tire question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
tire question
While working on the car this weekend we discovered (now remember I've not had it that long) that my tires don't match!!! 
It seems the former owner may have replaced all but one, which I don't understand, but I've got General's in the rear and right front, and a Goodyear on the left front.
Oddly, the tread on all the tires is pretty good, so I hate to spend money replacing four tires just yet. (I know, don't be cheap, but theres other 'vette stuff to spend my money on)
So the question is three-fold:
1) aside from looking stupid, is there a safety issue with having 3 of one tread design and one of another?
2) If I keep the tires the way they are, am I right that it would be better to have matching tires on the front and put the mis-matched ones on the rear?
3) The tread is good, but not new, if I replace only the one odd tire, the new one will clrealy have mroe tread - is it okay to replace just one?
These are dumb questions I'm sure, but I figured I'd ask before spending $$$$$$
It seems the former owner may have replaced all but one, which I don't understand, but I've got General's in the rear and right front, and a Goodyear on the left front.
Oddly, the tread on all the tires is pretty good, so I hate to spend money replacing four tires just yet. (I know, don't be cheap, but theres other 'vette stuff to spend my money on)
So the question is three-fold:
1) aside from looking stupid, is there a safety issue with having 3 of one tread design and one of another?
2) If I keep the tires the way they are, am I right that it would be better to have matching tires on the front and put the mis-matched ones on the rear?
3) The tread is good, but not new, if I replace only the one odd tire, the new one will clrealy have mroe tread - is it okay to replace just one?
These are dumb questions I'm sure, but I figured I'd ask before spending $$$$$$
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
Some tread patterns track better then others, funnel water better then others, grip better then others,
Not that it will matter at "normal" driving speeds but heat is a factor.
Tire size on miss matched tires is a problem. even one being newer then the other can cause a push or pull in your steering.
spend the money get some tires that are the same
Not that it will matter at "normal" driving speeds but heat is a factor.
Tire size on miss matched tires is a problem. even one being newer then the other can cause a push or pull in your steering.
spend the money get some tires that are the same
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
If the tire sizes are the same and the front 2 have about the same tread left then don't worry about it, but if the tread left is different for the Goodyear and the General, then do as sniperdiver37 says and replace the front 2. The rears are fine, so don't replace them.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
It just occurred to me that the only way this makes sense is if the former owner replaced all four tires but but didn't change out the spare, and then subsequently got a flat and put the spare on. This assumes a full sized spare. I'll have to look when I get home tonight - this might take care of itself. It just makes no sense otherwise that he would have changed three and left one.
With luck the other General is in the spare tire carrier (and useable).
Thanks
With luck the other General is in the spare tire carrier (and useable).
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Originally Posted by sniperdiver37
Some tread patterns track better then others, funnel water better then others, grip better then others,
Not that it will matter at "normal" driving speeds but heat is a factor.
Tire size on miss matched tires is a problem. even one being newer then the other can cause a push or pull in your steering.
spend the money get some tires that are the same
Not that it will matter at "normal" driving speeds but heat is a factor.
Tire size on miss matched tires is a problem. even one being newer then the other can cause a push or pull in your steering.
spend the money get some tires that are the same
and I will also add that General tires suck!!! I'd rather have a set of BFG's that are running on the belts before I take a set of Generals again. While your situation is probably not a big dilema for typical street duty, I would not put any excessive strain on your tires. Personally what I'd do is take a video camera and go to an abandoned parking lot and get some killer video of you boiling the crap out of those hides!!! That is about the only good thing General tires are good for. Oh and make sure to post the video for us to veiw to
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
Originally Posted by kwik_ta
Personally what I'd do is take a video camera and go to an abandoned parking lot and get some killer video of you boiling the crap out of those hides!!! That is about the only good thing General tires are good for. Oh and make sure to post the video for us to veiw to
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I would post this in the tire section and ask Luke (from TireRack) to comment.
I think the bigger issue is the stiffness of the sidewalls. The should be the same on the same end of the car or you good get handling issues.
What is the speed rating of the tires in question? If they are the same, then the frugal part of me says if you are not regularly engaging in spirited driving then don't worry about it. If you are contenplating Auto cross or racing or a lot of aggressive driving on the twisties... get new tires
I think the bigger issue is the stiffness of the sidewalls. The should be the same on the same end of the car or you good get handling issues.
What is the speed rating of the tires in question? If they are the same, then the frugal part of me says if you are not regularly engaging in spirited driving then don't worry about it. If you are contenplating Auto cross or racing or a lot of aggressive driving on the twisties... get new tires
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 1
From: Hartland WI
Originally Posted by rws.1
I would post this in the tire section and ask Luke (from TireRack) to comment.
I think the bigger issue is the stiffness of the sidewalls. The should be the same on the same end of the car or you good get handling issues.
What is the speed rating of the tires in question? If they are the same, then the frugal part of me says if you are not regularly engaging in spirited driving then don't worry about it. If you are contenplating Auto cross or racing or a lot of aggressive driving on the twisties... get new tires
I think the bigger issue is the stiffness of the sidewalls. The should be the same on the same end of the car or you good get handling issues.
What is the speed rating of the tires in question? If they are the same, then the frugal part of me says if you are not regularly engaging in spirited driving then don't worry about it. If you are contenplating Auto cross or racing or a lot of aggressive driving on the twisties... get new tires
D'oh - didn't realize there was a tire section - thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
There is a very good explanation why one tire can be different than the others. It had a flat that couldn't be fixed, the sidewall got punctured, vandalism, etc.
Before I changed my wheels and tires, I had 3 like tires and 1 different. All tread was about the same. I drove like this for a few years with no adverse affects. As long as everything is balanced, aligned, and the tread of all the tires are relatively close to each other, there shouldn't be any problems.
Before I changed my wheels and tires, I had 3 like tires and 1 different. All tread was about the same. I drove like this for a few years with no adverse affects. As long as everything is balanced, aligned, and the tread of all the tires are relatively close to each other, there shouldn't be any problems.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
I wouldn't put General tires on my lawnmower! As soon as you can afford it, get some decent rubber on it. You'll be amazed at the difference in handling. I've got a set of Kumho's on order from TireRack - should be in any day (courtesy of Uncle Sam income tax refund).