We’ve written extensively about the Dodge Grand Caravan 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 Grand Caravan. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
All Dodge Grand Caravan have a bolt pattern of 5×5 inches (5x127mm), and a center bore of 2.82 inches (71.6mm). They also have five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 100 lb-ft (125Nm) 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 Dodge models.
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your Grand Caravan, 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 Grand Caravan. 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 Grand Caravan, 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.
2008 – 2010
- Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.3i engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R16 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET40.
- Grand Caravan with a 3.8i engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R16 or 225/65R17 and a standard rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET40 or 6.5Jx17 ET40.
- Grand Caravan with a 4.0i engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R17 or 225/55R19 and a standard rim size of 6.5Jx17 ET40 or 7Jx19 ET40.
2011 – 2014
- Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.6i engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R16, 225/65R17, or 225/55R19 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET40, 6.5Jx17 ET40 or 7Jx19 ET40.
2015 – 2021
- Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.6i engine have a standard tire size of 225/65R17 or 225/55R19 and a rim size of 6.5Jx17 ET40 or 7Jx19 ET40.
Retightening The Bolts
As you saw above, all generations of Grand Caravan 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 Grand Caravan, 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 Grand Caravan, 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 Grand Caravan, 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://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/dodge/2020-grandcaravan.pdf
- https://www.wheel-size.com/size/dodge/grand-caravan/
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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