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The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Chevy Tahoe

The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Chevy Tahoe

We’ve written extensively about the American-made Chevy Tahoe 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 Tahoe. 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 Tahoe have a bolt pattern of 6×5.5 inches (6×139.7mm). The wheels have a center bore of 3.07 inches (78.1mm) and six lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 140 lb-ft (190 Nm) of force.

The 6-lug pattern is common across many larger Chevy vehicles including the Colorado or Silverado. (excluding the big ol’ Silverado 2500 of course).

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. This way, you should know precisely what you can and cannot buy. 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 Tahoe, 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 Tahoe. 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 Tahoe, 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.

2021 – Present

  • Tahoe with a 3.0L and 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 265/65R18, 275/60R20, or 275/50R22 with a rim size of 8.5Jx18 ET26, 9Jx20 ET28, or 9Jx22 ET28.
  • Tahoe with a 6.2L engine have a standard tire size of 275/50R22 and a rim size of 9Jx22 ET28.

2015 – 2020

  • Tahoe with a 5.3L and 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.

2007 – 2014

  • Tahoe with 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 265/70R17, 265/65R18, or 275/55R20 and a rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET31, 8Jx18 ET31, or 8.5Jx20 ET31.

2000 – 2006

Tahoe with a 4.8L and 5.3L engine have a standard tire size of 265/70R16 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31.

1995 – 2000

Tahoe with a 5.7L engine and 4WD have a standard tire size of LT245/75R16, or 245/75R16, and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET50 for both tire sizes. The RWD version has a standard tire size of 235/75R15 and a rim size of 7Jx15 ET0.

Retightening The Bolts

As said before, all generations of the Tahoe 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 that’s shown below. You have to follow a crisscross pattern.

six lug bolt 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 Tahoe needs to have the bolt tightened to 140 lb-ft. This is very tight.

It’s expected that your wheel 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 make sure 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

Suppose you’re changing your tire. You also need to know when to change or rotate it precisely. Let’s first talk about changing your tires. Tires usually last around 60,000 – 75,000 miles or 4-5 years. After this period they need to be replaced. Sometimes this happens earlier, and therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the tread wear indicators. These are shown in the image below. These indicators show when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less tread remaining.

image explaining tire thread depth

Another occasion when you’ll need to take off your tires with when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the Tahoe, it’s said that this needs to happen every 7,500 miles or 12,000 kilometers. It’s advised you rotate the tires in the exact way that’s shown below. The front tires are moved to the back, and the front tires move crisscross to the front.

tire rotation pattern

Sources

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