2013 Chevrolet Vans represents the long-running Express line in its mature, work-ready form, with full-size vans built to cover everything from light-duty hauling to heavier commercial service. In this model year, Chevrolet kept the lineup straightforward, but tire sizing still changes across the range in ways that matter. Three models use two radial sizes overall: the Express 1500 runs 245/70R17, while the Express 2500 and Express 3500 share 245/75R16. That means the first step is to identify whether you have a 1500, 2500, or 3500, then confirm the wheel diameter already on the van before choosing the correct tire size.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 2013 Chevrolet Vans
Two tire sizes cover 2013 Chevrolet Vans, and they vary by model rather than being shared across the entire range. The key decision is confirming whether your van uses a 16-inch or 17-inch wheel, since the Express 1500 and the heavier-duty Express 2500 and 3500 do not use the same rim diameter. Understanding that difference before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the correct van.
Year(s): 2013|Fit(s): Express 1500|Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
245/70R17 is a radial metric size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On 2013 Chevrolet Vans, this size is specific to the Express 1500 and is available from BFGoodrich with an RWL sidewall and an S speed rating carrying a 112 mph ceiling. It suits an Express 1500 owner who wants the correct size for that model and a light-truck radial built for modern road use.
Year(s): 2013|Fit(s): Express 2500, Express 3500|Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
245/75R16 is a radial metric size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 75-series aspect ratio, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On 2013 Chevrolet Vans, this size is specific to the Express 2500 and Express 3500 and is available from BFGoodrich with an RWL sidewall and an S speed rating carrying a 112 mph ceiling. It fits the heavier-duty Express models that share the same wheel diameter and is the size to confirm if your van is a 2500 or 3500.
Three 2013 Chevrolet Vans models are covered here. Tire size varies by model, so year and make alone are not enough; you need to identify whether your van is an Express 1500, 2500, or 3500 before narrowing the correct size. Select a model below for model-specific fitment history and products.
2013 Chevrolet Vans Express 1500
The 2013 Chevrolet Vans Express 1500 is the lighter-duty member of the Express family, aimed at passenger, cargo, and general-use van duties where everyday drivability matters. Its tire fitment mounts on a 17-inch wheel, setting it apart from the 2500 and 3500 models that use a different rim diameter.
The 2013 Chevrolet Vans Express 2500 sits in the middle of the lineup, balancing the full-size Express platform's work-van character with greater load-carrying intent than the 1500. Its tire fitment mounts on a 16-inch wheel and matches the sizing used by the heavier 3500.
The 2013 Chevrolet Vans Express 3500 is the heavy-duty end of the Chevrolet van range, commonly associated with higher payload and chassis-demanding service. It uses a 16-inch wheel like the Express 2500, which makes those two models a separate fitment group from the 1500.
Two products are available across two tire sizes for 2013 Chevrolet Vans vehicles. The 245/70R17 size uses one BFGoodrich radial with an RWL sidewall, while 245/75R16 uses one BFGoodrich radial with an RWL sidewall.
These FAQs sort out the size split between Express 1500 and Express 2500/3500 models, explain what the metric tire codes mean, and cover setup, load, speed rating, and long-term care for a working-age full-size Chevrolet van.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 2013 Chevrolet Vans vehicles?
2013 Chevrolet Vans use two tire sizes across three Express models. The Express 1500 uses 245/70R17, while the Express 2500 and Express 3500 use 245/75R16. Both are radial light-truck sizes, but they do not share the same rim diameter. The 245/70R17 mounts on a 17-inch wheel with a 6.5- to 8.0-inch rim width range, and the 245/75R16 mounts on a 16-inch wheel with the same 6.5- to 8.0-inch rim width range.
That makes model identification the first step before choosing a tire for 2013 Chevrolet Vans. If you have a 1500, start with the 17-inch fitment; if you have a 2500 or 3500, start with the 16-inch fitment. It is also wise to verify the actual wheel on the van, especially on older fleet or conversion vehicles that may have had wheels changed during service life.
What does 245/70R17 mean on a 2013 Chevrolet Vans tire?
On 2013 Chevrolet Vans, 245/70R17 is a modern metric radial size. The 245 is the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. For this year and make, that size applies to the Express 1500. The available tire in this size carries an S speed rating, which means a 112 mph ceiling, and a maximum load rating of 3,000 pounds at 80 psi.
The practical point is that 245/70R17 is more than just a number string; it tells you the tire's basic dimensions and the wheel it must fit. A 2013 Chevrolet Vans owner with an Express 1500 should match all parts of that code rather than trying to substitute only by width or only by wheel diameter. Checking the sidewall on the van now is the quickest way to confirm whether it is still on the expected 17-inch fitment.
What does 245/75R16 mean on a 2013 Chevrolet Vans tire?
On 2013 Chevrolet Vans, 245/75R16 is also a metric radial size. The 245 is the section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size fits the Express 2500 and Express 3500. The available tire in this size carries an S speed rating with a 112 mph ceiling and a maximum load rating of 3,042 pounds at 80 psi.
That fitment matters because the 2013 Chevrolet Vans 2500 and 3500 do not use the same wheel diameter as the 1500. If your van is one of the heavier-duty Express models, the 16-inch fitment is the one to verify first. Even when two sizes share a similar width, the wrong rim diameter stops the installation before any other comparison about load or use can begin.
Buying the Right Tire
What sidewall styles are available for 2013 Chevrolet Vans tires?
2013 Chevrolet Vans tires here use an RWL, or raised white letter, sidewall style in both 245/70R17 and 245/75R16. That gives the van a more truck-oriented appearance than a plain blackwall tire. Because both available sizes share the same sidewall treatment, the visual choice is straightforward across the Express lineup rather than varying from one model to another.
For a 2013 Chevrolet Vans owner, the sidewall decision is mostly about appearance and how the van will be presented. Raised white letters suit a more assertive utility look and pair naturally with an all-terrain light-truck tire. If your van is a work-oriented restoration, camper conversion, or personal-use hauler, that sidewall style may be part of the look you want to preserve across the correct size for your model.
What brands make tires for 2013 Chevrolet Vans vehicles?
BFGoodrich covers both tire sizes used on 2013 Chevrolet Vans here. The Express 1500 size, 245/70R17, is available in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 line, and the Express 2500 and 3500 size, 245/75R16, is also available in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 line. Both are radial light-truck tires with raised white letters and S speed ratings.
That consistency simplifies the choice for a 2013 Chevrolet Vans owner because the same brand family spans the year's two fitment groups. Instead of comparing several different manufacturers, the real decision centers on confirming the van's model and wheel diameter first. Once that is settled, you can focus on whether the tire's construction, load rating, and all-terrain character match how the van is actually driven and used.
What is the difference between BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options for the 2013 Chevrolet Vans?
For 2013 Chevrolet Vans, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 appears in two different sizes rather than two competing versions of the same fitment. LT245/70R17/E fits the Express 1500, weighs 47 pounds, carries 3,000 pounds at 80 psi, and fits 6.5- to 8.0-inch rims. LT245/75R16/E fits the Express 2500 and 3500, weighs 48 pounds, carries 3,042 pounds at 80 psi, and also fits 6.5- to 8.0-inch rims.
The practical difference is fitment group, not styling or construction philosophy. A 2013 Chevrolet Vans owner should not choose between these two by preference alone, because the 16-inch and 17-inch wheel diameters are not interchangeable. Once the correct model is confirmed, the matching KO2 size gives you the intended load and wheel fit characteristics for that part of the Express lineup.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 2013 Chevrolet Vans tires require?
Both tire sizes used on 2013 Chevrolet Vans call for the same rim width range. The 245/70R17 for the Express 1500 fits rims from 6.5 to 8.0 inches wide, and the 245/75R16 for the Express 2500 and Express 3500 also fits rims from 6.5 to 8.0 inches wide. The difference between the two fitments is wheel diameter, not approved rim-width range.
That means a 2013 Chevrolet Vans owner should verify two things before moving ahead: the wheel must have the correct diameter for the model, and it should fall inside the approved width range for the chosen size. Width compatibility alone does not make a 16-inch tire suitable for a 17-inch wheel or the reverse. If the van has aftermarket wheels, checking the wheel stamp or manufacturer specification is the safest approach.
Do 2013 Chevrolet Vans tires require inner tubes?
The available tires for 2013 Chevrolet Vans are modern radial light-truck sizes with no tube-type marking in the size description. That points to tubeless fitment rather than an inner-tube design for both 245/70R17 and 245/75R16. These are contemporary van and truck tire sizes, not antique or vintage tube-type casing formats.
Even so, a 2013 Chevrolet Vans owner should still inspect the wheel itself before installation. A damaged bead seat, corrosion, or an older specialty wheel can create sealing issues that are not caused by the tire. If the van has seen commercial use, long storage, or wheel swaps, make sure the valve stems, wheel condition, and bead surfaces are all in proper shape before the tire is put into service.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 2013 Chevrolet Vans when the tires are fitted?
A 2013 Chevrolet Vans should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, standing water, and ozone sources such as electric motors, welders, or battery chargers. Rolling the van periodically helps avoid long-term flat spotting, especially on a heavy full-size van that may sit for long intervals. Clean the tires with mild soap and water rather than petroleum-based dressings that can dry or discolor the rubber over time.
Long storage is often harder on tires than regular use, particularly on vehicles that carry weight and then remain parked for months. If your 2013 Chevrolet Vans will sit through a season, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged stress on one contact patch. Before returning it to the road, check inflation, inspect the sidewalls, and make sure no cracking, weathering, or deformation has developed during storage.
How long do tires on a 2013 Chevrolet Vans typically last?
Tires on a 2013 Chevrolet Vans should be judged by age and condition as much as by tread depth. A sound collector or low-mileage vehicle practice is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age, and to treat around ten years from the DOT date code as a serious replacement threshold even if the tread still looks usable. Heavy vans can age tires out before they wear them out.
That timeline matters because a 2013 Chevrolet Vans may have been driven lightly, used seasonally, or parked for long periods, all of which can hide age-related decline. The sidewall date code is the best place to start, followed by a close look for cracking, hardening, irregular wear, and any change in ride quality. Mileage alone is not a reliable guide when a van sees mixed commercial, recreational, or collector-style use.
How often should tires on a 2013 Chevrolet Vans be inspected?
Tires on a 2013 Chevrolet Vans deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough one before any longer trip. Check air pressure, tread depth, shoulder wear, cuts, bulges, punctures, and sidewall weathering. Because these are load-rated light-truck tires, uneven wear can also signal alignment, suspension, or loading issues rather than a tire problem by itself.
A full-size van can place real demand on its tires even at moderate speeds, so regular inspection is part of routine vehicle care rather than a once-a-year task. On a 2013 Chevrolet Vans used for hauling, travel, or passenger duty, pressure retention and tread condition should be watched closely. If the van has spent time parked, inspect even more carefully before returning it to service, including the spare if one is carried.
Safety & Road Use
Are 2013 Chevrolet Vans tires safe for highway driving?
The available tires for 2013 Chevrolet Vans are radial light-truck tires with S speed ratings, which carry a 112 mph ceiling in both 245/70R17 and 245/75R16. That is comfortably above normal U.S. highway speeds, so the tire's speed rating is not usually the limiting factor in ordinary road use. On a full-size van, loading, inflation, suspension condition, and the vehicle's own braking and handling characteristics are often more important to safety than outright speed capability.
Highway use still depends on choosing the correct size for the correct Express model and keeping the tire in proper condition. A 2013 Chevrolet Vans owner should treat speed rating as only one part of the picture, not the whole answer. Matching the van's duty level, confirming pressure, and avoiding overloaded operation do more for confident road behavior than chasing a higher rating that does not address the real use of the vehicle.
What inflation pressure should I use for 2013 Chevrolet Vans tires?
The available 245/70R17 tire for 2013 Chevrolet Vans is rated for 3,000 pounds at 80 psi, and the available 245/75R16 tire is rated for 3,042 pounds at 80 psi. Those figures are the tire's maximum load and pressure relationship, not an automatic instruction to run every van at 80 psi in daily use. Factory pressure recommendations for the van itself should still come from the door-jamb label or owner's manual.
That distinction matters because a 2013 Chevrolet Vans can serve very different roles, from light personal use to sustained commercial loading. Tire makers publish the pressure needed to support a given load, while Chevrolet sets vehicle recommendations around handling, comfort, and intended service. Use the correct size first, then confirm the van's specified pressure and adjust only within the tire's rated limits for the actual load being carried.
What should I check before taking a 2013 Chevrolet Vans on a longer drive?
Before a longer trip in a 2013 Chevrolet Vans, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Confirm that the size on the van matches its model group, with 245/70R17 for the Express 1500 and 245/75R16 for the Express 2500 or 3500. Check the spare as well, since an aged or underinflated spare can turn a minor roadside issue into a much larger delay.
A tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive routine on a full-size van, especially one used for travel, hauling, or infrequent recreation. Pay attention to how the van is loaded, whether it tracks straight, and whether any vibration has appeared since the last drive. Catching a pressure loss or sidewall problem in the driveway is far easier than dealing with it after miles of heat buildup on the road.
