C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Tire Date Code

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2021 | 03:03 PM
  #1  
jdcar32's Avatar
jdcar32
Thread Starter
Advanced
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 78
Likes: 9
From: near Indy
Default Tire Date Code

Bought a '93 coupe with Michelin Pilot Sports but I'm suspicious of their age. The dot codes are 4M 57 002X rear and 4M 4M 001X front. The last four ( circled ) digits don't jive with standard DOT date code designations. Any thoughts ?


UPDATE : I found an inside sidewall code of 5308 so it's off to the tire store ASAP. But, after searching I'm not finding much in the original sizes. Downsizng from 285/255 to 275/245 looks like my only alternative. It would be the first time I've ever bought SMALLER tires! What size/brand C4 tires have you all found and purchased ?
3 Answers
Like
Comment

Last edited by jdcar32; Mar 19, 2021 at 03:55 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2021 | 03:42 PM
  #2  
Cruisinfanatic's Avatar
Cruisinfanatic
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Default

Originally Posted by jdcar32
Bought a '93 coupe with Michelin Pilot Sports but I'm suspicious of their age. The dot codes are 4M 57 002X rear and 4M 4M 001X front. The last four ( circled ) digits don't jive with standard DOT date code designations. Any thoughts ?
Pre 2000. Get them off asap
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2021 | 04:13 PM
  #3  
ChumpVette's Avatar
ChumpVette
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
Default

Originally Posted by jdcar32
Bought a '93 coupe with Michelin Pilot Sports but I'm suspicious of their age. The dot codes are 4M 57 002X rear and 4M 4M 001X front. The last four ( circled ) digits don't jive with standard DOT date code designations. Any thoughts ?


UPDATE : I found an inside sidewall code of 5308 so it's off to the tire store ASAP. But, after searching I'm not finding much in the original sizes. Downsizng from 285/255 to 275/245 looks like my only alternative. It would be the first time I've ever bought SMALLER tires! What size/brand C4 tires have you all found and purchased ?
3 Answers
Like
Comment

Look at the Continental for the original sizing. Otherwise, going to a square setup is best. But you will ideally need to update the front sawbaldes to a wider rim to get the 275 to fit properly.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2021 | 09:58 PM
  #4  
Cruisinfanatic's Avatar
Cruisinfanatic
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Default

Originally Posted by jdcar32
Bought a '93 coupe with Michelin Pilot Sports but I'm suspicious of their age. The dot codes are 4M 57 002X rear and 4M 4M 001X front. The last four ( circled ) digits don't jive with standard DOT date code designations. Any thoughts ?


UPDATE : I found an inside sidewall code of 5308 so it's off to the tire store ASAP. But, after searching I'm not finding much in the original sizes. Downsizng from 285/255 to 275/245 looks like my only alternative. It would be the first time I've ever bought SMALLER tires! What size/brand C4 tires have you all found and purchased ?
3 Answers
Like
Comment
picture?
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2021 | 10:14 PM
  #5  
jdcar32's Avatar
jdcar32
Thread Starter
Advanced
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 78
Likes: 9
From: near Indy
Default

The driver side tires have an incomplete DOT code ( ending 002x / 001x ) where as the pass side tires have the full code ending with a valid date. Don't ask me why. Any how I'll probably go with Nitto 555's because they are affordable and one of the very few offered in the OEM size.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Tire Date Code





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:37 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE