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2008 Chevrolet malibu tire sizes & fitment

Approved tire and wheel sizes for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, sourced from manufacturer fitment data and refreshed monthly.

Approved fitments

Tire size Rim size PCD (bolt pattern) Offset Load index Speed rating
225/50R17 OEM R17 5x110 N/A N/A N/A

2008 Chevrolet malibu wheel bolt pattern & specs

Bolt pattern (PCD)5x110
Wheel thread / lug sizeM12x1.5
Center bore65.1 mm
Sourcebolt-pattern.com

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu uses a 5x110 bolt pattern, M12x1.5 lug thread, and a 65.1 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

Bridgestone

Turanza QuietTrack

all-season touring, UTQG 800, 80,000-mi warranty

Best budget

Goodyear

Assurance MaxLife

Lowest cost per mile in this size; UTQG 820

Best quiet

Bridgestone

Turanza QuietTrack

68 dB cabin noise (EU label); quietest in this size

Best winter

Bridgestone

Blizzak WS90

Dedicated winter (premium compound); ice/snow grip

See the best tires for the Chevrolet Malibu, ranked by category →

Tire recalls & safety complaints for the Chevrolet Malibu →

Compatible alternative sizes for 225/50R17

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

Alternative size%Δ ODCategoryVerdict
205/55R17 0.08% winter narrower Safe
195/45R19 0.20% plus 2 Safe
215/40R19 -0.33% plus 2 Safe
245/35R19 -0.41% plus 2 Safe
195/70R15 -0.43% alternative Safe

For the full list of alternatives with comfort/handling impact, see 225/50R17 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 225/50R17 and verdict using the ETRTO ±3% rule.

Common upgrade paths

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

How to choose tires for the 2008 chevrolet malibu LTZ

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ ships from the factory on 225/50R17 tires mounted on R17 wheels. Only one approved fitment is documented for this model year, so replacement options should match the original size exactly unless a plus-size upgrade is being considered. The Compatible alternative sizes table above lists every safe substitution within the ETRTO ±3% overall-diameter tolerance.

Tire choice on the Chevrolet Malibu 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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ, 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 2008 chevrolet malibu

8
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Top issue category: TPMS

Most reported: TPMS (5) · Tires (General) (2) · Valve (1)

Reported across: 2008 – 2008 (1 year)

What owners described

Cracking or dry rot appears in 16% of these reports; about 1.7× as often as across all tire complaints. Percentages are shares of the 170 reports covering every model year of the Chevrolet Malibu that include a written account; a single report can describe more than one problem, so they do not total 100%.

Reported problemThis subjectAll tire complaintsRelative
Cracking or dry rot 16% 9% 1.7×
Blowout or sudden deflation 15% 20% 0.8×
Sidewall failure 7% 15% 0.5×
Tread or belt separation 5% 13% 0.4×
Loss of control, rollover or collision 5% 8% 0.6×
Pressure-monitoring (TPMS) fault 4% 2% 1.7×

Mileage at failure

81 of these reports state an odometer reading. The middle report is at 20,000 miles, with 8 in 10 falling between 5,000 and 100,000 miles.

In owners' own words

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

2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH NO SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS NOT INFORMED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE. WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE FREEWAY. IT WAS THEN, SHE WAS TOLD BY AAA, THERE WAS ONLY AN AIR PUMP, WHICH WAS OF NO USE, SINCE THE TIRE HAS SHREDDED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD, THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE, BECAUSE IT SAVED ON WEIGHT, THUS HAVING BETTER GAS MILEAGE.

NHTSA complaint 1092194 · 2013 vehicle

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TIRE BECAME FLAT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED FOUR TIMES AND LANDED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000...UPDATED 08-26-14 *BF UPDATED 08/29/2014

NHTSA complaint 1095730 · 2006 vehicle

REGULAR HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THEY WERE GOING OFF THEN ON FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS. SHUTTING OFF ON THE FREEWAY 3 TIMES. FORCING ME TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR RECALL TO INCLUDE MY 2008 ALSO. TIRE SENSOR PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT THE CAR. 3 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA complaint 1096444 · 2008 vehicle

FIRESTONE FR710 TIRES. CRACKS WERE NOTED IN THE SIDEWALLS. THE TREAD APPEARS TO BE SEPARATING AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE 2 TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE TIRES ARE DATE CODED 4210 AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 17000 MILES ON THEM. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND ROTATED EVERY 6000 MILES. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.

NHTSA complaint 1102870 · 2011 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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
The OEM tire size for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is 225/50R17 mounted on R17 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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has a 5x110 bolt pattern with a 65.1 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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu?
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

  1. Vehicle owner's manual tire & wheel placard; door-jamb placard on the Chevrolet Malibu is the authoritative source for OEM tire size, load index, and cold-inflation pressure for your specific trim.
  2. NHTSA SaferCar; recall lookup for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu.
  3. ETRTO 2024 Standards Manual §2.3; overall-diameter math used for the alternative-size verdicts above.
  4. Tire & Rim Association 2025 Yearbook; load-index to maximum-load reference.

Last verified 2026-09-02.