AirWolf99

I'll pass over the fact that this title reminds me of an old Star Trek episode that shall not be named...

I've had my new c7 for almost a month now. The residential roads here in CT still have small gravel/pebbles on the streets leftover from winter that range from sand grains up to roughly eighth inch pebbles.

I've noticed that the larger of these pebbles have become lodged into the surface of my tires and are flush with the tire (see pictures below). I wouldn't think much of it but (1) this doesn't happen much on tires of other cars as far as I can tell and (2), some have created eighth inch divots in my tires which don't look good. I should add that there doesn't appear to be any cracking around the pebbles - they are just kind of 'mushed' in by the weight of the car.

Should I be worried? It seems hard
to believe a tire would be created that can't handle a bit of gravel here and there, but stranger things have happened...

Thanks,
Chris

chazam

I have 100's of small divets from pebbles and have not had any tire problems. Seems pretty common on these summer tires.

speedlink

Worried about what?

Woodson

Very soft compound especially when warmed to operating temperature. You should see how many Tribbles, ahem, pebbles get stuck in an F1 tire. Not a problem.

CdnC7

I've noticed the same thing on mine ...

in addition, I have noticed that these tires pick up every single pebble, sand or particle on the road, and either absorb it or fling it at the body. I cringe every time I hear that inevitable noise of pebbles hitting the floor/rockers.

Driving down the road, if I see fresh soil/dirt on the ground from a new development or from truck tracks nearby a construction site, I almost always slow to a crawl if safe to do so, or change routes, and take another street.

C7 BOB

You need a phaser to zap them little buggers.

How about scrubbing your tires like race car drivers.

lancekl

With the taxes you pay in CT. they should sweep the streets every morning

AirWolf99

Thanks everyone. Glad to hear this isnt likely to cause any problems.

Zymurgy

traronf

I hear you.... The roads are a mess here in my Connectiuct town. I have wanted to drive my car more than I have but I have been waiting for a lot if these pebbles and rocks to get scattered off the road. I am having a clear film applied to my car next weekend and will feel a little better once that is done.

FLS2K

Totally normal. These tires get gooey when hot. I pulled a pebble off one of mine and a small string of gooey rubber actually came with it. Like pulling a nut off your hot-fudge sundae.

Vetteman Jack

Dang, those tires must be very soft and sticky. Hope the streets in your area get cleared from the pebbles soon.

Sharkbite 6870

I have the same exact pebble problem here in North Jersey. I even took my broom to the street at the end of my driveway to try and clean it up but it was a waste of time the entire way on the side streets is just a joke, and my street was paved last year!
When I make turns about 20% of the time the pebbles kick up from the front tires onto the hood and I cry, and a little of me dies with each pebble impact. Thankfully I don't have any chips yet I just can't believe it, this paint must be real thick and soft.

ssidekickbp

I'd only be worried for the person behind you. I have " thrown" tons of these at people who ride too close on my rear......

Bryan Wharton

I had the same concern Chris. See my thread in Tech Performance named " C7 Z51 Tire Stone Drilling a problem?" (Sorry I don't know how to copy the link) but that was almost a year ago and I have managed to stay clear of really bad areas but still have to dig out the occasional stone when the wheels are off!
Keep an eye on it as the tyres are soft when warm and it is a potential problem.

The flip side is that the tires are grippy and hang like **** to a blanket!

billeee

With the road noise, hard ride, low temperature loss of traction, cold cracking, and collecting/throwing road debris, these tires are a PITA.

They should be optional on the non-track versions of the Corvette.

KenHorse

I love pebbles

Woodson

I've actually come around on this. I now agree that A/S should be standard on the base car with the summer performance tires as an option. The summer performance tires should still be standard on the Z51.

DAFFYDRUNK

Yep, same thing here. Pebbles get stuck in the tires and make noises that sound like I have a nail in a tire. Then you dig em out and all is quiet again... for about 30 seconds when another one gets stuck somewhere.

No rock chips in the front yet at 550 or so mi, but I have a couple in front of the rear tires. Not sure if I wanna spend the money on side skirts.

JerryU

[QUOTE=AirWolf99;1589440612]I'll pass over the fact that this title reminds me of an old Star Trek episode that shall not be named...

I've had my new c7 for almost a month now. The residential roads here in CT still have small gravel/pebbles on the streets leftover from winter that range from sand grains up to roughly eighth inch pebbles. eighth inch divots in my tires which don't look good. I should add that there doesn't appear to be any cracking around the pebbles - they are just kind of 'mushed' in by the weight of the car.

Should I be worried? It seems hard
to believe a tire would be created that can't handle a bit of gravel here and there, but stranger things have happened...

Thanks,
Chris
QUOTE]

I have a dead end gravel road that ties into the one I live on and the few cars that go their drag small rocks onto our paved road. I’ve been having a similar problem but mine don’t stay long! They fly off when driving!
However a bigger problem is the ones from the front tires hit the GM plastic protection. Installed GM Splash Guards, which helped in the rear, but little help in the front! Installed CF side skirts that match my CF roof! Work like a charm! Stopped all rock problems and allowed me to remove the marked up GM plastic.





Need Side Skirts To Protect Rocker panels