Chevrolet Silverado: Wheels and Tires / Tire Rotation

Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km (7,500 mi). See Maintenance Schedule. Tires are rotated to achieve a more uniform wear for all tires. The first rotation is the most important.

Anytime unusual wear is noticed, rotate the tires as soon as possible, check for proper tire inflation pressure, and check for damaged tires or wheels. If the unusual wear continues after the rotation, check the wheel alignment. See When It Is Time for New Tires and Wheel Replacement.

Use this rotation pattern when rotating the tires if the vehicle has single rear wheels.

Dual Tire Rotation

When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel, wheel bolt, or wheel nut is replaced or serviced, check the wheel nut torque after 160, 1 600, and 10 000 km (100, 1,000, and 6,000 mi) of driving. For proper torque and wheel nut tightening information, see “Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire” under Tire Changing and “Wheel Nut Torque” under Capacities and Specifications and “Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire” under Tire Changing.

The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally wears faster than the inner tire. Tires last longer and wear more evenly if they are rotated. See Tire Inspection and Tire Rotation. Also see Maintenance Schedule.

Warning

If the vehicle is operated with a tire that is underinflated, the tire can overheat. An overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch fire. You or others could be injured. Properly inflate all tires, including the spare.

See Tire Pressure, for information on proper tire inflation.

Use this rotation pattern when rotating the tires if the vehicle has dual rear wheels (except polished forged aluminum wheels).

Vehicles with polished forged aluminum dual wheels have three unique wheels; a front, a rear outer and a rear inner. These wheels cannot be rotated to another position, however, they can be rotated from left to right to the same position.

Use this rotation pattern when rotating the tires if the vehicle has polished forged aluminum dual rear wheels. The spare wheel can be used in any position in the event of a flat tire, and can be rotated with the rear inner wheels. After the flat tire is repaired, if the spare is not on one of the inner rear positions, it must be replaced by the correct wheel in the front or rear outer positions.

When installing dual wheels, check that the vent holes in the inner and outer wheels on each side are lined up.

Adjust the front and rear tires to the recommended inflation pressure on the Tire and Loading Information label after the tires have been rotated. See Tire Pressure and Vehicle Load Limits.

Check that all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under Capacities and Specifications, and “Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire” under Tire Changing.

Warning

Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose after time. The wheel could come off and cause a crash. When changing a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, a cloth or a paper towel can be used; however, use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt.

Lightly coat the inner diameter of the wheel hub opening with wheel bearing grease after a wheel change or tire rotation to prevent corrosion or rust build-up. Do not get grease on the flat wheel mounting surface or on the wheel nuts or bolts.

Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), if the vehicle has one. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.

If the full-size tire is part of the tire rotation, make sure the tire rotated into the spare position is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use the wheel wrench/hoist shaft to tighten the cable. See Tire Changing.