1985–1986 Chevrolet Camaro Tire Size & Bolt Pattern

Q: Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

Yes — the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

Approved fitments

Tire size	Rim size	PCD (bolt pattern)	Offset	Load index	Speed rating
245/50R16 OEM	R16	5x120.7	N/A	N/A	N/A
195/75R14 OEM	6x14	5x120.7	13mm	N/A	N/A
205/70R14 OEM	7x14	5x120.7	8mm	N/A	N/A
195/70R14	7x14	5x120.7	8mm	N/A	N/A
215/65R15	7x15	5x120.7	8mm	N/A	N/A
205/75R14 OEM	R14	5x120.7	N/A	N/A	N/A
215/65R15 OEM	R15	5x120.7	N/A	N/A	N/A
235/60R15 OEM	R15	5x120.7	N/A	N/A	N/A

1986 Chevrolet camaro wheel bolt pattern & specs

Bolt pattern (PCD)	5x120.7
Wheel thread / lug size	M12x1.5
Center bore	70.3 mm
Source	adaptitusa-reference

The 1986 Chevrolet Camaro uses a 5x120.7 bolt pattern, M12x1.5 lug thread, and a 70.3 mm center bore. Bolt pattern and hub specs are stable across a model generation; always confirm against your vehicle's existing wheel before buying aftermarket wheels, spacers, or adapters. Source: community wheel-fitment reference data. Full wheel specs →

Best by use case

Four tires, four jobs

Best all-season

Cooper

Zeon RS3 G1

all-season touring

Best budget

Falken

Ziex ZE960 A/S

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 640

Compatible alternative sizes for 245/50R16

Sizes within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter safe-fit tolerance. Each row links to the size's own page.

Alternative size	%Δ OD	Category	Verdict
`225/60R15`	-0.06%	winter narrower	Safe
`275/40R17`	0.06%	plus 1	Safe
`215/45R18`	-0.11%	plus 2	Safe
`245/45R17`	0.14%	plus 1	Safe
`245/55R15`	-0.14%	alternative	Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 245/50R16 upsize options. To check an arbitrary size pair, use the tire compatibility calculator.

Check a different size against this vehicle

Type any tire size below; we'll compute its overall-diameter delta against the OEM 245/50R16 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

Plus-1: 275/40R17; one rim size up, 0.06% OD change. Sharper steering, mild ride penalty, modest cost premium.
Plus-2: 215/45R18; two rim sizes up, -0.11% OD change. Noticeable ride penalty, higher pothole risk, meaningful tire-cost premium.

Use the plus-size calculator to evaluate any rim step against the OEM size.

How to choose tires for the 1986 chevrolet camaro

The 1986 Chevrolet Camaro ships from the factory on 245/50R16 tires mounted on R16 wheels. 7 approved fitments are documented for this model year, allowing some flexibility between performance, comfort, and winter compounds. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Chevrolet Camaro comes down to three trade-offs that matter more than brand loyalty: load index (must equal or exceed the OEM number), speed rating (must match or exceed the placard), and UTQG treadwear (higher means longer life, lower usually means stickier rubber). Owners replacing factory tires with the same compound class, for example all-season for all-season, generally see no change in ride characteristics or fuel economy. Switching categories (performance summer to all-season touring, for example) is where the trade-offs show up at the contact patch.

For 1986 Chevrolet Camaro owners considering a plus-size upgrade, the safer option is a Plus-1 step (one rim size up with a 10-point aspect drop and ~10 mm of additional section width). Plus-2 is technically viable on this chassis if the alternative-sizes table lists a Plus-2 candidate within tolerance, but expect a meaningful ride-harshness penalty and a tire-cost premium of 30–60% per tire relative to the OEM fitment. For winter use the recommended pattern is one width step down (e.g. from a 235 to a 225) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter; narrower tires apply higher contact pressure per square inch on snow, which translates directly into shorter braking distances. The plus-size calculator evaluates any specific rim step against this OEM size.

Before purchasing, verify the tire size on the driver-door placard of your specific 1986 Chevrolet Camaro, since trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment from what is documented here. The placard reading is the authoritative source per FMVSS 110, and dealers will reference the placard rather than aftermarket catalogs when validating warranty claims.

NHTSA-reported issues for 1986 chevrolet camaro

70

Complaints

9

Crashes

6

Injuries

4

Deaths

Top issue category: Tires (General)

Most reported: Tires (General) (47) · Tread / Belt (12) · Sidewall (6) · Bead (2) · TPMS (2)

Reported across: 1979 – 2022 (23 years)

What owners described

Blowout or sudden deflation is the most common description, in 18% of these reports. Percentages are shares of the 44 reports covering every model year of the Chevrolet Camaro that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problem	This subject	All tire complaints	Relative
Blowout or sudden deflation	18%	20%	0.9×
Loss of control, rollover or collision	11%	8%	1.4×
Tread or belt separation	9%	13%	0.7×
Sidewall failure	9%	15%	0.6×
Cracking or dry rot	9%	9%	1.0×

Mileage at failure

14 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 26,000 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 3,000 and 247,000 miles.

In owners' own words

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA about Chevrolet Camaro. Reports are published by NHTSA as filed and are lightly cleaned here only to remove intake codes.

MADE A TURN IN RAIN GOING APPROX 10 MPH AND CAR SLID. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT, HOWEVER IT IS UTTER NONSENSE TO SELL AN AUTOMOBILE IN THE NORTHEAST WITH SUMMER TIRES ONLY AND THEN OFFER ALL WEATHER TIRES AND RIMS AS A $1000.00 AFTER MARKET OPTION. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE and LETHAL TO THE DRIVER AND ALL OCCUPANTS. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY SHOULD BE SELLING THE CAR WITH ALL WEATHER TIRES (SAFETY FIRST) AND THE SUMMER TIRES AS AN OPTION. I FEEL THAT PAYING $45,000.00 FOR A VEHICLE IT SHOULD BE SAFE. I FEEL THAT THERE WILL BE MANY ACCIDENTS TO COME AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW "DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE" TO GET THIS INVESTIGATED. I FEEL CHEVY SHOULD RECALL ALL AUTOS WITH THESE SUMMER TIRES AND REPLACE THEM WITH ALL WEATHER OR AT LEAST HAVE THE OWNER SIGH A WAIVER.

NHTSA complaint 1027916 · 2014 vehicle

2014 CHEVROLET CAMARO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND DEALERSHIP REFUSAL TO SERVICE VEHICLE AND REFUSAL TO REFUND MONEY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A MINUTE LATER, THE TIRE EXPLODED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A SECOND TIME.

NHTSA complaint 1179758 · 2014 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CAMARO EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P0 PROFEO R (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 305/30R19 (NA). WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, ALL FOUR TIRES EXHIBITED SMALL CRACKS AND THE TIRE SPECIFICATIONS WERE NOT MET BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124.

NHTSA complaint 1280117 · 2015 vehicle

COMPLETE SIDEWALL (360 DEGREES AROUND) SEPARATED FROM TIRE TREAD AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED CAUSING IMMEDIATE AND DANGEROUS BLOWOUT. TIRES MAINTAINED AT CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE WITH APPROX. 22,000 MILES OF USE. TIRE WAS NEVER REPAIRED OR DAMAGED BEFORE BLOWOUT. VEHICLE USED FOR NORMAL PASSENGER USE. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME EXACT FAILURE AS THE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE. NO MENTION HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE SIZE 245/50/16 POTENZA, BUT THE FAILURE LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THE DAMAGE SEEN ON THE RECALLED WILDERNESS. FOR SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS, HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 POTENZA TIRES W/DUNLOPS. KEPT DAMAGED TIRE AND 2 OTHERS. HAVE PICTURES OF DAMAGED TIRE. AM CONCERNED THAT A LARGER SAFETY PROBLEM WITH OTHER BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES exists.*AK (TIRESIZE: 245/50/16)

NHTSA complaint 296751 · 1994 vehicle

Complaints are voluntarily submitted to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and are not verified by NHTSA; they represent owner-reported problems, not proven defects. Counts can be useful as a relative quality signal across comparable tires or vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What size tires fit a 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

The OEM tire size for the 1986 Chevrolet Camaro is 245/50R16 mounted on R16 wheels.. Trim levels and option packages can shift the original fitment; confirm against your specific vehicle's driver-door placard before purchase.

What is the bolt pattern of a 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

The 1986 Chevrolet Camaro has a 5x120.7 bolt pattern with a 70.3 mm center bore and M12x1.5 wheel studs. Bolt pattern is consistent across the model generation; confirm against your existing wheel before fitting aftermarket wheels or adapters.

Can I run a different tire size on my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

Plus-sizing (larger rim, lower aspect) is possible within ±3% of the OEM overall diameter per the ETRTO safe-fit standard. The Compatible alternative sizes table on this page lists every safe option for the OEM size. Always confirm with the manufacturer or a qualified tire shop before deviating from the placard.

Where can I buy tires for my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

Online tire retailers in our affiliate network carry every size documented for this vehicle. Use the Shop online buttons above to compare prices across them; variance of $20–$40 per tire is common between merchants. The <a href="/tools/tire-install-cost-calculator/">install cost calculator</a> estimates the out-the-door including mount, balance, TPMS, and disposal by state.

What is the recommended tire pressure for the 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

The cold-inflation pressure is printed on the driver-door placard of your specific vehicle and varies by trim, tire size, and loaded vs unloaded condition. Typical OEM front and rear pressures fall between 30 and 36 psi for passenger trims and 32–40 psi for SUV/truck variants, but the placard is the authoritative source.

Can I fit winter tires in a different size on my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

Yes; the standard winter-tire fitment pattern is one width step narrower than OEM (e.g. 225 → 215) with the aspect ratio bumped up to preserve overall diameter. Narrower tires increase contact pressure on snow for better traction. The Compatible alternative sizes table includes any winter-friendly options that fall within ±3% OD for this vehicle.

How often should I rotate the tires on my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro?

Every 5,000–7,500 miles is the typical OEM recommendation for passenger vehicles. AWD vehicles and high-torque trucks benefit from the shorter interval. Documented rotation history is also a tire-warranty prerequisite; most manufacturer treadwear claims require rotation receipts at the warranty inspection.

For broader tire questions; replacement timing, UTQG, EV-specific tires, winter swaps; see the tire FAQ.

Sources for this page

Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Chevrolet Camaro is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 1986 Chevrolet Camaro.
ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.