The Impala was Chevrolet’s answer to the full-size sedan market, being a notch higher in size and performance compared to the mid-sized Malibu.
The Chevy Impala spans 10 generations, starting from 1958 until its discontinuation in 2020. As a result, it has undergone a lot of changes in its specifications throughout the decades.
One of these specifications includes its bolt pattern, which would be the main focus of this article.
To further complement the Chevy Impala’s bolt pattern, we have also included information regarding its other bolt specifications and even its factory tire and rim sizes.
What is the Chevy Impala’s bolt pattern?
2014 to 2020 Impalas used a bolt pattern of 5×4.53 inches (5x115mm), while 2000 to 2013 models had a 5×4.72-inch (5x120mm) one.
1994 to 1996 and 1958 to 1987 wagon Impalas used a 5×5-inch (5x127mm) bolt pattern.
Non-wagon Impalas from 1958 to 1987 used a 5×4.75-inch (5×120.7mm) bolt pattern.
As seen above, the Chevy Impala had four different bolt patterns throughout its entire production run.
This goes to show that a lot of its generations shared one type of bolt pattern.
The bolt pattern of the 2000 to 2013 production years, for instance, already includes both the 8th and 9th-generation Impala.
As you read on, you’ll also see that a lot of the Impala’s other bolt specifications are also shared among multiple generations (the same goes for its tires and rims).
With that said, we would still like to give a disclaimer that due to the age of the other generations, there is no guarantee of their accuracy and completeness.
Other than that, this will generally be a great guide to help you fit the right set of wheels on your Impala.
Wheel and Bolt Specifications of the Chevy Impala
Even though the Impala has 10 generations’ worth of specifications, you might be surprised that they’re not as difficult to wrap your head around as you would think.
Sure, there is still a considerable amount of info to go through. But as we said earlier, multiple generations use the same set of specifications.
Therefore, we’ll be grouping the wheel and bolt specifications of some generations together under one entry if deemed necessary.
The wheel specifications will include both the tire and rim sizes that are offered from the factory. These will be paired with the various trim levels of each generation.
The bolt specifications for each Impala generation will include its wheel’s center bore diameter, wheel fastener type, thread size, and torque tightening specification (torque spec).
10th-Generation Chevy Impala (2014 to 2020)
The 10th-generation Impala that lasted until 2020 marked the end of the Impala nameplate after almost a 70-year production run.
Among all of the Impala generations, it was the only one to utilize the exact combination of bolt specifications listed below.
It also had the smallest center bore diameter of all the Impala generations at only 2.63 inches (66.9mm).
Center Bore Diameter: 2.63 inches (66.9mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: M14x1.5
Torque Spec: 110lb-ft (150Nm)
There were a total of three trim levels ever offered for the 10th-generation Impala that determined its wheel specifications.
However, the 2.4-liter I4 (inline-4) Hybrid trim was only offered in the first year, while the 2.5-liter one was offered until 2019.
As seen below, some of the other tire and rim sizes are shared between all three trim levels.
Only the top-of-the-line 3.6-liter V6 trim had the option to have 245-millimeter tires paired with 20-inch rims.
8th and 9th-Generation Chevy Impala (2000 to 2013)
As we’ve mentioned before, the 8th and 9th-generation Impala shared the same bolt pattern.
But it turns out that they also share the exact same bolt specifications to go along with it.
They both had a slightly bigger center bore diameter at 2.77 inches (70.3mm) but had a smaller thread size and lesser torque tightening specification than the 10th generation.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.77 inches (70.3mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.5
Torque Spec: 110lb-ft (140Nm)
We have presented the two generations’ wheel specifications separately, as there are still some differences between the two that are worth highlighting.
9th-Generation (2006 to 2013)
The 9th-generation Impala had a total of four trim levels that lasted for different production years.
Both the 3.5 and 3.9-liter V6 trims lasted up until 2011, while the top-of-the-line 5.3-liter V8 trim only lasted until 2009.
All of these trim levels were then replaced by the sole 3.6-liter V6 option from 2012 to the end of the generation.
The 3.5 and 3.6-liter trims had identical tire sizes, but the latter had a rim offset that was 1 millimeter less than the former’s.
The other two trim levels otherwise had their own respective wheel specifications.
Take note that the “Z” indicated on the 5.3-liter trim’s tire code mean’s that it has a Z-rated speed capability (over 149mph).
8th-Generation (2000 to 2005)
The 8th-generation Impala had slightly fewer trim levels compared to the 9th generation.
There were initially only two trim levels until the top-of-the-line 3.8-liter SS V6 option was added into the mix in 2004.
Both the base 3.4-liter and 3.8-liter (non-SS) trims have shared the same wheel specifications, while the SS trim received its own Z-rated tire size and 17-inch rim size.
7th-Generation Chevy Impala (1994 to 1996)
The 7th-generation Impala was the last Impala before the nameplate had a 4-year-long hiatus until the introduction of the 8th generation in 2000.
Impala models from this generation had an even bigger 3.08-inch (78.3mm) center bore diameter.
Other than that, it sported the rest of the bolt specifications that we’ve already discussed for the 8th and 9th-generation Impalas.
Center Bore Diameter: 3.08 inches (78.3mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.5
Torque Spec: 110lb-ft (140Nm)
The 7th-generation Impala has one of the easiest wheel specifications to remember, as it only has one trim level and one pair of tire and rim sizes.
Contrary to the 8th generation which had multiple V6s, this generation only had one 5.7-liter SS V8 that was also equipped with Z-rated 255-millimeter tires and 17-inch rims.
1st to 6th-Generation Chevy Impala (1958 to 1985)
There was actually another earlier hiatus between the 6th and 7th generation Impala that made the two have drastically different dimensions and styling from each other.
Impala models from the 1st to 6th generation also had very different wheel and bolt specifications from the newer ones.
They differed not just in the actual measurements, but also in the way that they were measured.
Since all of these generations used the same bolt specifications, we decided to group them together under one entry.
But do take note that all wagon variants under these generations have their own thread sizes compared to non-wagon variants.
As for their wheel specifications, we have still made separate tables for each generation to highlight their differences.
Center Bore Diameter: 70.3mm
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: 7/16” – RH (Non-Wagon)
1/2″ – RH (Wagon)
Torque Spec: 110lb-ft (140Nm)
5th and 6th-Generation Impala Wheel Specifications (1971 to 1985)
The way that we’ve listed the 5th (1971 to 1976) and 6th-generation (1977 to 1985) Impala’s wheel specifications will be slightly different due to the nature of available info about them.
The two generations had the exact same wheel specifications from the factory, except for the 5th-generation Impala models specifically from 1972 that had different stock tire sizes.
During this time period, tire sizes were commonly written in either numeric or alphanumeric format as opposed to the metric codes that we use today (e.g. 225/40R18).
Their tires’ “section width” (the first value on the tire size) was in inches rather than millimeters. In this case, it would be both 8.15 inches and 7.75 inches listed below.
The second value (15 inches) would still be equivalent to the third value of metric tire codes (18 in 225/40R18) used to denote what rim diameter you can fit on today’s tires.
Furthermore, tire diameters were also commonly measured separately, as seen below.
Take note that if you were to convert these older wheel specifications to today’s tire codes, you can only convert them to the nearest equivalent that they have.
For instance, an 8.15-inch section width, when converted to the metric system, would be 209 millimeters. But modern tires don’t really come in 209-millimeter section width.
The nearest equivalent to that can range from 195 to 235-millimeter tires depending on the aspect ratio (series).
You can check out the tire size conversion chart we’ve provided below for more info.
4th-Generation Impala Wheel Specifications (1965 to 1970)
The 4th-generation Impala’s list of wheel specifications was very similar to the ones on the previously-discussed 5th and 6th-generation Impalas.
We have listed the wheel specifications as usual, but notice how the tire sizes are still in the old format.
Even the engine displacements back then were still commonly written in “cid” (Cubic Inch Displacement), but we’ve also written them in liters for formality’s sake.
They included the 3.8-liter (235cid), 4.6-liter (283cid), and 5.7-liter (348cid) trim levels, but their tire sizes were dependent on whether they were made between 1965 to 1966 or 1967 to 1970.
We’ve managed to collect more info regarding this generation’s only rim size, but you’ll also be working with only an offset range as with the last two generations.
3rd-Generation Impala Wheel Specifications (1961 to 1964)
The 3rd-generation Impala was manufactured from 1961 to 1964 with the same trim levels that we’ve mentioned for the 4th generation.
These trim levels were actually first used in the 1st-generation Impala back in 1958, as you’ll see later.
But for the 3rd-generation Impala specifically, trim levels received different tire sizes depending on their production year.
Only those made in 1961 received the smaller 7”x14” tire size, while those made later had a 7.5”x14” tire size instead.
2nd-Generation Impala Wheel Specifications (1959 to 1960)
The 2nd-generation Impala was only made for two production years, and it sported similar wheel specifications to the generations that preceded and succeeded it.
By taking a look at the table below, you can see that the 1960 trims actually have the same tire size used in the 3rd-generation 1961 trims.
The 1959 trims, however, were actually equipped with the same 6”x14” tire size used on the 1st-generation Impala in 1958.
Based on available data, this tire size was the smallest to be ever fitted from the factory on any Impala model.
1st-Generation Impala Wheel Specifications (1958)
We’ve finally reached the point where it all started for the Impala nameplate, which was way back in 1958.
Although it’s not actually the rarest Impala ever made, it was only produced for a single production year, and finding one in tip-top condition is next to impossible.
As we’ve said, the 1958 Impala was the first Impala to receive the 3.8, 4.6, and 5.7-liter trim levels of several of the succeeding generations.
As for its wheel specifications, you can say that it’s tied with the 7th generation in terms of the number of tire and rim sizes, which is only one for each wheel specification.
How to Tighten the Bolts on the Chevy Impala
When tightening the bolts on the Chevy Impala, you need to take into consideration how many bolts (or lug nuts) its wheels have.
This is because wheels with a certain number of bolts will require a specific tightening order or pattern.
Since every Chevy Impala ever produced has 5 bolts, you need to follow the star-shaped tightening pattern demonstrated below.
A lot of passenger cars like the Chevy Impala use 5 bolts for their wheels, so the star-shaped tightening pattern is also applicable to any car with that many bolts.
Just make sure to initially tighten them to about half of the recommended torque specification only if you still have the car up on jack stands.
If you’ve already lowered the car back on the ground, you can then fully tighten its bolts to the recommended torque specification designated for your specific Impala generation.
After tightening the bolts, it’s generally recommended to drive the car for about 50 miles to see if the bolts would retain their torque value.
How and When to Change Tires on the Chevy Impala
The Chevy Impala’s tires are the first contact point that the car has with the road. So if you’re planning on fitting new wheels, you should consider checking its tires while you’re at it.
To start, we’ll first be focusing on how long the tires on the Chevy Impala exactly last.
Regardless of the generation, the tires on your Chevy Impala should last you a good 60,000 to 75,000 miles (97,000 to 121,000km).
This is basically the ballpark tire lifespan of most tires manufactured for vehicles on the road today.
Switching to racing tires and even some performance tires, however, will significantly shorten that lifespan. But that’s probably beside the point for the average Impala owner.
Even if you don’t drive that often, you should still change your tires every 4 to 5 years anyway.
This is to avoid the accumulation of “dry rot” that causes cracks from being stored for too long, especially in high-temperature conditions.
Now, what if you’re not sure how many miles you’ve driven on your tires? Not to worry, as we’ve got two common ways to check your tire’ tread life.
As seen in the photo above, most tires today will have what is called as “tread wear indicator bars”, which basically help gauge how thick your treads are compared to the bars.
The bars are made to sit a lot lower than the treads on new tires. So if your tire treads reach the same height as the bars, then it’s already time to change your tires.
If your tires happen to not have the indicator bars for whatever reason, then you can insert a penny upside down between the tire treads and see how much of Lincoln’s head is exposed.
On new tires, half of his head would be tucked away. But if you can already see his entire head, then you only have less than 1/16 of an inch left on your treads.
That is the legal tread depth limit to drive on your tires, so if you go past that, you should definitely swap your tires out with new ones.
How and When to Rotate Tires on the Chevy Impala
When rotating tires on the Chevy Impala, you need to take into consideration its drivetrain system.
This is because different tire rotation patterns are used for different drivetrains.
Since the Impala was fitted with either a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or a front-wheel drive (FWD) system, we’re going to be presenting two separate tire rotation patterns for it.
But before that, it’s definitely worth knowing first that all 1958 to 1996 Impala models were RWD, while those from 2000 to 2020 were FWD instead.
The diagram on the left shows the “forward-cross” pattern, which is the tire rotation pattern that should be used for FWD vehicles like the 2000 to 2020 Impala models.
In contrast, the right diagram shows the “rearward-cross” pattern, which should be the tire rotation pattern used for RWD (and AWD) vehicles instead.
Notice how the two patterns are just the exact opposite of each other.
This is because the general rule when crossing tires is that whichever axle is “free-rolling” (not receiving the engine’s power) should be the one to have its tires crossed.
As for the frequency of these tire rotations, both RWD and FWD Impala models should have their tires rotated every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,000km) added to their odometer.
Unlike all-wheel drive (AWD) cars that deliver engine power to all four wheels, both RWD and FWD cars only have two wheels receiving power, hence the same tire rotation frequency.
