The Chevy Colorado is the direct successor to the popular Chevy S-10 of the 80s to the early 2000s.
First introduced in 2004, the Colorado has represented Chevrolet in the compact, and later on, mid-sized pickup truck category.
Just like what we have done with Chevrolet’s full-size Silverado lineup, we’re also going to take a look at the correct bolt (or lug) pattern for the Colorado for all of your wheel-fitting needs.
What is the bolt pattern of a Chevy Colorado?
From 2004 to 2012, the Chevy Colorado was fitted with a bolt pattern that measured 6×5.5 inches (6×139.7mm).
Chevy Colorados produced from 2015 up to the current model (2022) use a 6×4.72-inch (6x120mm) bolt pattern.
Currently, there are only two generations of the Colorado ever made, and the two different bolt patterns mentioned above line up perfectly with them.
Notice how there is a gap between 2012 and 2015, as Chevrolet decided to put the Colorado on hiatus before eventually coming back and unveiling a new generation a few years later.
But as much as it is easy to remember the Colorado’s bolt pattern, it’s not the only kind of remembering that you need to do when fitting new wheels.
You also need to consider other factors such as bolt specifications and even the factory tire and rim sizes.
These, along with the bolt pattern, will paint a clearer picture for you of whether or not the wheels that you want will fit on your Colorado.
Wheel and Bolt Specifications for the Chevy Colorado
The bolt specifications of the Chevy Colorado are shared among all trim levels within the same generations.
These specifications are the center bore diameter, type of wheel fastener, thread size, and torque tightening specification.
On the other hand, the wheel specifications (tire and rim sizes) are dependent on the specific trim level in question.
As you read on below, you will see how each generation is actually split into two different sets of production years with their own respective trim level and wheel pairings.
2nd Generation (2015 – Present)
As with its bolt pattern, the 2nd-generation Colorado uses the same set of bolt specifications for every trim level it had over the years.
Center Bore Diameter: 66.9mm
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (6)
Thread Size: M14x1.5
Torque Spec: 140lb-ft (190Nm)
The 2nd generation’s wheel specifications have been arranged according to the tire and rim sizes offered from 2021 to 2022 and 2015 to 2020.
Chevy Colorados produced from 2021 to 2022 have 3 trim levels to choose from according to the engine fitted.
Both the mid-level 2.8D and top-of-the-line 3.6 models share the same wheel specifications, while the base 2.5 petrol model only has half of the options that the former two have.
Colorados produced from 2015 to 2020 went through a gradual increase in the number of engine options, but all ultimately kept the same wheel specifications throughout the years.
2015 Colorados only had the 2.5 and 3.6 options, with the 2.8D only being introduced the following year.
By 2018, a second 2.8D (ZR2) option with a slightly higher power output was introduced but has again kept the same wheel specifications as the first.
2021 – 2022
| Trim Level | Tire Size | Rim Size |
2.5 I4 | 265/70R16 | 7Jx16 ET33 |
| 255/65R17 | 8Jx17 ET33 | |
2.8D3.6 V6 | 265/70R16 | 7Jx16 ET33 |
| 255/65R17265/65R17 | 8Jx17 ET33 | |
| 265/60R18 | 8.5Jx18 ET33 |
2015 – 2020
| Trim Level | Tire Size | Rim Size |
2.5 I42.8D/2.8D ZR23.6 V6 | 265/70R16 | 7Jx16 ET33 |
| 255/65R17 | 8Jx17 ET33 |
1st Generation (2004 – 2012)
The 1st-generation Colorado has kept the same standard bolt specifications from the beginning to the end of its production years.
The center bores were a lot bigger on the 1st-generation Colorados, but the thread sizes had a diameter that was 2 millimeters smaller (M12) than the 2nd-generation ones (M14).
The torque tightening specification required for this generation was also lower by a substantial amount.
Center Bore Diameter: 100.3mm
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (6)
Thread Size: M12x1.5
Torque Spec: 100lb-ft (140Nm)
When it came to the wheel specifications and trim levels, the 1st-generation Colorado had a lot more variety.
Just like the 2nd generation, the 1st generation was split into two different timelines, each displaying its own pairings of trim levels and wheel specifications.
1st-generation Colorados made from 2009 to 2012 included 3 different engine sizes that were further classified into either the Z85, Z71, or ZQ8 Sport trims.
The Z85 trim offered both 2WD and 4WD options, which basically determined the wheel specifications for it.
The Z71 and ZQ8 trims only received 2WD systems, and both of them had different sets of wheel specifications.
The earlier 1st-generation Colorados from 2004 to 2008 had a total of 4 engine options with several wheel specifications.
These wheel specifications were determined by whether or not the engine option had 2WD or 4WD, or whether it had the Z71 or ZQ8 trim.
Both the 2.8 and 3.5-liter engines were the first to be offered until they were eventually replaced in 2007 with bigger 2.9 and 3.7-liter ones.
All 4 engines received either a 2WD or 4WD system, while only the 3.5 and 3.7-liter ones received an additional Z71 or ZQ8 trim.
2009 – 2012
| Trim Level | Tire Size | Rim Size |
| 2.9L Z85 2WD3.7L Z85 2WD5.3L Z85 2WD | 215/70R16 | 6Jx16 ET23 |
| 2.9L Z85 4WD3.7L Z85 4WD5.3L Z85 4WD | 235/75R16 | 6.5Jx16 ET41 |
| 3.7L Z715.3L Z71 | 265/70R17 | 7Jx17 ET33 |
| 5.3L ZQ8 Sport | 235/50ZR18 | 8Jx18 ET28 |
2004 – 2008
| Trim Level | Tire Size | Rim Size |
| 2.8L 2WD (2004 – 2006)3.5L 2WD (2004 – 2006)2.9L 2WD (2007 – 2008)3.7L 2WD (2007 – 2008) | 205/75R15 | 6Jx15 ET57 |
| 225/75R15 (2.8L, 3.5L, 3.7L)225/70R15 (2.9L only) | 6.5Jx15 ET23 | |
| 2.8L 4WD (2004 – 2006)3.5L 4WD (2004 – 2006)2.9L 4WD (2007 – 2008)3.7L 4WD (2007 – 2008) | 235/75R15 | 6Jx15 ET576.5Jx15 ET23 |
| 3.5L Z71 (2004 – 2006)3.7L Z71 (2007 – 2008) | 265/75R15 | 7Jx15 ET33 |
| 3.5L ZQ8 (2004 – 2006)3.7L ZQ8 (2007 – 2008) | 235/50R17 | 8Jx17 ET28 |
How to Properly Tighten the Bolts on a Chevy Colorado
The Chevy Colorado’s bolts are subject to all sorts of stresses as you’re driving along, and such stresses can cause loosening over time.
In order to avoid this, it’s essential to check the current torque value of your bolts and retighten them to the recommended specification if needed.
Since the Chevy Colorado has a 6-lug pattern, the diagram below is the proper order of tightening all of the bolts.
Simply tighten the bolts one by one following the numbers and arrows, and you’ll form a specific criss-cross pattern that evenly distributes the tightening force across the wheel.
For safety purposes, tighten the bolts up to only about half of the recommended torque value if the truck is still on jack stands.
You can then fully tighten them up to the recommended torque value of 140lb-ft or 100lb-ft (depending on your Colorado’s generation) after lowering the truck back to the ground.
After approximately 50 to 100 miles of driving, you should check the bolts again for any signs of loosening and retighten them if needed.
If the bolts keep loosening, then you may need to clean off any accumulated dirt between the wheel mating surfaces or replace the bolts entirely.
Additionally, you can check the calibration of your torque wrench to rule out any possibilities of under-torquing.
Tire Change Schedule for the Chevy Colorado
The tires are a car’s main contact points with the road, which means they can be subject to a lot of wear and tear the more frequent you drive.
On a vehicle like the Chevy Colorado, the tires may go through the extra task of carrying stuff on its bed or towing sizable trailers compared to the standard sedan.
With this considered, it’s important to check your tires to see if they are still up to the task or are already in need of replacing.
As a general rule, tires on the Colorado last around 60,000 to 75,000 miles (97,000 – 121,000km). If you’re anywhere within that mileage, then it’s time for a tire change.
Suppose you’re not exactly sure when was your last tire change, then we’ll be giving you common ways to measure the amount of tread life left on your tires.
One popular way is called the “penny trick”, which involves placing a penny upside down between your tire treads as demonstrated below.
If half of Lincoln’s head still stays hidden, then you still have a good amount of tread life left.
If his head is already fully exposed, however, then it means that there is less than 1/16 of an inch left on your tire treads, rendering your tires due for replacement.
Another good way to measure is by using the indicator bars located between the tire treads themselves.
On new tires, the bars start off being deep within the grooves, but will eventually get to the same level as the treads as the tires get worn off over time.
When they reach that point, then the tires are already too worn out to safely drive on.
Tire Rotation Schedule for the Chevy Colorado
As with any car, tire rotations for the Chevy Colorado will come a lot sooner. They are performed to ensure that your tires wear evenly, after all.
Since the Chevy Colorado has RWD and 4WD configurations, we’ll be using the same “rearward cross” rotation pattern previously discussed in our Chevy 2500 article.
Tire rotations for RWD Colorados are recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,000km).
However, 4WD Colorados need earlier tire rotations at 3,000 to 5,000 miles (4,800 to 8000km) due to all four wheels being actively engaged by the engine’s power output.
