Recently, we’ve been talking a lot about Chevy vehicles like the Malibu. So it’s time to switch things up and include another vehicle from Dodge.
For this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on the Dodge Journey’s correct bolt pattern, as well as all of the relevant bolt and wheel specifications that it has.
If you own a Dodge Journey yourself and are wondering what wheels can fit on it, then this will be quite a worthwhile read.
We’ve also included the new 2022 Dodge Journey that is only sold in the Mexican automotive market at the time of writing.
What is the bolt pattern of a Dodge Journey?
All Dodge Journeys from 2008 to 2020 have a bolt pattern that measures 5×5 inches (5x127mm).
The new 2022 Dodge Journey sold in Mexico utilizes a 5×4.25-inch (5x108mm) bolt pattern.
As you can see, the Dodge Journey that has always been around for years uses only a single bolt pattern across its entire production run.
Despite having only one bolt pattern, it has offered several trim levels over the years, as well as a facelift model starting in 2011.
Because of these various trim levels, a lot of possible factory wheel specifications came about, which we’ll also be diving into shortly.
As for the latest Mexican Dodge Journey, it also uses a 5-lug pattern, albeit forming a slightly smaller diameter (108mm) than the one on the last generation (127mm).
Due to the recency and limitations of its release, we would like to give a disclaimer that details of the new Dodge Journey listed here may either be incomplete or subject to change.
Wheel and Bolt Specifications for the Dodge Journey
Just like what we do with every other car, the Journey’s bolt specifications will include the center bore diameter, wheel fastener, thread size, and torque tightening specification (torque spec).
As for the wheel specifications, these will simply be all factory tire and rim sizes offered for each trim level.
The Dodge Journey produced from 2008 to 2020 has pretty much kept the same set of bolt specifications throughout the years.
This means that, regardless if it’s a facelift or pre-facelift model, the bolt specifications are perfectly interchangeable with other Journeys.
The 2022 Journey’s bolt specifications bear some similarities with the ones from the last generation, but we have limited data regarding its torque tightening specification for now.
Other than that, both the last and new-generation Journey’s factory wheel specifications will be listed one by one.
1st-Generation Dodge Journey (2008 – 2020)
The original Dodge Journey was a mid-size crossover SUV (CUV) first released back in 2008.
As mentioned earlier, its bolt specifications remained exactly the same for all trim levels up until its discontinuation in 2020.
However, the wheel specifications were determined by two different sets of production years that each had its own trim levels.
Journeys produced between 2008 and 2011 were considered “pre-facelift” models, while those produced for the 2012 model year until the discontinuation were the “facelift” models.
The pre-facelift models offered both 2.4-liter and 3.5-liter engines that each had only one available tire and rim option.
On the other hand, the facelift models replaced the 3.5-liter option in favor of a slightly bigger 3.6-liter one.
Simultaneously, these two options have also been given the same set of wheel specifications.
These included some from the pre-facelift models and bigger 225/55R19 tires paired with new 19-inch rims.
Center Bore Diameter: 71.6mm
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nuts (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.5
Torque Spec: 100lb-ft (135Nm)
2008 – 2011 (Pre-Facelift)
| Trim Level | Tire Size | Rim Size |
| 2.4i | 225/70/R16 | 6.5Jx16 ET44 |
| 3.5i | 225/65R17 | 6.5Jx17 ET44 |
2012 – 2020 (Facelift)
| Trim Level | Tire Size | Rim Size |
| 2.4i3.6i | 225/65R17 | 6.5Jx17 ET44 |
| 225/55R19 | 7Jx19 ET40 |
Dodge Journey (Mexican Market) (2021 – Present)
The “journey” of the new Mexican-spec Dodge Journey actually first started off with a Chinese car model known as the Trumpchi GS5 by GAC.
In general, the new Dodge Journey is a rebadge of the 2nd-generation Trumpchi GS5 for the Mexican market, so the engine option and overall body dimensions remained the same.
The only difference is that Dodge has added its own minor exterior and interior styling to finish off the rebadge and give it that “Dodge vibe”.
The new Journey comes in SXT, Sport, and GT trims, but all of them use the same 1.5T engine found in the Trumpchi GS5.
Currently, it only has two tire sizes, one of which is paired with an incomplete rim size. The only available detail that this rim size has for now is that it has a 19-inch diameter.
Among the 3 trims mentioned, only the top-of-the-line GT trim has been given the 19-inch rim option.
Center Bore Diameter: 71.6mm
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nuts (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.5
Torque Spec (Trumpchi GS5): 120±10Nm for aluminum wheels
| Trim Level | Tire Size | Rim Size |
| 1.5 SXT 1.5 Sport | 235/55R18 | 7Jx18 ET36 |
| 1.5 GT | 235/50R19 | 19-inch diameter |
How to Properly Tighten the Bolts on the Dodge Journey
In addition to knowing all of the necessary bolt and wheel specifications, it’s also important to know the proper way of tightening the bolts (or lug nuts) of your Dodge Journey.
Without knowing the correct tightening order, you could run into some problems with unequal tightening forces on the wheel’s mating surface that will cause the bolts to loosen.
All Dodge Journeys, including the new one released in Mexico, utilize a 5-lug pattern, which is to say that there are a total of 5 bolts that need to be tightened.
For cars with 5-lug patterns, the most appropriate tightening pattern to use would be the star pattern shown above.
Since there is an odd number of lug nuts, the typical 4-lug criss-cross pattern used on cars like the 80s Dodge Charger would not be possible.
If you have already raised the car off the ground, then it’s important to only tighten the bolts to about half of the recommended torque specification first.
You can then tighten them to the full torque specification after lowering the car back down. This torque value will be 100lb-ft (135Nm) for the 2008 to 2020 Dodge Journey.
As for the new Mexican Dodge Journey’s torque tightening value, the only available data we have for now would be the value that’s used in the Trumpchi GS5.
GAC’s manual for the GS5 states that a torque value of 120±10Nm should be used for tightening the bolts of its aluminum wheels.
Despite the nearly identical specifications of the Mexican Journey and the Chinese GS5, it still proves difficult to come up with a definite conclusion regarding spec interchangeability.
So to be on the safer side, we recommend going to an authorized dealer of the 2022 Dodge Journey for your wheel bolt tightening needs.
Changing the Tires on the Dodge Journey
While we’re on the topic of wheels, it’s also a good opportunity to talk about the Dodge Journey’s tires and just how long they last.
With normal use, the Journey’s tires last about 60,000 to 75,000 miles (97,000 to 121,000km), which is actually in the ballpark of most cars.
If you’ve been keeping note of your tire’s mileage and you’re anywhere between these numbers, then it’s already time to swap them out for new ones.
If you’re not sure about how much life you still have on your tires, then we’ve also included two common things you can do to check their tread life.
The first one is the popular “penny test”, which basically involves inserting a penny upside down between the treads and checking how much is Lincoln’s head covered.
Half of his head would be covered on newer tires, but once you already see his entire head, then your Journey’s due for a tire change.
You can also check your tires’ “indicator bars” as seen in the photo above. These will initially be deep within the grooves for new tires.
If they line up with the height of the treads, then there’s already too little tread life left and it’s time to swap your tires for a fresh set.
Rotating the Tires on the Dodge Journey
When it comes to tire rotations on any car, they will naturally be done a lot earlier and more frequently than tire changes.
After all, they are performed for the exact reason of prolonging your tires so you don’t have to change them as much.
Not only do tire rotations allow for even tire wear, but they may also be necessary for keeping your tires within their warranty.
Since all of the Dodge Journeys, including the GS5-based one, have front-wheel drive (FWD) systems, it’s recommended to follow the “forward cross” rotation pattern shown below.
This works best for FWD cars, as the front tires significantly go through more wear due to them simultaneously receiving the engine’s power and your steering input.
As for when you should rotate the tires, it should be every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,000km) traveled on them.
