Adaptive Ride Control with 20s vs. Adaptive Ride Control with 22s

MrLeadFoot · November 14, 2023

I'm wondering if anybody knows if the Adaptive Ride Control is programmed differently for 22" and 20" wheels. FWIW, my truck came with the 22" wheels with Bridgestones, and I found a set of brand new 20" takeoffs with the Duelers. I gotta say it rides SO much smoother and can't help but wonder, that because the ride has significantly changed with the wheel swap alone, if GM actually uses different programming for the two very different wheels setups.

If it means anything, before doing the swap, I checked with a dealer, and they said they have some kind of kit that includes some sort of proceudre and an updated placard (door sticker) when you change wheels, but it only applies if you "upgrade" from 20" to 22". They said GM didn't make a package for people "downgrading". If you ask me, we actually pay extra for the downgrade to the ride 22" stock wheels results in. In fact, the guy I bought the 20s from said he misses the quietness and smoothness of the 20s. He felt like it was too late to go "backwards" because he spent $3500 on the "upgraded" 22" GM wheels and tires, but that's another story. I really want to know if the programming is different for the different wheels, even thought the diameter is virtually the same.

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 14, 2023 by MrLeadFoot

Kevin0311 · November 15, 2023

22 stock 20 winter setup on my 2023, i notice rides a bit better with larger sidewall on 20" setup, overall diameter same/equal on both so i don't know why there would be a different "setting" on the adaptive ride control.

redwngr · November 15, 2023

Not sure if these are the exact tire sizes you are comparing, but

The 2 sizes likely have very similar outside diameter.

Of course the rim size is 2" different -- so the sidewall height makes up for the difference.

Shorter sidewall will be stiffer giving a worse ride.

Same thing happens between 18" and 20" factory sizes.

I first experienced the significance of the sidewall thing when switching an uplevel trim Impala that had rubber band tires over to smaller diameter rim / taller sidewall (winter) tires.

I felt the difference between 18"and 20" on a 2016 SLT.

and feel it now on '23 Denali. (20's vs 18's)

Kevin0311 · November 16, 2023

when i was looking a few years ago i believe can only get adaptive ride control option with 22" wheel/tires, try doing the builder online and when select ARC it will automatically switch you to 22"

thought i saw on here or somewhere that the outside diameter needed to be very close to oem (can't get larger tires) as ARC is calibrated for that size, not sure though.

GETGONE · November 17, 2023

They only difference in programming would be because of the added unsprung weight of the 22's from the 20's. Not sure how the auto ride works compared to the older magnetic ride of my 08 Avalanche.

redwngr · November 17, 2023

16 hours ago, Kevin0311 said:

when i was looking a few years ago i believe can only get adaptive ride control option with 22" wheel/tires, try doing the builder online and when select ARC it will automatically switch you to 22"

thought i saw on here or somewhere that the outside diameter needed to be very close to oem (can't get larger tires) as ARC is calibrated for that size, not sure though.

( RPO Z45 )Adaptive ride control is definitely not restricted to 22" wheels.

All 1500 Denali get Z45.

For model years 2023 and 2024 (didnt' check earlier years)

Denali can be ordered with 20's or 22's. (20's standard)

Denali Ultimate has 22's standard

Kevin0311 · November 17, 2023

Must be different for Silverado in 23/24? It requires "package" which moves to 22" wheel options to complete the package. Can NOT build own as i just tried with 20" with ARC

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/09/2021-chevy-silverado-gets-adaptive-ride-control-suspension/

Edited November 17, 2023 by Kevin0311

MrLeadFoot · November 17, 2023

Because weight difference between 22" and 20" wheel/tire combo is negligible, I was actually wondering if GM would have taken the "more" or "less" sidewall into consideration when calibrating the shocks. But, now that I know what I know, I bet they don't have the wherewithall to do something like that, while somebody like Toyota/Lexus would be more inclined to do so.

While definitely smoother over broken pieces of road, crackfills, holes, wahsboards and such, it seems that the 20"s "bounce" or "float" more over bumps and dips, and roll more in the corners. Of course, it's not an apples to apples comparison, given that the Bridgestones on the 22"s are a street performance tire compared to the AT tires on the 20", so better street performance tires might positively affect that. Have any of you with 20" changed to a street tire and found them to be better?

I did keep my 22", and I may put them back on just to see how much difference they really make in all aspects of ride, as I got the 20" because I was looking to minimize vibration in the cabin, so was looking at the difference from a different perspective then, if that makes sense.

MrLeadFoot · November 17, 2023

On 11/15/2023 at 12:58 PM, redwngr said:

Shorter sidewall will be stiffer giving a worse ride.

Same thing happens between 18" and 20" factory sizes.

I first experienced the significance of the sidewall thing when switching an uplevel trim Impala that had rubber band tires over to smaller diameter rim / taller sidewall (winter) tires.

I felt the difference between 18"and 20" on a 2016 SLT.

and feel it now on '23 Denali. (20's vs 18's)

Are you saying you went from 20" to 18" on your new Denali? It must be noticably smoother, but obviously sways more in the corners, right?

Edited November 17, 2023 by MrLeadFoot

redwngr · November 18, 2023

3 hours ago, MrLeadFoot said:

Are you saying you went from 20" to 18" on your new Denali? It must be noticably smoother, but obviously sways more in the corners, right?

Yes.

Standard 20's for summer take-off 18's for winter.

I have a set of AT4 take-off rims (AT$ uses 18") that I've put Nokian winter tires on.

I used these rims/tires on the 2021 as well.

On a 2016 SLT that also came on 20's I ran a different set of GM 18" take-off 18's for winter.

All 3 trucks when on the 18's have more 'roll' when hard cornering and slighty better ride.

I air done the rears some when running unloaded.

Placard pressures are for when vehicles is fully loaded. On a pickup this means the rears are a higher than necessary if it's not loaded.

MrLeadFoot · November 18, 2023

1 hour ago, redwngr said:

I air done the rears some when running unloaded.

Placard pressures are for when vehicles is fully loaded. On a pickup this means the rears are a higher than necessary if it's not loaded.

I've also played around with pressures but always kept them even. I experienced more bounce with these 20s when I lowered them all by 3 lbs. When I lowered my 22s by as much as 4 lbs., I didn't experience any more bounce whatsoever, but the ride was definitely less harsh. I'll try lowering just the rears on the 20s and see what I find.

FWIW, there's a noticeable difference even in a 2 lbs. change on these tires, because 2 lbs. equals much more air volume than a car sized tire.

redwngr · November 18, 2023

18 hours ago, MrLeadFoot said:

I've also played around with pressures but always kept them even. I experienced more bounce with these 20s when I lowered them all by 3 lbs. When I lowered my 22s by as much as 4 lbs., I didn't experience any more bounce whatsoever, but the ride was definitely less harsh. I'll try lowering just the rears on the 20s and see what I find.

FWIW, there's a noticeable difference even in a 2 lbs. change on these tires, because 2 lbs. equals much more air volume than a car sized tire.

If is a driver and not fully loaded, it's highly likely that the front and rear axle aren't carrying the same weight.

A tire load vs inflation pressure chart will indicate the front and rears will have different recommended pressures -- for the loads yours is carrying

MrLeadFoot · November 19, 2023

1 hour ago, redwngr said:

If is a driver and not fully loaded, it's highly likely that the front and rear axle aren't carrying the same weight.

A tire load vs inflation pressure chart will indicate the front and rears will have different recommended pressures -- for the loads yours is carrying

What pressures are you runing on yours?