The 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS sits in the modern full-size pickup era, where everyday work use, light towing, and weekend utility all shaped the truck’s tire needs. Buyers looking at this exact Silverado are usually balancing stock fitment, load capability, and the realities of how the truck is actually driven. Tire fitment depends on drivetrain here, with 245/70R17 on the LS 4x2 and 265/70R17 on the LS 4x4, both in radial construction on 17-inch rims. Available choices center on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires with raised white letter styling. The key is matching the correct size to the truck’s configuration, wheel setup, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS, and the correct one depends on whether the truck is a 4x2 or 4x4. Both sizes are radial tires for 17-inch rims, so the first step is confirming the exact sub-model rather than choosing by appearance alone. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to load rating, rim-width compatibility, and how the truck will be used on-road or off-road.
245/70R17 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. On this Silverado 1500 LS, it serves the 4x2 configuration and keeps the fitment centered on a 17-inch wheel. The available choice in this size is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls. This size is the right starting point when the truck is an LS 4x2 and the goal is staying with the proper stock-style fitment range for that setup.
265/70R17 is also a metric radial size, with 265 indicating nominal section width in millimeters, 70 showing the aspect ratio, and 17 marking the rim diameter in inches. For the 2012 Silverado 1500 LS, this size belongs to the 4x4 configuration and uses the same 17-inch wheel diameter as the smaller LS fitment. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options are available here with raised white letter styling and different load capacities. This is the size to evaluate when the truck is an LS 4x4 and the selection priority is matching both the drivetrain-specific fitment and the truck’s intended duty.
2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS Sub-Model Tires
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS because the 4x2 and 4x4 do not use the same primary tire size. Checking the truck’s exact drivetrain before comparing tires helps prevent choosing the right rim diameter but the wrong overall fitment.
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2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS 4x2
The 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS 4x2 uses the 245/70R17 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection focused on the correct metric fitment, 17-inch wheel compatibility, and whether the available all-terrain tire matches the truck’s normal driving and load needs.
The 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS 4x4 uses the larger 265/70R17 radial tire size. Tire selection here should center on the correct 4x4 fitment, the proper 17-inch wheel setup, and the load-capacity version that best suits how the truck is used.
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 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS Tires for Sale
Available 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS tire choices focus on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 radials in 245/70R17 and 265/70R17. The main points to compare are raised white letter styling, rim-width range, and the load-capacity differences within the 265/70R17 size.
These Silverado 1500 LS tire questions focus on the two 17-inch fitments, drivetrain-specific size differences, product selection, and the practical checks that matter before putting a truck back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS?
The 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS uses two different tire sizes depending on drivetrain. The LS 4x2 uses 245/70R17, while the LS 4x4 uses 265/70R17. Both are radial tire sizes for 17-inch rims, but they are not the same fitment across the full model line.
The first step is confirming whether the truck is a 4x2 or 4x4 before comparing tires. Matching the correct size matters for wheel compatibility, overall stance, and clearance, especially if the truck has replacement wheels or any suspension changes from stock.
What size rim does a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS use?
Both primary tire sizes used on the 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS are built for 17-inch rims. That applies to the 245/70R17 size on the LS 4x2 and the 265/70R17 size on the LS 4x4, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire sizes differ.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it is still important to verify wheel width as well as the tire size itself. A truck can have the correct 17-inch diameter and still need a different tire choice if the wheel width or overall setup has been changed.
Do all 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS 4x2 uses 245/70R17, while the 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS 4x4 uses 265/70R17. Both are radial tires on 17-inch rims, but the sub-models do not share one common size.
That difference means a Silverado owner should not select a tire by year and trim name alone. Checking the drivetrain, current wheel setup, and the size already on the truck helps avoid ordering a 17-inch tire that is correct in diameter but wrong for the actual configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS tire?
Start with the correct size for the truck’s drivetrain: 245/70R17 for an LS 4x2 and 265/70R17 for an LS 4x4. From there, compare radial construction, rim-width compatibility, and load capacity so the tire suits how the Silverado is actually used rather than simply matching the wheel diameter.
A truck that sees light duty may need something different from one that carries heavier loads or spends time on rougher surfaces. It also helps to check whether the truck still has its original wheel setup, since aftermarket wheels can change the rim-width requirements for the tire.
What sidewall styles are available for 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS tires?
The available tires for this 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS fitment use RWL sidewalls, which means raised white letter styling. That sidewall treatment appears on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options offered in both 245/70R17 and 265/70R17.
Sidewall style is mostly an appearance decision, but it still matters on a pickup because it changes the truck’s overall presentation. Raised white letters tend to give the Silverado a more aggressive all-terrain look, so buyers should decide whether that matches the truck’s intended style before making a final choice.
What tire series are available for the 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS?
The tire series available for the 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. It is offered in the two Silverado LS fitment sizes used here, with the 265/70R17 size available in more than one load-capacity version.
That means the main comparison is less about switching between multiple series and more about matching the KO2 specification to the truck’s configuration and use. Looking at size, wheel-width range, and load rating is more useful than focusing only on the series name.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment still matters even on a modern-era truck like the 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS. The 4x2 and 4x4 use different primary sizes, so getting the right tire is part of preserving the truck’s proper stance and avoiding a mismatch that looks or functions out of place.
Appearance-minded buyers should also pay attention to sidewall presentation and whether the truck retains its original wheel setup. If exact restoration accuracy is important, checking factory literature, build details, or marque-specific references can help confirm that the chosen tire presentation matches the truck’s intended look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS?
For this Silverado 1500 LS, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the construction itself is already in line with the truck’s modern pickup era. The visible appearance difference comes more from the tire’s profile, sidewall lettering, and overall stance than from a bias-ply versus radial decision.
Raised white letter sidewalls on the available BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires give the truck a stronger all-terrain look than a plainer sidewall would. Buyers restoring a truck for a stock-style presentation should consider how that sidewall treatment complements the wheels, ride height, and intended finished appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS?
Yes. Even when the truck uses the correct basic size, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lifts, lowering kits, or body modifications can affect how a tire fits on a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS. That matters for both the 245/70R17 and 265/70R17 fitments.
A modified truck should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and full-range suspension movement before a new tire choice is treated as suitable. It is also smart to verify the exact wheel dimensions already on the truck, since a 17-inch rim can still vary in ways that affect fitment.
What should I inspect before driving a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS on new tires?
Before regular road use, inspect tire pressure, wheel condition, lug hardware, and the truck’s alignment and suspension basics. It also helps to check for rubbing at full steering lock, uneven ride height, or signs of worn components that could affect how the new tires behave once the Silverado is back on the road.
A short test drive should confirm that the truck tracks properly and that no clearance problems appear over turns or bumps. Rechecking inflation and visually inspecting the tread and sidewalls after the first miles is a simple way to catch mounting or fitment issues early.
How often should tires on a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS be inspected?
Tires on a 2012 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LS should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks worn. Routine checks for pressure loss, cuts, bulges, cracking, and uneven wear are especially important on a truck that may carry loads, sit for stretches, or alternate between paved and rougher surfaces.
A good habit is to look over the tires before longer drives and at regular intervals during normal ownership. Any Silverado that sees infrequent use should also have its tires checked for age-related condition changes, since low mileage alone does not mean a tire is ready for dependable road service.
