Jx20 ET27 or 9Jx22 ET24.

2019 – Present

Silverado 1500 with a 2.7 turbo or 4.3L engine have a standard tire size of 255/70R17 or 265/65R18 and a rim size of 8Jx17 ET24 or 8Jx17 ET246.
Silverado 1500 with a 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 265/65R18 or 275/60R20 and a rim size of 8.5Jx18 ET26 or 9Jx20 ET28.
Silverado with a 6.2L engine have a standard tire size of 275/60R20 and a rim size of 9Jx20 ET28.

Retightening The Bolts

As said before, all generations of the Silverado 1500 that we discussed have six lug nuts. These need to be secured in a specific way when you mount the wheel to the car again. This information is stated in the owner’s manual, but we’ve gone through the effort of instructing you here. Chevrolet advises you to bolt these nuts in the way shown below. You have to follow a crisscross pattern.

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 the second round, you tighten them with the wheel wrench to the appropriate lbs-ft or Nm that we’ve stated earlier. Please note that the current generation of the Silverado 1500 needs to have the bolt tightened to 140 lb-ft. This is very tight.

It’s expected that your wheels also have a center cap or cover. These need to be secured in the same pattern. Please tighten them first-hand snug with your hands. Then, use the wheel wrench to tighten them another one-quarter turn.

It’s also important to check if the lug nuts are still secured after 30 miles (48 kilometers). Please ensure they are all in place and still tightened with the proper force. If not, tighten them again and recheck. If this keeps happening, you’ll need to replace the wheel.

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 Silverado 1500, 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 Silverado 1500, 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.

Where Is The Tire Iron Found In The Chevy Silverado 1500?

You can typically find the tire iron, or lug wrench, as part of a tool kit stored under the rear seat.

To access it, lift the bottom of the rear seat; you should find a small storage compartment there. Inside, you’ll see a kit that contains your tire iron and other tools necessary for changing a tire, such as a jack handle. This video does a great job walking you through the process:

Closing Thoughts

Having explored the depths of the Chevy Silverado 1500’s bolt pattern and what it means for your tire or rim selection, it’s clear that every detail plays a vital role in your vehicle’s performance and safety.

The 6-lug pattern isn’t shared by the larger Silverado 2500, which uses an 8-lug design. Instead, you’ll see more similarities to vehicles like the Ford Explorer or Ram 1500– at least when it comes to bolt pattern.

Knowing exactly what you can and cannot buy for your Silverado 1500 not only saves you time and money but also ensures that your vehicle performs at its best. From the engine type’s specific tire and rim size to the torque specifications of the bolts, all these details culminate in your Chevy’s optimal operation.

Remember, staying informed about your vehicle’s requirements and common problems, whether it’s the transmission or lug pattern, is the first step towards a long and rewarding ownership experience. Keep exploring our wealth of articles to continually equip yourself with the knowledge you need for your automotive journey. Safe travels!

Sources

Stefan K.

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.

Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!

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