How Big Of Tires Can You Put On A Stock Chevrolet Suburban?
How Big of Tires Can You Put on a Stock Chevrolet Suburban? If you own a Chevrolet Suburban, you already have a vehicle that combines size, power, and versatility. One of the most popular modifications for a Suburban is upsizing its tires, which can enhance its off-road capabilities, improve its aesthetic appeal, and potentially better its handling characteristics. But how big can you go without making further modifications? Let’s dive into the specifics.
The largest tire size that will fit on a stock Chevrolet Suburban without any modifications typically ranges from 31 to 33 inches in diameter, depending on the specific model year and trim level.
Understanding Tire Sizing on a Chevrolet Suburban
First, it’s important to understand the stock tire size for your specific model of Suburban. Chevrolet Suburbans, depending on the year and trim, typically come with tires sizes ranging from 18 inches to 22 inches in diameter. For instance, a 2021 Suburban might come with factory tires sized at 275/65R18, 275/60R20, or even 275/50R22.
The numbers in tire sizes are crucial: the first number represents the tire width in millimeters, the second number is the aspect ratio, and the final number is the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.
How Big Can You Go?
When upsizing your tires, the key factors to consider are clearance, speedometer accuracy, ride quality, and the potential need for modifications.
Clearance
Making sure you have enough Clearance is possibly the most crucial factor. Larger tires can sometimes rub against the wheel well or suspension components, particularly when turning or when the suspension is compressed. On a stock Chevrolet Suburban, you typically have a bit of leeway to increase tire size without issues. A good rule of thumb is you can go up by one or two sizes without significant modifications. For example, from 275/65R18 to 285/65R18 or even 295/65R18. However, this can vary based on the specific year and model.
Speedometer Calibration
Installing larger tires on your vehicle can significantly impact how your speedometer measures your speed. This occurs because the speedometer calculates your vehicle’s speed based on the rotation of the wheels. The factory settings of your speedometer are calibrated for a specific wheel circumference, which corresponds to a particular tire size. When you increase the size of your tires, you effectively increase the circumference of the wheel. This change means that each rotation of the wheel now covers more ground than the speedometer anticipates.
As a result, with larger tires, your vehicle may actually be traveling faster than what is displayed on your speedometer. For instance, if your speedometer reads 50 mph, you might actually be traveling at 55 mph or more, depending on the extent of the size increase. This discrepancy can lead to unintentional speeding, as you may be going faster than you realize, increasing the risk of traffic violations or even accidents.
To maintain accuracy and safety, it’s crucial to recalibrate your speedometer after installing larger tires. Recalibration adjusts the speedometer to account for the new tire circumference, ensuring that the speed reading matches your actual speed. This can usually be done by a professional mechanic or at a dealership.
Suspension and Handling
Upgrading to larger tires on your Suburban can significantly alter its handling characteristics, which is something you should consider carefully. One of the primary benefits of larger tires is increased ground clearance, which enhances the vehicle’s ability to navigate rough or uneven terrain without damaging the undercarriage. However, this advantage comes with several trade-offs in terms of vehicle dynamics.
Additional Modifications
In some cases, fitting significantly larger tires might require additional modifications. These can include leveling kits or lift kits to increase clearance, and possibly even changes to gearing to accommodate the larger tire size for proper torque and power distribution.
Warranty Coverage
if you modify your Suburban, particularly in ways that could affect other components, there’s a risk that the warranty on those components could be voided. For instance, if larger tires lead to premature wear on the suspension or brakes, Chevrolet might argue that the modifications caused the issue and thus may not cover the repairs under warranty. It’s always a good idea to consult with professionals before making significant changes like upsizing tires. When upgrading your tires, it’s important to consider all of the factors involved. Especially your Chevy factory warranty or your Chevrolet Factory Extended Warranty, you wouldn’t want to make any decisions that could potentially void your warranty.
