I've read several posts in which ppl have said the same thing, that being if the tires are original on an older vette they need to be replaced. My 94 has 29K and what I do believe to be the original tires...245's up front and 285's out back. There is a very good amount of tread left, no cracks whatsoever on the sidewalls on either side of the tires, and no unusual wear. Car rides great with no noticeable problems so why replace the tires? Do they/can they deteriorate from the inside out? I plan on taking my new toy on a few road trips so if there's a potential "accident waiting to happen" I'd really appreciate some insight from anybody that has more knowledge of vettes and tires then I do..which pretty much includes anybody thats breathing

 

I'm no expert, but those tires are ~15 years old now and rubber compounds do dry out (dry-rot). This could most likely result in a weaker sidewall, bead and valve stems. Personally, I wouldn't trust them on a road trip.

 

Why take a chance with your life?

Jim

 

There is a code on the tires, I don't remember how to read it but it tells you when the tires were made. If the tires are more than 5 years old I would consider replacing them.

 

After you put on a new pair of shoes you'll know why. Get some good tires and save the old ones if you want to have the set as original. Heck... You could buy a new set of wheels with the tires mounted. That way you'd have two sets.

 

There is a code on the tires and they could be on the outside or inside of the tire sidewall usually around the size. It will usually be a 4 digit number such as 2305 which means made the 23rd week of 2005. If those tires are from 96, you may not get killed, but you could have an added expense of a tow bill and need new rims on your trip. The best maintenance is preventive.

 

I wouldn't do any high speed driving with old tires.
Blow-Outs are ugly at high speeds.

 

Well, I put a 9 year old tire on my Trooper (don't tell me) The tread separated from the tire in 9 months....the tire looked great...just like new....The tread at 70mph was brutal to the splash guards......it was ugly.

This guy selling "new" tires in ebay for 1/2 price. I learned my lesson as both tires did the same thing yet they still had the paint stripes on them when I mounted them.

I'd hat to see what a separation like that would do to the clam shell

 

I had a "brand new" set of tires put on my boat trailer and made several road trips (boat racing) then got off the race circuit for about 4-5 years. The tires probably didn't have 2000-3000 miles on them. The trailer was stored outside and the tires were covered to avoid UV exposure. So, now its time to go back on the race circuit. I check everything twice and we are "road ready". Laeve after work on a Thursday night for San Antonio TX to race Sat/Sun. Well we get as far as Ft. Worth, about 5 hours from Wichita and I start hearing a strange loud metalic noise as we run about 70 MPH at midnight under the overpasses on I-35W. I check my mirrors and the sparks are shooting FORWARD out of the wheel wells on the passenger side. There are no shoulders so we limp up the next ramp to change out to the spare. Ugly neighborhood and the local hoods are doing drive by's to see if we have anything they might want to risk their or our life to get. Good news is they dont sail! So, the five of us get to spend the night in the boat on the trailer in the parking lot at the local Discount Tire and are first in line to put 4 new hooves and a spare on the trailer.

No damage to the rig or the rims as I must have picked up on it right after it went. And because it's a dual axle trailer, it didn't get ugly when one tire went. But, I will say at 70 from the look of the rubber marks on the trailer wheel well, I'd guess with fiberglass you might look like the NASCAR guys running too fast back to the pits and tear up a panel or wheelhouse.

Lessons learned:
1. Don't go on the road with seemingly good looking tires that are aged! It doesn't matter how they look!
2. Always put the 9mm under the drivers seat and holster it when doing roadside repairs!
3. Put a "point man" out to watch the backs of those working on the vehicle.

:-)

Buy new tires!

 

Here's some good info to determine the age of a tire:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

 

I've spoken with a few tire reps who all agreed that the mfgrs will not stand behind their product in court after the tires are four years old. Most racing rules require tires be no older than four years.

Its not the rubber that you see, its the construction deterioration that you cannot see. Belts, plys and vulcanization will start to unbind as the tire ages. If you want to drive the street on those tires under 55MPH go right ahead.

Other wise, buy a new set and enjoy your ride.

 

As someone mentioned above, it's not worth your life (and maybe someone else's) to gamble on old tires to save a few bucks.

 

with all of the above... REPLACE THE TIRES!!!

 

If you think it rides good with 15 year old tires it should be great with new tires .I would not run my car on 15 year old tires

 

When I bought our 1974 Pantera in 2007 it had less than 18000 miles on it. I went through the paperwork and saw the tires, which looked brand new, had been bought in 1985 at 16000 miles. The car has new tires on it now. Why risk damage to your nice, low mileage car, and maybe to yourself, on old tires. Even if they look perfect on the outside, they can be coming apart on the inside. Also, new tires will have better traction and more flexible sidewalls, giving a better ride and better cornering.

 

..........And the sad thing about it is....until I had my Fleabay experience......I was in the complete opposite camp as I am now. Two Brand new looking tires...and they de-laminated within a few thousand miles of being mounted.

Now I even look at my Spare for age.

Oh Oh Oh !!! Lemme tell what got me to buy the Fleabay Tires to begin with......This is a real "Doh!" moment.

While at my daughters Soccer game last fall, some guy left a note on my window telling me that the tires on my trooper were too old. He was concerned about my safety....

...You wanna see someone that was pissed....How could this stranger criticize me?? I know everything!!!

The tires were the Stockers from 2001...my Trooper only had just over 58k miles at the time and the rears were a bit haggered but still ok in my opinion. Well that note worked on me for a month or so...then I start looking for a "deal"

I find the tires on Fleabay for $125 for both...I buy them and mount them. Then that De-lamination occurred with both the Fleabay tires (within 1000 miles for the first one to go .)

So now, the truck has about 62k miles and all the tires are new from my local Goodyear store........I saved NOTHING and risked EVERYTHING in the process.

 

My 89 had 16000 miles on it, They were 16 years old when I changed the tires. They get hard and dry out. I could sing any song i wanted because they hummened so bad.

 

had original tires on my 94 vette. Last year had a flat and discount ruined the tire breaking it off the rim. Told me it was dry rotted. It had plenty of tread but i replaced them all after that. Can't drive the vette without putting my foot into it. Buy the new tires, it will be comforting to know when u blow by me you have good rubber on the ground

 

When I bought my 87 the tires looked like they were new, within the first month I had one let loose on I 95 doing about 80 mph luckily no damage to car but the inside and out side of sidewall was shredded. That afternoon new tires & wheels, to dangerous not having good rubber

 

My 1995 has original runflat Goodyear tires. They look ok but I have watch the grip when the weather turns colder. I probably will replace them soon. These tires are still available from Goodyear. It will be interesting to see the improvement new like tires will bring. I'm thinking of upgrading the wheels as well.