The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu arrived in a period when midsize sedans were expected to balance everyday comfort, modern road manners, and a more tailored design than earlier family cars. That makes tire choice especially important, because this Malibu uses several different radial sizes depending on sub-model and wheel package, from 16-inch through 19-inch fitments. Available choices also vary in character, including blackwall performance-oriented radials and appearance-driven options such as redline, raised white letter, and wide whitewall styles in certain sizes. The right pick starts with confirming the exact trim and wheel diameter, then matching the tire’s look and driving purpose to how the car is actually equipped and used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package. These are all radial fitments, but they span 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, and 19-inch rims, so confirming the actual wheel diameter is the first step before choosing a tire. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to profile, sidewall style, brand, and the kind of road use or appearance you want from the car.
225/55R17 is a metric radial size: 225 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, this size suits 17-inch-wheel applications and gives access to several different tire personalities within the same fitment. Choices include BFGoodrich g-Force and Silvertown Radial offerings, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline sidewall treatments. This size is worth evaluating carefully if your Malibu is equipped for 17-inch fitment and you want either a contemporary blackwall look or a more distinctive custom presentation.
215/60R16 is a metric radial size in which 215 is the nominal width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter. For the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, this size belongs to 16-inch-wheel configurations and represents the smaller-diameter factory fitment used across certain trims. Its role is straightforward: the main concern is making sure the car actually has the 16-inch wheel setup before moving ahead. This is the size to use when the vehicle’s wheel package and trim call for the 16-inch radial fitment rather than one of the larger wheel options.
235/50R18 is a metric radial size, with 235 as the nominal section width in millimeters, 50 as the aspect ratio, R for radial construction, and 18 for the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, this size supports 18-inch applications and offers the broadest visible product variety among the larger-wheel fitments. BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options appear in this size, with blackwall, redline, and RWL sidewall styles across several tire series. It is the right size to examine when your Malibu carries an 18-inch package and you want meaningful choice in both appearance and tire character.
245/40R19 is a metric radial size where 245 gives the nominal width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 19 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, this size is tied to 19-inch-wheel applications and sits at the largest wheel diameter used on this model line. Available choices center on BFGoodrich g-Force series blackwall radials, so the selection is more focused on series and specification details than on sidewall appearance. This size should only be considered after confirming that the car actually uses the 19-inch wheel package.
Tire fitment on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu varies by sub-model, and some trims were offered with more than one wheel and tire package. Checking the exact trim name and the wheel diameter on the car matters before selecting a replacement, because the Malibu spans four different radial sizes.
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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco uses a single 17-inch radial fitment, which keeps the sizing decision simple once the trim is confirmed. Tire selection then becomes a matter of choosing the right style and series within that size, whether the goal is a straightforward blackwall look or a more distinctive sidewall treatment.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LS uses a single 16-inch radial tire size, making wheel-diameter confirmation the main fitment checkpoint. Once that is verified, the focus stays on selecting a tire that matches the car’s actual wheel setup and intended everyday road use.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT 1LT Pkg. can use either a 16-inch or 17-inch radial fitment, so this trim requires extra attention before replacement. The deciding factor is the wheel package currently on the car, not just the trim badge, since the tire choice changes with the installed rim diameter.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT 2LT Pkg. uses an 18-inch radial fitment, placing it in one of the Malibu’s larger-wheel configurations. That opens up a wider range of product choices in the correct size, including different brands, series, and sidewall styles depending on the look you want.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT 3LT Pkg. uses an 18-inch radial tire size, so replacement begins with staying in that wheel diameter. From there, the decision shifts toward product character and appearance, since this size includes both conventional blackwall tires and more specialized sidewall treatments.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 1LTZ Pkg. uses an 18-inch radial fitment, which keeps the basic size question fairly direct. The next step is comparing the available tire series and sidewall styles in that size to match the car’s current presentation and intended use.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 2LTZ Pkg. can use either an 18-inch or 19-inch radial fitment, so the actual wheel diameter must be confirmed before choosing a tire. That distinction matters because the 18-inch size offers broader style variety, while the 19-inch size is centered on blackwall performance-oriented options.
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 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Tires for Sale
Available 2013 Chevrolet Malibu tires vary by size, brand, tire series, and sidewall presentation. BFGoodrich appears across multiple fitments, with Nitto and Pro-Trac options in 235/50R18, while available styles include blackwall, redline, RWL, and wide whitewall depending on size.
Common 2013 Chevrolet Malibu tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct size by trim and wheel diameter, then comparing radial options by sidewall style, series, brand, and real-world fitment considerations.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu uses four primary tire sizes: 215/60R16, 225/55R17, 235/50R18, and 245/40R19. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package, and all of these are radial fitments rather than bias-ply sizes.
The most important step is confirming the actual wheel diameter on the car before choosing a replacement tire. Some trims, including the LT 1LT Pkg. and LTZ 2LTZ Pkg., can use more than one size, so the trim badge alone is not always enough if the wheels have been changed.
What size rim does a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu use?
A 2013 Chevrolet Malibu can use 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch rims, depending on the trim and wheel package. Those rim diameters correspond to the Malibu’s four tire sizes: 215/60R16, 225/55R17, 235/50R18, and 245/40R19.
That wide spread means wheel confirmation comes before tire shopping. Looking at the sidewall size already on the car and physically checking the wheel diameter can prevent ordering the wrong fitment, especially on cars that may have had wheel swaps, upgraded trim take-offs, or aftermarket replacements installed at some point.
Why does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have more than one tire size?
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has more than one tire size because different sub-models were equipped with different wheel diameters and tire packages. The Malibu range spans from 16-inch through 19-inch fitments, and some trims were offered with more than one wheel-and-tire combination.
That means tire selection is tied to how the individual car is equipped, not just to the model name. A Malibu LS, Eco, LT, or LTZ may not use the same size, and a trim with multiple fitments should be matched to the wheels actually on the vehicle before comparing brands, series, or sidewall styles.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact trim and wheel diameter, then compare the available radial options within that fitment. On the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, the right choice may also involve sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, weight, and load specifications where they are stated.
A practical approach is to match the tire to how the car is used and how you want it to look. A blackwall performance-style radial gives a different presentation than a redline, RWL, or wide whitewall, and those appearance choices only appear in certain Malibu sizes.
What sidewall styles are available for 2013 Chevrolet Malibu tires?
Sidewall choices for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu include blackwall, redline, RWL, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size. Blackwall options appear across the larger size range, while redline and wide whitewall are available in selected 17-inch and 18-inch fitments.
The right sidewall style depends first on staying within the correct size for the car’s wheel package. After that, the decision is mostly about appearance, since a Malibu with 17-inch or 18-inch wheels has more room for visual customization than a 16-inch or 19-inch application with narrower product variety.
What brands offer tires for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
BFGoodrich is the main brand across the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu fitments, with Nitto and Pro-Trac also appearing in 235/50R18. Brand availability changes by size, so the range of choices is broader in some Malibu wheel packages than in others.
That makes size confirmation important before comparing brands. A 235/50R18 Malibu owner can compare BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options, while a 245/40R19 application stays within BFGoodrich offerings, so the real selection factors become tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width suitability.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
A period-style 2013 Chevrolet Malibu tire choice starts with the correct original-size radial fitment for the trim and wheel package currently on the car. From there, appearance-oriented options such as Silvertown Radial redline or wide whitewall treatments in 225/55R17, or redline and RWL styles in 235/50R18, can create a more distinctive presentation.
The best visual match depends on whether the car is being kept near stock in appearance or personalized with a custom look. It is worth checking period brochures, dealer literature, or model-specific enthusiast references if exact-era appearance matters more than simply selecting a correct-size radial with vintage-inspired sidewall styling.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu restoration because the tire size and wheel diameter affect both appearance and stance. Using the proper 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch fitment for the trim keeps the car visually closer to its intended proportions.
Fitment also influences how believable the finished car looks, even on a driver-quality restoration. A mismatched tire profile or incorrect wheel diameter can change the Malibu’s overall presentation, so it helps to confirm the exact sub-model, current wheel setup, and preferred sidewall treatment before making a final tire selection.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, altered ride height, or body modifications can all change how a 215/60R16, 225/55R17, 235/50R18, or 245/40R19 tire sits and clears the car.
Even when the tire size matches a known Malibu fitment, the car’s current setup still matters. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, offset, and clearance at the fender and steering components is especially important if the vehicle no longer uses its original wheel-and-suspension combination.
What should I inspect before driving a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu on new tires?
Before driving a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu on new tires, inspect the tires for correct size, proper inflation, visible damage, and secure mounting on the correct wheel diameter. It is also smart to verify that all four tires match the intended fitment for the trim and that there is no rubbing at full steering lock.
A quick road-use check should also include suspension condition, alignment behavior, and any sign of unusual vibration or air loss after installation. On a vehicle that has seen wheel changes or prior repairs, rechecking clearance and confirming lug hardware and wheel seating can prevent avoidable fitment problems.
How often should tires on a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. Frequent checks for pressure loss, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, cracking, and embedded road debris are important on any daily-driven or occasionally used Malibu, regardless of whether it runs 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch tires.
A simple routine is to look over the tires monthly and before longer drives. Cars that sit for extended periods still need attention, because age, storage conditions, and underinflation can affect tire condition even when mileage stays low, and those issues are easy to miss until the car is back on the road.
