2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD — Tire Size, Pressure & Wheel Specs

Quick answer

• OEM tire size(s):
  • SRW: LT245/75R17 E, LT265/70R18 E; some trims offered LT275/65R20 E
  • DRW (dually): LT235/80R17 E (front and rear)
• Recommended cold tire pressure (door placard, typical ranges):
  • SRW: 60 psi front, 75–80 psi rear (many are 60F/80R)
  • DRW: 60–65 psi front, 65–75 psi rear (max 80 psi when heavily loaded)
• Bolt pattern: 8x180 mm (hub bore ~124.1 mm, M14x1.5 lugs)
• Factory wheel sizes/offsets:
  • SRW: 17x7.5 (+20 to +31 mm), 18x8 (+20 to +31 mm), 20x8.5 (+24 to +28 mm)
  • DRW: 17x6–6.5 dually wheels with high positive offset (front/rear-specific); not interchangeable with SRW wheels
• Load index/speed rating (typical OEM):
  • LT245/75R17 E: 121/118 R (single/dual)
  • LT265/70R18 E: 124/121 R
  • LT275/65R20 E: 126/123 S or R
  • LT235/80R17 E (DRW): 120/117 R
• Spare tire size:
  • SRW: full-size LT matching the package; many 20-inch trucks ship with an LT265/70R18 E steel spare
  • DRW: full-size LT235/80R17 E
• TPMS sensor frequency: 315 MHz (North America; some non‑US markets use 433 MHz)

Tire sizes by trim (2016 Silverado 3500HD)

Note: Exact equipment varies by cab/box, SRW vs DRW, and packages. Always confirm on the driver’s door placard.

Recommended replacement tires

• Highway/all-season (premium): Michelin Defender LTX M/S (Load Range E). Excellent tread life, wet braking, low noise. Great for towing and daily use.
• Highway/all-season (value): Firestone Transforce HT2 or General Grabber HTS60 (E-load). Solid durability at a friendlier price.
• All-terrain (balanced): Continental TerrainContact A/T or Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT. Quiet for an A/T but capable on gravel and light off‑road.
• Heavy‑duty all‑terrain: BFGoodrich All‑Terrain T/A KO2 or Falken Wildpeak AT3W (E-load). Strong sidewalls for work sites and off‑pavement.
• Severe service/snow leaning: Michelin LTX A/T2 or Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac (check studdable variants where legal).

Choose the exact size/load rating to match your SRW/DRW configuration and the door placard. For 20-inch SRW trucks, many owners still run the factory-specified 18-inch E-load spare.

When to inflate to max load psi (HD trucks)

• The sidewall “Max 80 PSI” on LT Load Range E tires is the pressure required to carry the tire’s maximum rated load. Use it when you’re at or near GVWR/GAWR—think heavy payloads, slide‑in campers, or substantial gooseneck/5th‑wheel towing.
• Day‑to‑day empty driving doesn’t require max psi. Follow the door placard (commonly ~60 psi front and 75–80 psi rear on SRW; ~60–65 psi front and 65–75 psi rear on DRW) and adjust using load‑inflation charts if your use case is unique.
• Ensure front axle pressure supports added equipment like a snowplow; many operators raise the front to 70–75 psi when plowing—confirm against axle rating and tire charts.

Lug nut torque & pattern

• Lug pattern: 8x180 mm (all 2016 3500HD). Thread M14x1.5.
• Torque: 140 lb‑ft (190 N·m) is typical for this platform. Re‑torque after 50–100 miles of driving on new wheels or after tire service. If unsure, confirm your exact spec on the owner’s manual/placard.
• Tighten in an 8‑lug star/criss‑cross sequence to seat the wheel evenly. DRW outer rears use the same torque unless otherwise specified by the wheel manufacturer.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

• Uneven rear wear under heavy towing: Running below needed pressure for load, or not rotating often enough, accelerates shoulder wear on SRW rears. Use proper psi for the load and rotate every 5–7k miles.
• Cupping/feathering on fronts: Worn ball joints, tie rods, or idler/pitman arms on HD steering can cause irregular wear. Inspect alignment and front-end components regularly.
• TPMS alerts after rotation: 2016 GM HD uses 315 MHz sensors. Perform the TPMS relearn so the truck knows each wheel’s position; otherwise pressures can display in the wrong corner.
• Dually specifics: Inner dual heat and access. Ensure metal high‑pressure valve stems and proper dual spacing; mismatched tires or stones wedged between duals can lead to heat buildup and casing damage.
• Plus‑size fitment rub: Sizes wider/taller than stock (e.g., 295‑series or 35" class) can contact wheel liners or control arms without the right offset and trimming. Keep offsets close to factory to protect bearings and scrub radius.

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