The 2009 Chevrolet Impala carried one of Chevrolet’s longest-running sedan nameplates into the front-wheel-drive era, serving everyone from daily drivers to fleet and police use. That broad mission shows up clearly in the tire fitment, because this exact model year uses three different radial sizes depending on trim: 225/60R16, 225/55R17, and 235/50R18. Some versions lean toward a more traditional touring presentation, while others open the door to blackwall, redline, raised white letter, or whitewall styling. The real key is matching the tire to the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before comparing brands, series, and appearance choices.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Chevrolet Impala
Three tire sizes apply to the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, and they are tied to specific sub-models and wheel diameters. All three are radial fitments, but the first step is confirming the exact trim and whether the car is on 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch wheels. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to tire style, brand, series, and the overall look you want the car to carry.
A 225/60R16 tire uses a 225-millimeter section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim. On the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, this size suits trims that use the smaller-diameter wheel package while keeping a balanced touring-style profile. Available choices include Goodyear, BFGoodrich, and Travelstar, with sidewall treatments ranging from raised yellow letter and redline to pin white stripe, wide whitewall, and narrow whitewall. It is the size to evaluate when the car is equipped with 16-inch wheels and you want to compare both traditional-looking and more contemporary radial presentations.
A 225/55R17 tire keeps the same 225-millimeter section width but uses a lower 55-series profile on a 17-inch rim. This radial size applies to a specific 2009 Chevrolet Impala configuration, so it is important not to assume it fits every trim simply because the width is familiar. Product options include BFGoodrich performance-oriented g-Force series as well as Silvertown Radial choices with wide whitewall and redline styling. This size is worth choosing when the car already carries the correct 17-inch wheel setup and the goal is to match either a sportier blackwall look or a more distinctive period-inspired sidewall treatment.
A 235/50R18 tire is wider at 235 millimeters, uses a 50-series profile, and fits an 18-inch rim. On the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, this size belongs to the trims equipped with the largest wheel package, making wheel confirmation especially important before selection. Available products include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac choices, with blackwall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall styles represented across several tire series. It is the right size to compare when the car is already set up for 18-inch wheels and you want to balance appearance, tire-series character, and wheel-width compatibility.
Tire fitment on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala varies by sub-model, so trim identification matters before choosing a size. Several versions share the same 16-inch setup, while others move to 17-inch or 18-inch radial tires that change both wheel requirements and available product styles.
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2009 Chevrolet Impala LS
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala LS uses the 225/60R16 radial size. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right 16-inch option within the available brands and sidewall styles rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala LT w/3.5L Eng. shares the 225/60R16 radial tire size. For this sub-model, the main choice is whether to stay with a straightforward touring-style appearance or explore whitewall, stripe, or lettered sidewall options in the same fitment.
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala LT w/3.9L Eng. uses the 225/55R17 radial size rather than the 16-inch fitment found on several other trims. That makes wheel diameter confirmation especially important before comparing blackwall performance-style options against more traditional redline or whitewall presentations.
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala LTZ uses the 235/50R18 radial size. Tire shopping for this sub-model starts with the 18-inch wheel setup, then moves into choosing among blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styles depending on the look you want.
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala Police uses the 225/60R16 radial size. That means the tire decision centers on selecting the right 16-inch product for the car’s current wheel setup and intended appearance rather than moving between multiple fitment sizes.
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala SS uses the 235/50R18 radial fitment. With this sub-model, the important next step is comparing 18-inch tire choices by series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility instead of assuming smaller Impala sizes will translate across trims.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2009 Chevrolet Impala Tires for Sale
Available 2009 Chevrolet Impala tires cover all three primary radial sizes and include BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Travelstar, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options. Depending on size, you can compare blackwall, redline, raised yellow letter, raised white letter, pin white stripe, and whitewall styles across several distinct tire series.
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Goodyear Tires
Goodyear Eagle NASCAR Raised Yellow Letter | 225/60R16
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, how trim level affects fitment, and what to review when comparing wheel diameter, sidewall style, product type, and general road-use readiness.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala uses three different tire sizes depending on sub-model: 225/60R16, 225/55R17, and 235/50R18. All three are radial sizes, but they are not shared across every trim. LS, LT w/3.5L Eng., and Police models use 225/60R16, LT w/3.9L Eng. uses 225/55R17, and LTZ and SS models use 235/50R18.
The key is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter already on the car. A 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch setup each require their own tire size, so trim badge alone should not override what is actually mounted. If the car has had wheel changes at some point, measure the wheel before choosing a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 2009 Chevrolet Impala use?
A 2009 Chevrolet Impala can use 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rims depending on sub-model. The 225/60R16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, the 225/55R17 fitment uses a 17-inch rim, and the 235/50R18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim. Each tire size is tied directly to its matching rim diameter.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to verify because the tire must match it exactly. After that, compare the wheel’s actual width with the tire’s approved rim-width range for the product you are considering. That step matters most on cars that may have been updated with aftermarket wheels or replacement factory-style wheels over time.
Why does the 2009 Chevrolet Impala have more than one tire size?
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala has more than one tire size because different sub-models were equipped with different wheel packages. Some trims use 16-inch wheels with 225/60R16 tires, one uses a 17-inch wheel with 225/55R17 tires, and others move to an 18-inch wheel with 235/50R18 tires. The variation is trim-based rather than a case of one universal Impala size.
That means replacement shopping should start with the exact version of the car and the wheels currently on it. Two Impalas from the same model year can need different tires even though their overall tire diameter is relatively close. Using the wrong rim diameter is an immediate mismatch, and using the wrong trim assumption can send you to the wrong product category.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2009 Chevrolet Impala tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact 2009 Chevrolet Impala sub-model, because the car may require 225/60R16, 225/55R17, or 235/50R18. All are radial fitments, so the next decisions usually involve wheel diameter, approved rim-width range for the specific tire, and the kind of appearance or driving character you want from the available product lines.
Once size is confirmed, compare details that actually affect the choice, such as sidewall style, tire series, load figures where stated, and whether the car still has its original-style wheel setup. A whitewall or redline can change the look of the car dramatically, while blackwall, raised letter, or performance-oriented series may better suit a more modern presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Chevrolet Impala tires?
Sidewall choices for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala vary by tire size, but the available styles include Blackwall, Redline, Raised-Yellow-Letter, RWL, Pin-White-Stripe, Wide Whitewall, and Narrow Whitewall. Those treatments are spread across the three Impala sizes rather than appearing uniformly in every fitment. The 16-inch size offers the widest visual variety, while 17-inch and 18-inch options mix blackwall with selected styling treatments.
That makes sidewall style an appearance decision after the correct size has already been established. A blackwall keeps the look understated, while whitewall, redline, or lettered sidewalls create a more distinct visual statement. It is worth checking the product details closely, because the same size can be offered in multiple sidewall treatments with different tire series and wheel-width compatibility.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
Tires for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala are available from BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Travelstar, Nitto, and Pro-Trac across the applicable sizes. Brand availability changes by fitment. The 225/60R16 size includes Goodyear, BFGoodrich, and Travelstar choices, the 225/55R17 size centers on BFGoodrich offerings, and the 235/50R18 size includes BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac products.
Brand should be compared alongside size, tire series, and sidewall style rather than treated as the only decision. One brand may offer a traditional-looking whitewall or redline in a given size, while another focuses on blackwall or raised letter styles. The most useful approach is narrowing the search to the correct fitment and then comparing the character of the available tire lines.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
A period-style 2009 Chevrolet Impala tire choice starts with the correct trim-specific size, then moves to the sidewall look that best matches the character you want. Depending on fitment, choices include redline, whitewall, pin white stripe, narrow whitewall, and raised letter treatments. Those options can give the car a more distinctive visual presence than a plain blackwall tire.
The best approach is to decide whether the goal is a clean stock-appearing sedan, a more customized street look, or a sharper performance-influenced presentation. Sidewall design matters as much as size in that decision. If exact originality is important, compare the tire you are considering with period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references before finalizing the selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
All primary tire fitments for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala are radial, so the appearance difference usually comes from sidewall styling and tire series rather than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction. In practical terms, that means the visual character of the car is shaped by whether you prefer blackwall, redline, whitewall, pin stripe, or lettered sidewall treatments in the correct size.
That gives a restoration-minded owner room to tune the look without stepping outside the proper radial construction type for the car’s fitment. A more subdued sedan presentation may call for blackwall or a narrow stripe, while a bolder period-inspired look may lean toward whitewall or redline. Wheel diameter still has to stay matched to the Impala’s exact trim and wheel setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Chevrolet Impala?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Chevrolet Impala even when the replacement tire is one of the correct stock sizes. Aftermarket wheels can change width or offset, and suspension changes can alter clearance at the fender, strut, or steering components. That matters most because this Impala already uses three different wheel diameters across its trim range.
A car that left the factory with 16-inch wheels may no longer be on that setup, so the actual wheel should be checked before ordering tires. Clearance should also be reviewed at full steering lock and through suspension travel if the vehicle has been lowered or altered. Matching the tire size to the current wheel package is more important than relying on model-year assumptions.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Chevrolet Impala on new tires?
Before driving a 2009 Chevrolet Impala on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for service. It is also smart to check valve stems, lug hardware, and overall tread and sidewall condition on any other tires that may remain on the car.
A short road test should be followed by another pressure and visual check, especially if the car has been sitting or recently had other wheel or brake work performed. Watch for rubbing, unusual vibration, or uneven stance that could point to a wheel mismatch or clearance issue. On a collector or seasonal-use Impala, age-related cracking and slow air loss deserve extra attention.
How should tires on a 2009 Chevrolet Impala be maintained?
Tires on a 2009 Chevrolet Impala should be kept at proper pressure, inspected regularly for uneven wear, and checked for cracking, cuts, bulges, or persistent air loss. Because the car may be driven daily, seasonally, or stored for stretches, tire condition matters as much as tread depth. Routine rotation and alignment checks also help preserve wear across the set.
Stored cars benefit from a little extra attention, especially if they spend long periods parked in heat, sunlight, or near ozone sources such as electric motors and battery chargers. Driving on old-looking tires simply because the tread appears good can be risky on any low-use vehicle. Keeping the wheel setup, inflation, and visual condition under review helps the Impala stay road-ready.
