2025 Chevrolet Malibu — Tire Size & Pressure Guide

Quick answer

• OEM tire size(s): 205/65R16 (base/LS), 225/55R17 (LT), 245/45R18 (RS), 245/40R19 (2LT or appearance/package). Final fitment may vary by package—confirm your door placard.
• Recommended cold tire pressure (door placard): typically 35 psi front / 35 psi rear across trims and sizes. Always verify on your specific placard.
• Bolt pattern: 5x115 mm (5-lug), hub/center bore ~70.3 mm
• Wheel size (stock): 16x7 to 19x8 (typical); factory offsets generally +40 to +45 mm
• Load index / speed rating (OE): commonly 94–99 load; H, V or W speed depending on tire size (e.g., 205/65R16 94H; 225/55R17 97H/V; 245/45R18 96V; 245/40R19 94W)
• Spare tire: compact T125/80R16 on 16x4 steel (if equipped) or tire inflator kit on some trims
• TPMS frequency: commonly 315 MHz on earlier years; many 2023+ GM applications use 433 MHz. 2025 Malibu may use either—verify by sensor part number or scan tool.

Tire sizes by trim

Notes:

• Trims and wheel packages are based on recent Malibu carryover. Always match what’s printed on your driver’s door placard.
• If your car has a dealer- or factory-installed wheel package, tire sizes and speed ratings may differ.

Recommended replacement tires

Here are solid, widely available choices that cover the Malibu’s common sizes. Pricing varies by size (16–19 inch) and market—approximate per-tire street ranges shown.

• Budget: General Altimax RT45 — dependable all-season comfort and treadlife; ~$105–$185
• Mid-range touring: Cooper Endeavor or Continental TrueContact Tour — balanced wet/dry grip, quiet ride; ~$125–$220
• Premium touring: Michelin CrossClimate2 — excellent wet/snow braking for an all-season, long life; ~$165–$300
• Quiet/comfort premium: Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack — very low noise, strong wet traction; ~$160–$290
• Sportier option (18–19 in): Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus — sharper steering feel with all-season versatility; ~$180–$330

Tips:

• Match or exceed the OE load index and speed rating printed on your placard.
• If you run 19-inch low-profile tires, consider road-hazard coverage due to pothole risk.

When to inflate to max load psi

This section applies to HD trucks with LT-metric tires. The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is a passenger car on P-metric tires, so you should NOT inflate to the sidewall “max” psi for daily driving. Use the door placard pressures unless a tire professional advises otherwise for a specific load condition.

Lug nut torque & pattern

• Lug pattern: 5x115 mm
• Lug thread: M12 x 1.5
• Center bore: ~70.3 mm (hub-centric)
• Lug nut torque: typically 100 lb-ft (135 N·m). If unavailable on your glovebox card or owner’s manual, 95–105 lb-ft is the common spec range for this platform—torque in a star pattern and recheck after 25–50 miles.

Wheel size and offset

• Factory wheel widths: approx. 7.0 in (16 in), 7.0–7.5 in (17 in), 8.0 in (18–19 in)
• Factory offsets: generally +40 to +45 mm. Staying within +38 to +48 mm keeps scrub radius and fender clearance close to OE for most fitments.

Spare tire and TPMS details

• Spare: Many Malibus include a compact T125/80R16 on a 16x4 rim; others ship with an inflator kit only. Check your trunk well for the presence of a spare/jack kit.
• TPMS: GM used 315 MHz on many Malibus up through early 2020s; numerous 2023+ applications transitioned to 433 MHz. For 2025, confirm by reading the sensor label, scanning with a TPMS tool, or referencing the sensor part number.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

• Inner shoulder wear on front tires: Common on FWD sedans when toe/camber drifts or rotations are skipped. Get a 4-wheel alignment and rotate every 5–7.5k miles.
• Feathering/cupping noise: Worn struts or infrequent rotations can scallop tread blocks, causing a growl/hum at highway speeds.
• Impact damage on 18–19 in packages: Low-profile sidewalls are more vulnerable to potholes; watch pressures and avoid curbing.
• TPMS warnings in cold snaps: Pressure drops ~1 psi per 10°F; set pressures when tires are cold and ambient is stable.
• Irregular rear wear: Rear toe out of spec can chew the inner edges—include rear adjustments during alignment.

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