We’ve written extensively about the GMC Yukon 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 Yukon. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
GMC Yukon, manufactured between 1991 – 1999, have a bolt pattern of 5×5 inches (5x127mm). GMC Yukon manufactured from 2000 onwards, including today’s ones, have a bolt pattern of 6×5.5 inches (6×139.7mm).
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 GMC models or dive deeper into the Yukon by checking out the transmission specs.
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your Yukon, 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 Yukon. 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 Yukon, 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.
Center Bore, Thread Size And Torque
Before we look at the tire and rim size of each generation and the models within that generation, we want to specify other relevant information that you’ll need if you’re changing your tires. That information is as follows:
- GMC Yukon manufactured between 1991 – 1999 have a center bore of 3.08 inches (78.3mm) and five lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with a wheel torque of 140 lb-ft (190Nm).
- GMC Yukon manufactured from 2000 onwards, including the ones produced today, have a center bore of 3.08 inches (78.1mm) and six lug nuts that need to be tightened with a wheel torque of 140 lb-ft (190Nm).
2021 – Present-day
- Yukon with a 3.0TD, 5.3i or 6.2i engine have a standard tire size of 265/65R18 or 275/55R20 and a rim size of 8.5Jx18 ET26 or 9Jx20 ET28.
2015 – 2020
- Yukon with a 5.3i engine have a standard tire size of 265/65R18 or 275/55R20 and a rim size of 8.5Jx18 ET24 or 9Jx20 ET27.
- Yukon with a 6.2i engine have a standard tire size of 275/55R20 and a rim size of 9Jx20 ET27.
2007 – 2014
- Yukon with a 5.3i engine have a standard tire size of LT265/70R17 or LT265/65R18 and a rim size of 7.5Jx17 ET31 or 8Jx18 ET31.
- Yukon with a 6.0i or 6.2i engine have a standard tire size of LT265/65R18 or LT275/55R20 and a rim size of 8Jx18 ET31 or 8.5Jx20 ET31.
2005 – 2006
- Yukon with a 4.8i or 5.3i engine have a standard tire size of LT265/70R16 or LT265/65R17 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31 or 7.5Jx17 ET31.
- Yukon with a 6.0i engine have a standard tire size of LT245/75R16 or LT265/70R16 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET31 or 7Jx16 ET31.
2000 – 2004
- Yukon with a 4.8i or 5.3i engine have a standard tire size of LT245/75R16 or LT265/70R16 and a rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET31 or 7Jx16 ET31.
1991 – 1999
- Yukon with a 5.7i 2WD or 6.5D engine have a standard tire size of 235/75R15 and a rim size of 7Jx15 ET31.
- Yukon with a 5.7i engine and 4WD have a standard tire size of 245/75R16 and a rim size of 7Jx16 ET31.
Retightening The Bolts
As said before, all generations of the Yukon that we discussed have five or 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. GMC advises you to bolt these nuts in the way that’s 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 Yukon 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.
Another occasion when you’ll need to take off your tires is when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the Yukon, 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.
Conclusion
Bolt patterns can be confusing but they sure are important! Luckily, they don’t change too much between multiple GMC Yukon generations and while transmissions, engines, and fuel requirements can vary year to year, GMC has kept bolt patterns pretty consistent over the years.
Sources
- https://www.wheel-size.com/size/gmc/yukon/
- https://my.gm.ca/gmc/en/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/GMCC/dynamic/2021/gmc/yukon/en/2021-gmc-yukon-xl-denali-owners-manual-english.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.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!